A year after the August 23, 2011 Virginia earthquake, USGS geologist Dr. Mike Blanpied discusses whether a similar event could occur again in the region in the near future, and in an earthquake, what you can do to stay stay safe.
Why are we having so many earthquakes? Has naturally occurring earthquake activity been increasing? Does this mean a big one is going to hit? OR We haven't had any earthquakes in a long time; does this mean that the pressure is building up for a big one?
A temporary increase or decrease in seismicity is part of the normal fluctuation of earthquake rates. Neither an increase nor decrease worldwide is a positive indication that a large earthquake is imminent.
The ComCat earthquake catalog contains an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years--not because there are more earthquakes, but because there are more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes.
The National Earthquake Information Center now locates about 20,000 earthquakes around the globe each year, or approximately 55 per day. As a result of the improvements in communications and the increased interest in natural disasters, the public now learns about earthquakes more quickly than ever before.
According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year. That includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 40-50 years, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes about a dozen times.
The year with the largest total was 2010, with 23 major earthquakes (greater than or equal to magnitude 7.0). In other years the total was well below the annual long-term average of 16 major earthquakes. 1989 only had 6 major earthquakes and 1988 only had 7.
Learn more: Earthquake Lists, Maps and Statistics
Related
Can you predict earthquakes?
Can animals predict earthquakes?
Can "MegaQuakes" really happen? Like a magnitude 10 or larger?
Can some people sense that an earthquake is about to happen (earthquake sensitives)?
Can the ground open up during an earthquake?
Will California eventually fall into the ocean?
Is there earthquake weather?
Do solar flares or magnetic storms (space weather) cause earthquakes?
Are earthquakes associated with variations in the geomagnetic field?
A year after the August 23, 2011 Virginia earthquake, USGS geologist Dr. Mike Blanpied discusses whether a similar event could occur again in the region in the near future, and in an earthquake, what you can do to stay stay safe.

A map of ShakeOut scenario shaking in southern California.
A map of ShakeOut scenario shaking in southern California.
Listen to hear the answer.
Earthquake outlook for the San Francisco Bay region 2014–2043
Fundamental questions of earthquake statistics, source behavior, and the estimation of earthquake probabilities from possible foreshocks
Earthquake hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone remains a concern
The Hayward Fault— Is it due for a repeat of the powerful 1868 earthquake?
Monitoring earthquakes across the United States
Forecasting California’s earthquakes
Related
Can you predict earthquakes?
Can animals predict earthquakes?
Can "MegaQuakes" really happen? Like a magnitude 10 or larger?
Can some people sense that an earthquake is about to happen (earthquake sensitives)?
Can the ground open up during an earthquake?
Will California eventually fall into the ocean?
Is there earthquake weather?
Do solar flares or magnetic storms (space weather) cause earthquakes?
Are earthquakes associated with variations in the geomagnetic field?
A year after the August 23, 2011 Virginia earthquake, USGS geologist Dr. Mike Blanpied discusses whether a similar event could occur again in the region in the near future, and in an earthquake, what you can do to stay stay safe.
A year after the August 23, 2011 Virginia earthquake, USGS geologist Dr. Mike Blanpied discusses whether a similar event could occur again in the region in the near future, and in an earthquake, what you can do to stay stay safe.

A map of ShakeOut scenario shaking in southern California.
A map of ShakeOut scenario shaking in southern California.
Listen to hear the answer.