Wednesday, January 6, 2016

'Is there fear of 8.2 magnitude earthquake in the Himalayan Region?' ....K.J.S.Chatrath



“The Union home ministry's disaster management experts have warned of a bigger catastrophe, earthquakes with a magnitude of 8.2 or greater on the Richter scale which may hit the already ruptured Himalayan region” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Big-earthquake-coming-warn-MHA-experts/articleshow/50460633.cms

In an answer to a question ‘Can you predict earthquakes?’, USGS  (the U.S. Geological Survey, which is a science bureau within the United States Department of the Interior) has explained as follows: “No. Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake. They do not know how, and they do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future. However based on scientific data, probabilities can be calculated for potential future earthquakes. For example, scientists estimate that over the next 30 years the probability of a major EQ occurring in the San Francisco Bay area is 67% and 60% in Southern California. The USGS focuses their efforts on the long-term mitigation of earthquake hazards by helping to improve the safety of structures, rather than by trying to accomplish short-term predictions.” (http://www.usgs.gov/faq/categories/9830/3278)

While this prediction by the MHA may not be taken to create panic, it is best to be alert and ready and take this as a warning to immediately test our preparedness to handle such an eventuality. 

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