May 2008 Commentary

A pair of earthquakes occurred at 09:48 PM (PDT). These events were located about 3 miles SE of The Geysers, CA. The local magnitude of the first event is 3.5. The second earthquake occurred about 6 seconds later and has a moment magnitude, determined at Berkeley, of 4.3. The maximum modified Mercalli intensity was V. Shake Map of instrument intensities measured for this event, is available. ("Did You Feel It?") Map.

A light earthquake occurred at 09:07 PM (PDT). The event was located off the coast about 60 miles WNW of Ferndale, CA. The moment magnitude, determined at erkeley is 4.3. The maximum modified Mercalli intensity was II. ("Did You Feel It?") Map

A major earthquake occurred at 11:28 PM (PDT). The earthquake was located in the Eastern Sichuan Province of China, about 50 miles WNW of Chengdu. The moment magnitude for this event, determined by the U.S. Geological Survey, is 7.9. USGS NEIC information. From early reports distributed by the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, at least 15,000 people killed and severe damage in the Dujiangyan-Mianzhu-Mianyang area. Landslides blocked roads and buried buildings in the Beichuan-Wenchuan area. Felt (VII) at Chengdu, (VI) at Xi'an and (V) at Chongqing and Lanzhou. Felt in much of central, eastern and southern China, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan and in Hong Kong. Also felt in parts of Bangladesh, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

A light earthquake occurred at 10:18 PM (PDT). The event was located off the coast about 150 miles W of Coos Bay, OR. The magnitude of this event is 4.5.