Special Earthquake Events

IRIS features special earthquake event pages to provide useful resources for the science community and the general public. These "Special Event" pages highlight earthquakes that had a major effect on a population or have some other unique scientific significance.

2006

Magnitude 7.1 - TAIWAN REGION

A major earthquake occurred 90 km (55 miles) SSE of Kao-hsiung, Taiwan and 795 km (495 miles) N of MANILA, Philippines at 6:26 AM MDT, Dec 26, 2006 (8:26 PM local time in Taiwan).

The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available.
(source: USGS report, 2006 December 26 ) 
Read more >>

Maps (USGS)

Seismograms (Rapid Earthquake Viewer)

Powerful quake strikes off Taiwan (KOMO TV)

Magnitude 8.3 - KURIL ISLANDS

A great earthquake occurred 495 km (305 miles) SSW of Severo-Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands, Russia and 1665 km (1030 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan at 5:14 AM MDT, Nov 15, 2006 (10:14 PM local time in Russia). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available.

No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time; however, this earthquake may have caused substantial damage and casualties due to its location and size. Earthquakes of this type sometimes cause tsunamis, however the USGS has no information that an actual tsunami has been generated. For information about tsunamis, contact the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at http://tsunami.gov. The magnitude was furnished by the Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. (source: USGS revised report, 2006 November 15 11:14:16 UTC) 
Read more >>

Maps (USGS)

Theoretical P-Wave Travel Times (USGS)

Seismograms (Rapid Earthquake Viewer)

View data via Wilber II (IRIS)

Record Section Plot

click to view

This record section plot displays vertical displacements of the Earth's surface recorded by seismometers plotted with time (since the earthquake initiation) on the horizontal axis, and vertical displacements of the Earth on the vertical axis. The traces are arranged by distance from the epicenter in degrees.

The earliest, lower amplitude, signal is that of the compressional (P) wave, which takes about 22 minutes to reach the other side of the planet (the antipode). The largest amplitude signals are seismic surface waves which reach the antipode after about 100 minutes. (Source: IRIS Education & Outreach)

View Record Section Plot >>

Magnitude 6.7 - ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII

A strong earthquake occurred about 10 miles (15 km) north-northwest of Kailua Kona or 65 miles (100 km) west of Hilo, Hawai`i at 11:07 AM MDT, Oct 15, 2006 (7:07 AM HST in Hawaii). Numerous people suffered minor injuries, many buildings damaged and landslides blocked roads on Hawai`i. Power outages occurred throughout the Hawaiian Islands. (source: USGS)  Read more >>

Maps (USGS)

Theoretical P-Wave Travel Times (USGS)

Seismograms (Rapid Earthquake Viewer)

View data via Wilber II (IRIS)

Record Section Plot

click to view

This record section plot displays vertical displacements of the Earth's surface recorded by seismometers plotted with time (since the earthquake initiation) on the horizontal axis, and vertical displacements of the Earth on the vertical axis. The traces are arranged by distance from the epicenter in degrees.

The earliest, lower amplitude, signal is that of the compressional (P) wave, which takes about 22 minutes to reach the other side of the planet (the antipode). The largest amplitude signals are seismic surface waves which reach the antipode after about 100 minutes. (Source: IRIS Education & Outreach)

View Record Section Plot >>

Volcanic and Seismic Hazards on the Island of Hawaii (USGS)

The Island of Hawaii experiences thousands of earthquakes each year; most are so small that they can only be detected by instruments, but some are strong enough to be felt, and a few cause minor-to-moderate damage. Most of Hawaii's earthquakes are directly related to volcanic activity and are caused by magma moving beneath the earth's surface. Read more >>

Magnitude 4.2 - NORTH KOREA

A light earthquake occurred 70 km (40 miles) N of Kimchaek, North Korea at 01:35:27 (UTC), October 9, 2006 (Oct 9 at 10:35:27 AM local time in N Korea). (source: USGS)  Read more >>

Theoretical P-Wave Travel Times (USGS)

Seismograms of the Magnitude 4.2 event in North Korea on Monday, October 9, 2006 (source: IRIS Data Management Center)

View data via Wilber II

Locations and seismic data

click to enlarge plot

Locations and seismic data from nearby seismic stations from the IRIS/USGS Global Seismic Network and the New China Digital Seismograph Network. The seismic traces are arranged by increasing distance from the source and the data have been be high pass filtered at 4 Hz. (Source: IRIS)

2006 South of Java Earthquake

A major earthquake occurred 225 km (140 miles) NE of Christmas Island or 355 km (220 miles) S of Jakarta, Java, Indonesia at 2:19 AM MDT, Jul 17, 2006 (3:19 PM local time in Indonesia).

Java Earthquake of 17 July 2006 - Magnitude 7.7  (USGS)

Seismograms of the Java Earthquake (Rapid Earthquake Viewer)

2006 Java Earthquake

A strong earthquake occurred IN JAVA, INDONESIA about 25 km (15 miles) SSW of Yogyakarta or about 440 km (275 miles) ESE of JAKARTA at 4:54 PM MDT, May 26, 2006 (May 27 at 5:54 AM local time in Java, Indonesia).

Java Earthquake of 26 May 2006 - Magnitude 6.3 (USGS)

Java Earthquake Summary Poster (USGS)

Seismograms of the Java Earthquake (Rapid Earthquake Viewer)

2006 Tonga Earthquake

A great earthquake occurred about 160 km (100 miles) NE of NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga at 9:26 AM MDT, May 3, 2006 (May 04 at 4:26 AM local time in Tonga).

Tonga Earthquake of 3 May 2006 - Magnitude 7.9 (USGS)

Tonga Earthquake Summary Poster (USGS)

2006 Mozambique Earthquake

A major earthquake occurred IN MOZAMBIQUE, about 220 km (140miles) SW of Beiraor about 530 km (330 miles) N of MAPUTO at 3:19 PM MST, Feb 22, 2006 (Feb 23 at 12:19 AM local time in Mozambique). This is believed to be the largest earthquake on record in this general area.

Mozambique Earthquake of 22 February 2006 - Magnitude 7.0 (USGS)

Mozambique Earthquake Summary Poster (USGS)

2006 Banda Sea Earthquake

Poster of the Banda Sea Earthquake of 27 January 2006 - Magnitude 7.6 (USGS)

Seismograms of the Banda Sea earthquake (Rapid Earthquake Viewer)

South Latitudes and West Longitudes are indicated by NEGATIVE numbers.

Source: USGS - Earthquakes Magnitude 7.0 and Greater in 2006

About IRIS | Members | Programs | USArray | Seismic Monitor | Earthquakes | SeismoArchives
Mailing Lists | Stations | Data | Software | Publications | News | Contact | Site Map | Search