In addition to plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, and meteorite impacts, storms can also trigger earthquakes. This newly discovered phenomenon of “stormquakes” has caused approximately 10,000 tremors in the seas around North America in the last 15 years alone. According to scientists at Florida State University, strong storms can cause earthquakes. The researchers analyzed seismic ocean network data from various ocean regions over 15 years to investigate whether the earthquakes triggered by Hurricane Sandy were an isolated incident. They found that stormquakes occur frequently and have caused approximately 10,000 earthquakes in the seas around the North American continent in 15 years.
The scientists were able to identify stormquakes by looking for tremors that differ in sequence and shape from conventional earthquakes. They found that stormquakes can last for several days and often occur together with Rayleigh waves. The researchers also discovered that stormquakes are not primarily dependent on the strength of the storm, but are influenced by the topography of the seabed. Stormquakes occur particularly frequently in regions with shallow seabeds, such as the Gulf of Mexico and the coasts of Florida and New England.
The discovery of stormquakes highlights that earthquakes can also occur in the ocean, not just in the Earth’s crust. Further studies are needed to answer the remaining questions and explain which waves precisely transfer the energy of the storm to the seabed and which structures trigger strong stormquakes. The existence of stormquakes was previously unknown in geology, and this new phenomenon could have implications for earthquake monitoring and prediction.
