A Major Earthquake in North America Imminent. within weeks? claims Jim Berkland.

[Al B. Sure!]

Well I did some research and while I saw nothing about the commonality of earthquakes in North America, I found that, according to the National Earthquake Information Center, over the 47 years prior to 2004 (the extent of the data I saw), there have averaged 285 earthquakes of 6.0 or above per year globally.

So yeah just using that fact, I can predict that there will be an earthquake of at least magnitude 6.0 somewhere in North America within the next few weeks... might happen, might not happen, but with 285 per year, why the hell not one somewhere on an entire continent over the next few weeks?

[Docfeelgood]

thats a lot of EQs.

[Al B. Sure!]

Yeah earthquakes are kind of common, apparently.

New prediction: Using data from my analysis of the sun, moon, and stars, I have determined there will be a 'major' hurricane somewhere in the Southern half of North America and the Caribbean during the month of August. Now where's my Fox News spot?

[Dinner]

You can notice trends but that's pretty much useless because you have no way to accurately say when a quake will hit so this is pretty much useless. If you don't know when specifically the quake will hit then you can't give a warning a head of time with any accuracy so this is pointless unless your goal is simply to get ratings by panicking people.

[Al B. Sure!]

You can notice trends but that's pretty much useless because you have no way to accurately say when a quake will hit so this is pretty much useless. If you don't know when specifically the quake will hit then you can't give a warning a head of time with any accuracy so this is pointless unless your goal is simply to get ratings by panicking people.

Yeah 'sometime in the next few weeks somewhere in North America'. Real meaningful warning, right?

[Egbert]

It could be worked up into a good media beatup with a bit of imagination and "artistic license". Get everybody running around in circles, flapping their arms and screaming.

Panic now before it is too late.

[notyoueither]

warning a head

Max Headroom probably couldn't do much about it even if you give him warning. There's that whole apodal thing going on.

[ur32212451]

Well I did some research and while I saw nothing about the commonality of earthquakes in North America, I found that, according to the National Earthquake Information Center, over the 47 years prior to 2004 (the extent of the data I saw), there have averaged 285 earthquakes of 6.0 or above per year globally.

So yeah just using that fact, I can predict that there will be an earthquake of at least magnitude 6.0 somewhere in North America within the next few weeks... might happen, might not happen, but with 285 per year, why the hell not one somewhere on an entire continent over the next few weeks?

Magnitude 6.0 on the Richter Scale is not a significant earthquake. It is equivalent to 15 Kilotons of dynamite being released. Unlike a TNT explosion near the surface of the Earth, An Earthquake's energy comes from deep in the ground and most of a 6.0 Earthquake will be absorbed underground before it reaches the surface.

A 7.0 earthquake is much strong stronger than a 6.0, a 7.0 Earthquake is equivalent to 476 kilotons of Dynamite being exploded. The 8.9 Earthquake that hit Japan was equivalent to about 440 Megatons of Dynamite exploding.

The destructive power of an earthquake is not only related to the seismic movement of the Earthquake, but on the geology of where it strikes. A 7.0 Earthquake in California will be quite a bit less destructive to cities than the same size earthquake occurring on the East Coast of the United States.

[Hauldren Collider]

Oh hey look a new guy with a complicated username! And he seems smart too! Hello!

[Wezil]

Does he have a PhD in earthquakes or is he just a nerd trying to pretend he's smart?

[SlowwHand]

He's new to here, but he's been in the baseball draft. There are a lot dumber people than him spouting off. Maybe you should take notes, HC.

[KrazyHorse]

Does he have a PhD in earthquakes or is he just a nerd trying to pretend he's smart?

[Hauldren Collider]

The destructive power of an earthquake is not only related to the seismic movement of the Earthquake, but on the geology of where it strikes. A 7.0 Earthquake in California will be quite a bit less destructive to cities than the same size earthquake occurring on the East Coast of the United States.

This is also because buildings on the East Coast are not designed to withstand earthquakes.

[SlowwHand]

I think that's part of his point. You don't build something to withstand a rarity.

[KrazyHorse]

Geology and architecture are different fields of endeavor