Geo-330 M2 Discussion
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Metropolitan Community College, Omaha *
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330
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Geology
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by MrDickButtkiss
According to the USGS earthquake data, Alaska experienced a 4.5 magnitude earthquake in the central south eastern region of the state with several more occurring around the region within the next several hours. At the time, the 4.5 magnitude earthquake was the largest within that time period and the first to occur of the cluster. The epicenter was roughly 58km NE of Teller, Alaska
with a depth of 23.1km and is nearby or perhaps on a strike slip fault. According to the USGS shakemap, this quake established a ‘very strong’ shake rating at its epicenter, dissipating rapidly to a radius of 15 to 20 km where the shake rating appeared to be considered light. ShakeMap
Alaska is extremely prone to earthquakes due to the North American tectonic plate colliding with
the Pacific plate. Considering that the Pacific plate is moving in a northwest direction, these two plates exert a tremendous force on Alaska in a north-south direction which, since the pacific plate is moving westward as well, causes other significant faults to appear that shear a tug southern Alaska westward. This subduction zone between the North American and Pacific plates has created several fault zones further inland as well, which in turn, has enabled a greater variety of earthquake triggers via strike-slip faults, normal faults and thrust faults. (UAF Alaska Earthquake Center, n.d.)
Considering Alaska has the fastest moving underwater tectonic faults in the world with a. slip rate of more than 2 inchers per year, the amount of tectonic movement and consistent pressure is astounding. With the entirety of Alaska being compressed along a plate boundary and the variety
of faults and tectonic movement in the area, it is clear to see just how prevalent earthquakes can be here. (Holcombei, 2018)
Holcombei, Madeline. (2018, December 1). Alaska has the most earthquakes in the us. Here’s why.
CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/01/us/alaska-why-so-many-earthquakes/index.html
UAF Alaska Earthquake Center. (n.d.). Why Earthquakes Happen in Alaska.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Earthquake Center https://earthquake.alaska.edu/earthquakes/about
USGS Earthquake hazards Program. (2024, December 16). ShakeMap.
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ak024qjanyi/shakemap/intensity
What are the workings of the geology that catalyzed this earthquake? In other words, was there an existing fault system? Did the quake occur within a plate boundary? Explain.
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