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Why 8.8 magnitude Kamchatka quake is rare but not unusual | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

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Why 8.8 magnitude Kamchatka quake is rare but not unusual

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Earthquake in Kamchatka Peninsula

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East, triggering a tsunami affecting multiple countries across the northern Pacific Ocean.

Seismic Context

  • The Kamchatka earthquake was the strongest since the 9.1 magnitude quake in Japan in 2011.
  • This region falls along the Circum-Pacific seismic belt, commonly known as the "Ring of Fire".
  • The Ring of Fire is responsible for over 80% of the world's largest earthquakes.

Subduction and Earthquake Zones

  • The Circum-Pacific belt is characterized by subduction processes where the Pacific plate subducts under continental plates.
  • This region has experienced more than 130 earthquakes of 7-plus magnitude since 1900.
  • The Alpide belt contributes 15-17% of big earthquakes, spanning from Indonesia to Turkey.
  • The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is another seismic zone but tends to produce moderate earthquakes with minimal impact due to its oceanic location.

Factors Influencing Earthquake Strength

  • Earthquake magnitude is influenced by the length of the fault line; longer fault lines can produce stronger earthquakes.
  • A 9.5 magnitude quake is the strongest recorded, illustrating the limits of current fault lines.
  • Tags :
  • Earthquake
  • Kamchatka Peninsula
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