Seismic activity

6.1 quake off Kamchatka, far east of Russia

24 March, 2013

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of far-eastern Russia early Sunday, the US Geological Survey reported.

The quake, which hit at 0418 GMT at a depth of 9.7 kilometres (six miles), was centred 269 kilometres from the eastern Russian city of Ozernovsky, on the southern tip of the Kamchatka peninsula.

The USGS said an underground formation there called the Kuril-Kamchatka arc is considered one of the most seismically active regions in the world.

Since 1900, seven powerful earthquakes of magnitude 8.3 or greater have occurred along the arc, the USGS said.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130324/61-quake-kamchatka-far-east-russia-usgs

Very Strong earthquake – Vanuatu Islands Region on March 24, 2013

Magnitude : 6.1

Local Time (conversion only below land) : Unknown

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-03-24 08:13:47

Depth (Hypocenter) : 18 km

http://earthquake-report.com/2013/03/24/very-strong-earthquake-vanuatu-islands-region-on-march-24-2013/

Seismic unrest at El Hierro Island (Canary Islands)

The earthquake swarm continues with little changes. Most epicenters have remained in an area at about 15-17 km depth a few km NW off the western tip of the island. Volcanic tremor, suggesting magma movements, is continuous with strong pulses every few hours.

Earthquake count today (only magnitudes >2): 111

Update Sun 24 Mar 11:02

Current tremor amplitude (IGN)

A strong pulse of volcanic tremor has started, accompanied by a 3.2 magnitude quake at 15 km depth at 09:40 GMT.

It seems that magma is continuing to move, and the scenario of a possible new eruption is becoming more and more likely.

Some of the earthquakes listed are quite shallow (few km), but they are most likely a result of tectonic adjustments caused by the ongoing inflation (about 5 cm so far for the western parts of the island).

Update Sun 24 Mar 10:07

The situation has remained stable, tremor has eased a bit, possibly either because the flow of magma has been lower or because its is currently blocked.

- 23 earthquakes (>mag 2) so far today

• earthquake epicenters around 16-17 km, in the same area to the NW of the island's western tip.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/elhierro/current-activity.html