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China's devastating earthquake happens once every 4,000 years, researchers believe

Chinese researchers indicate an earthquake that killed more than 90,000 people in the country is a phenomenon that occurs once every 4,000 years.

The massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake cascaded along numerous faults, after rocks separating faults broke into pieces.  The rock barriers normally are helpful limiting the overall intensity of the earthquake, but last year's earthquake wasn't limited.

Last year's earthquake was China's worst earthquake in more than 30 years.

"The authors find that the stresses that had built up in the Earth's crust in the Sichuan region were sufficiently large for the fault rupture to break through strong seismic barriers," USGS seismic conditions expert Walter Mooney told the AP.  "This resulted in a much larger and more deadly earthquake."

Researchers said that regardless of the possibility of the 4,000-year trend, there was no way the deadly May 12 quake could have been predicted.  The massive quake, which left more than 5M people homeless, struck the towns of Beichuan, Nanba and Yingxiu.

Furthermore, the scientists hope to be able to more accurately predict when big earthquakes occur, which will allow nations to remove as many people as possible away from the earthquake's epicenter.

Japanese researchers also are investing a large amount of time and research to look into earthquake monitoring systems, as the nation is routinely damaged by major quakes.

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where in the cycle?
By Curelom on 10/8/2009 10:42:10 AM , Rating: 3
This article misses one big piece of information. When was the last "big" earthquake? Where is it in the cycle? Is China due for another big one soon or in thousands of years?




RE: where in the cycle?
By Regs on 10/8/2009 11:27:11 AM , Rating: 2
I can't even predict a bowl movement consistantly and they predicting a major earth quake every 4k years?


RE: where in the cycle?
By Curelom on 10/8/2009 11:33:56 AM , Rating: 3
Would the earthquake happen sooner if China plants lots of high fiber crops? ;-)


RE: where in the cycle?
By carniver on 10/8/2009 5:06:19 PM , Rating: 2
And history records didn't even trace back to that many years, not to question their validity or accuracy.


RE: where in the cycle?
By Fallen Kell on 10/9/2009 11:16:11 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
And history records didn't even trace back to that many years, not to question their validity or accuracy.


You don't need written or oral history records to show that major quakes occur every so many years. You simply need to look at the rocks. With a major quake you will see things like plate overlap or debris from one plate being pushed over onto the adjoining plate, which is detectable from core samples or other means.


RE: where in the cycle?
By Yawgm0th on 10/8/2009 11:41:20 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Last year's earthquake was China's worst earthquake in more than 30 years.


The article is referring to last year's big earthquake that killed tens of thousands. I think the author is assuming the reader pays some attention to current events.


RE: where in the cycle?
By Curelom on 10/8/2009 11:45:16 AM , Rating: 2
No, the article specifies that that earthquake was the largest in 30 years, not 4,000. Yes I am up to date on current events.


RE: where in the cycle?
By omnicronx on 10/8/2009 1:11:28 PM , Rating: 2
They just meant on the Richter scale.. I think the phenomenon they are referring to is this.
quote:
The massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake cascaded along numerous faults, after rocks separating faults broke into pieces .
quote:
stresses that had built up in the Earth's crust in the Sichuan region were sufficiently large for the fault rupture to break through strong seismic barriers,"
I don't think this happens every time they have a large quake. Kind of confusing though, the article title kind of makes it out as though the 7.9 last year was the largest in 4000 years.


RE: where in the cycle?
By Seemonkeyscanfly on 10/8/2009 12:08:34 PM , Rating: 2
Number of dead does not always measure up to size and power of an earthquake. A small earthquake at just the right spot and time could kill 10,000 plus, and I watch a program the other day talking about an earthquake that was felt for over 200 miles in any direction but little to no damage was created because only a handful of people live out there.


yep
By MamiyaOtaru on 10/8/2009 8:41:54 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Chinese researchers indicate an earthquake ... is a phenomenon that occurs once every 4,000 years.
...
Last year's earthquake was China's worst earthquake in more than 30 years.

heh
quote:
Researchers said that regardless of the possibility of the 4,000-year trend, there was no way the deadly May 12 quake could have been predicted.
...
Furthermore, the scientists hope to be able to more accurately predict when big earthquakes occur

heh again




Better hope...
By Reclaimer77 on 10/8/2009 4:48:40 PM , Rating: 1
It doesn't hit in the next 4 years. Otherwise there won't be anyone else dumb enough to buy all the debt Obama is racking up.




By amanojaku on 10/8/2009 10:31:21 AM , Rating: 2
Earth quick? What is that, some eco-friendly chocolate drink? ;-)


By tastyratz on 10/8/2009 10:39:28 AM , Rating: 3
nestle pulls worlds largest & deadliest marketing stunt?

and here I was thinking Hawaiian punch was violent.


By Seemonkeyscanfly on 10/8/2009 11:58:36 AM , Rating: 2
I do not function well in the morning.... that was a dumb a** mistake. My bad. Meess Noess not whats happened.


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