The news is reporting so many “aftershocks” after the main earthquake that happened in Northern Pakistan.
Now, I look at the term “aftershocks” and dismiss the term. But these aftershocks are actually earthquakes. And the number of earthquakes that have followed the main quake are weird.
The news was reporting that since last Friday there have been pentees earthquakes, or “aftershocks”.
People living there are also claiming that the end of the world is coming near since they are reportedly seeing sparks of lightning coming from the mountain areas when these “aftershocks” happen.
I am not familiar with the scientific background behind all of this, and I’ve heard from a rusty source that “research” is being done in the area to investigate why there are so many earthquakes happening in Pakistan after the main quake. One person I spoke to said this is a normal occurrence, after such a heavy earthquake. Another source said its not a normal occurrence.
Can anyone shed any scientific light on this? Please note the term “scientific”. I don’t want any “Well, my husband’s taaya’s bhanjee told ME…”
those are not after shocks. those are earthquakes. atershocks gradually reduce but there were quakes of lower magnitude and then there were quakes with higher magnitude after that too..
Last week when I contacted Pakistan, I found out that there had been close to 900 of such shocks since after Oct 8th.
nah AQ - the news calls them "aftershocks" and then says they were like a 4 or 5 on the scale. Either the news is not using the term "aftershocks" properly or I'm mistaken in thinking that 4 or 5 on the scale = earthquake.
that's what I am saying, news call it wrong. they are not aftershocks. they are earthquake of different scale. atleast, that's what I have been able to confirm from some of the geologist friends back home. Allah knows best.
Technically, any tremor of the intensity lower than the original jolt is an aftershock and not an earthquake, as long as it has been caused by the same seismic activity that caused the original quake. Aftershocks are not rare. There had been more than 950 (?) aftershocks until a couple of days ago. There are a couple of ‘laws’ that describe the frequency and intensity of aftershocks. In simple words, the frequency and magnitude decrease with time. The higher the intensity of the quake, the higher is the number and magnitude of aftershocks.
Are these aftershocks that we’re facing in Pakistan rare? Honestly, I don’t know. I haven’t come across any analysis of the issue. But, the severity of the quake has to be kept in mind. The earth takes time to settle down. Let’s hope it doesn’t get ‘unsettled’ again. Anyways, I’m no expert.
I don’t know if the world is going to end tomorrow or after a billion years, but, if there’s any credible evidence of these ‘sparks’, then it should be investigated.
I am sketchy on the details but this is a well known phenomenon preceding earth quakes and is caused by rubbing of tectonic plates which results in generation of +/- voltages in the quartz crystals in the rocks. These “sparks” and flying sparks have been reported in Japan & Mexico too.
Well, I agree, in a sense, even these aftershocks are ‘earthquakes’, especially when they have such high magnitude and, more importantly, if they have potential to cause any damage to life or the property of the people. People need to be careful, but being panicky or spreading rumors could be counterproductive. But, yes, people need to be careful. No doubt about that. I was reading some APP news today according to which China is going to help Pakistan set up a ‘forewarning system’. Now I don’t know what kind of forewarning system they’re talking about. I mean you can ‘predict’ quakes, but in very vague terms and with not very high accuracy about the exact time period. Let’s say they can predict a ‘Big one’ in California within 25 or 50 years. (I don’t remember the exact period.) But there’s no high precision really. All you can do is be prepared and make appropriate changes and adjustments so you’re not caught completely off guard. So what exactly is a forewarning system that they’re talking about here?
Strictly aftershocks are also earthquakes and follow most major earthquakes; they can number in the thousands over weeks/months after the main earthquake. Earthquakes occur at plate boundaries, aftershocks are associated with re-alignment of lineaments and faults in the earthquake zone.
There have been numerous 4.0-5.0 strength aftershocks since the main earthquake in Pakistan, numerous could follow. These can be as destructive as the main earthquake in some circumstances as already weakened structures (buildings, slopes, and cliffs) become increasingly unstable and collapse.
This was a big one in Pakistan; I am more inclined to believe the Japanese observatory that had it at 7.9 at least and not the more conservative USGS rating of 7.6.
To put these smaller earthquakes into perspective the 5.5 that occurred in Pakistan yesterday would be considered a major event in most countries if centred on a large city or built up area.
May Allah protect the living helpless and show mercy on dead.
