Send to Kindle
Emil Botev, Head of the Seismology Department at the National Institute in Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BAS. Photo by 24 Chassa
The mechanism of the 5.8 magnitude on the Richter scale earthquake that shook western Bulgaria on May 22 is phenomenal on a global scale.
The explanation was made by the Head of the Seismology Department at the National Institute in Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BAS, Emil Botev, saying that the tearing of the earth layers has been very slow and on a very steep slope.
The expert explained that during the quake the maximum energy of radiation has shifted to very low frequencies of vibration, generating an undulation in space which created the impression that the quake was happening far away and not just kilometers from the western city of Pernik. The lack of significant structure and building damage, compared to the 1986 5.7 on the Richter scale quake in the village of Strazhitsa in central Bulgaria, is also attributed to this mechanism.
Botev further clarifies that according to the magnitude scale, the Pernik shocks are considered a "moderate, not strong earthquake." Shocks from 0 to 3 are classified as micro quakes; from 3 to 4 – very weak; from 4 to 5 – weak, and from 5 to 6 – moderate.
Quakes from 6 to 7 are listed as strong; over 7 – catastrophic; over 8 – devastating, demolishing everything, not just what has been built by people, while those over 9 change in less than a second the period of rotation and the axis of the Earth and the entire landscape, says he.
The epicenter in Pernik is also unique because this is the very first time such strong tremors have been registered in the course of history, on the backdrop of several hundreds of prior weaker shocks that were never felt.
According to the expert, over 100 000 quakes with a magnitude of over 2 points are registered globally each year while 5-6 quakes with a magnitude of over 9 points happen in 100 years.
Some of the strongest earthquakes he mentioned are: 9.5 in 1960 in Chile, 9 in 1964 in Alaska, 9.3 in 2004 in Sumatra, 8.9 in 2010 again in Chile, and 9.1 in 2011 in Japan.
The strongest earthquakes happen through contacts between tectonic plates, which are mainly linked to the Pacific region, explained Botev. He added that these earthquakes produce "fantastic" tsunami waves that cause great devastation.
In Bulgaria, it is assumed that the strongest earthquake occurred in 1904 in the Kresna Gorge near the village of Krupnik. The magnitude was 7.8 on the Richter, the BAS expert reminded.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
The intense earthquake that rattled Taiwan early Wednesday, led to equipment damage at the semiconductor giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)
A powerful earthquake has struck Taiwan, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake
A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck Taiwan's east coast, leaving one person dead and over 50 injured
A pair of powerful earthquakes, registering magnitudes of 5.2 and 5.7, have struck Southwest Greece, sending tremors through the region and triggering concerns over potential damage.
Montenegro was jolted awake by a powerful earthquake in the early hours of this morning, sending shockwaves across the region
Today, Bulgarians mark the anniversary of the nation's deadliest earthquake, the haunting memories of the catastrophic event that struck 47 years ago resurface,
Over the next 24 hours, expect cloudy skies with rainfall across the eastern half of the country, where precipitation may be intense in some areas. Meanwhile, the western half will see clouds clearing during the day, becoming mostly sunny
Overnight, rainfall across the country will temporarily cease, with some areas experiencing breaks in the clouds
Overnight, the precipitation zone will gradually shift eastward, with significant amounts expected in parts of Central and Eastern Bulgaria, accompanied by thunderstorms
Romanian media outlets have reported that storm "Renata" has made landfall in Romania, bringing with it strong winds and heavy precipitation. Following two weeks of record high temperatures, the mercury has plummeted by 15-20 degrees Celsius, as reported
The concluded winter presented unusually elevated temperatures and a 'milder' heating season for thousands of Bulgarians
For the past four years, residents of the picturesque village of Brestovitsa in Plovdiv have been grappling with a troubling issue: muddy water contaminated with manganese flowing from their taps
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022
