Since October 9, seismologists have recorded a wave of more than 100 tremors clustered in a single area.
In a seismic burst, Death Valley has experienced 130 earthquakes since October 9, a spike that has scientists on edge. Experts warn that these tremors could indicate a much larger earthquake the Daily Post.
The first tremors were observed on October 9 in Death Valley, California. Since then, the region has experienced a total of 130 earthquakes, the most significant of which occurred on October 25, with magnitudes of 4.7 and 4.5, reports Elizabeth Cochran, a geophysicist. with the US Geological Survey.
Despite the series of shocks, no damage has been reported to Death Valley National Park or surrounding communities. However, the intensity and frequency of these tremors have scientists concerned about the possibility of a major earthquake happening soon.
While clusters of earthquakes – also called ‘swarms’ – are not uncommon, they do cause alarm when they occur along the highly active Death Valley fault system, which is known for causing earthquakes up to magnitude 7.
Kristi Rowe, director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno, notes that she and her team are closely monitoring these tremors because of their potential impact on the Las Vegas Valley.
Activity spiked significantly on October 25, when a magnitude 4.2 earthquake shook the area. This was quickly followed by the strongest earthquake yet, a magnitude 4.7 quake, and later that day another large earthquake of magnitude 4.5.
Rowe says earthquake swarms are common in Nevada, but the frequency and intensity of this swarm have scientists concerned that larger earthquakes could follow. Death Valley has a history of major seismic events, including a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in 2019 that left a large rift in the California desert.
The most powerful earthquake in the area in the past 20 years was a magnitude 6.4, which caused 28 additional earthquakes of 4.5 or higher in the following days.
Death Valley lies atop three major fault lines:
Northern Death Valley Fault Zone (NDVFZ)
Black Mountain Fracture Zone (BMFZ)
South Death Valley Fault Zone (SDVFZ)
Clusters of earthquakes in California often raise new concerns about the “Big One,” a hypothetical large-magnitude earthquake that experts warn could strike at any time along the San Andreas Fault.
