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The earthquakes are caused by slip along the thrust fault that forms the contact between the two plates. These interplate earthquakes are the planet's most powerful, with moment magnitudes (Mw) that can exceed 9.0. [1][2] Since 1900, all earthquakes of magnitude 9.0 or greater have been megathrust earthquakes. [3]
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake and tsunami (Spanish: Terremoto de Valdivia) or the Great Chilean earthquake (Gran terremoto de Chile) on 22 May 1960 was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. Most studies have placed it at 9.4–9.6 on the moment magnitude scale , [ 1 ] while some studies have placed the magnitude lower than 9.4.
Peak ground acceleration (PGA) is equal to the maximum ground acceleration that occurred during earthquake shaking at a location. PGA is equal to the amplitude of the largest absolute acceleration recorded on an accelerogram at a site during a particular earthquake. [1] Earthquake shaking generally occurs in all three directions.
First shock in eastern North America with surface faulting 1988-11-25: Saguenay 48.12 -71.18 5.9 M w: VII 1985-12-23: The Nahanni region, Northwest Territories: 62.22 -124.24 6.9 M w: The strongest of a sequence of major earthquakes 1982-01-09 Miramichi, NB 47.00 -66.60 5.7 Doublet (two days apart) [19] 1979-02-28 Southern Yukon–Alaska Border ...
A map of North America's physical, political, and population characteristics as of 2018. North America is a continent [b] in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. [c] North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean.
Millions of minor earthquakes occur every year worldwide, equating to hundreds every hour every day. [15] On the other hand, earthquakes of magnitude ≥8.0 occur about once a year, on average. [15] The largest recorded earthquake was the Great Chilean earthquake of May 22, 1960, which had a magnitude of 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. [16]
Magnitude of the earthquake and aftershocks. The 1994 Northridge earthquake affected the Los Angeles area of California on January 17, 1994, at 04:30:55 PST. The epicenter of the moment magnitude 6.7 (Mw) blind thrust earthquake was beneath the San Fernando Valley. [3] Lasting approximately 8 seconds and achieving the largest peak ground ...
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake (M w 9.5), 1964 Alaska earthquake (M w 9.2), 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake (M w 9.2), and 2011 TÅhoku earthquake (M w 9.0) are recent examples of powerful megathrust earthquakes that generated tsunamis (known as teletsunamis) that can cross entire oceans.