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A strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck 18 km SSW of Leilani Estates, United States on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 10:32:54 PM UTC. This shallow crustal event (5.8 km depth) released energy equivalent to approximately 338 kt of TNT. Here is the verified HV telemetry, live epicenter map, and ground shaking assessment.
(18 km SSW of)6.9MW
Strong Seismic Class
5.8km
Crustal Layer
19.318° N, 155.000° W
GPS Coordinates
338 kt
TNT Equivalent Power
HV
USGS Real-time Feed
A magnitude 6.9 event is classified as a strong earthquake. Can be destructive in populated areas up to ~160 km from the epicenter. Well-built structures withstand shaking, but unreinforced masonry may suffer serious damage.
Considerable damage in ordinary buildings with partial collapse; heavy furniture overturned.
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Earthquake strength is measured on a logarithmic scale. Compare this event with the full seismic scale:
Because seismic scales are logarithmic, each whole integer increase represents:
United States's seismicity is fundamentally governed by its tectonic setting: Pacific Plate sliding past North American Plate along San Andreas; Juan de Fuca subducting along Cascadia; Pacific subduction along the Aleutian Trench. Major regional fault structures include San Andreas Fault System, Cascadia Subduction Zone, Aleutian Megathrust, Hayward Fault, New Madrid Seismic Zone.
Originating at a depth of 5.8 km (Earth's Crust (0–70 km)), this rupture occurred occurred within the brittle upper crust. shallow earthquakes produce the highest peak ground acceleration and the sharpest surface shaking.
Following an earthquake of magnitude 6.9, an active aftershock sequence is expected over the coming days and weeks. In accordance with Omori's Law and Båth's Law of seismology, secondary tremors decrease in frequency over time, with the largest expected aftershock historically averaging approximately 1.0 to 1.2 magnitude units below the mainshock. Local residents should remain vigilant for secondary shaking, particularly when inspecting older structures or unreinforced masonry.
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