LINE

    Text:AAAPrint
    Sci-tech

    Scientists warns of upsurge in major earthquakes in 2018

    1
    2017-11-21 14:09Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping ECNS App Download

    The number of devastating earthquakes might increase sharply in 2018 due to the periodic slowdown of the Earth's rotation, a new study has revealed.

    The change in the speed of the Earth's rotation is likely to trigger intense seismic activities next year, particularly in the heavily populated tropical regions, according to the study, published recently in the U.S. academic journal Geophysical Research Letters.

    The Earth experiences periodic slowing in the speed of its rotation, which could change the length of the day by a millisecond, and such periods often last about five years.

    Analyzing the Earth's seismic record over the last 100 years, researchers from the Universities of Colorado and Montana found that the periods when the Earth's rotation slowed down were often followed by periods with a significantly increased number of major earthquakes.

    "In these periods, there were between 25 to 30 intense earthquakes a year. The rest of the time the average figure was around 15 major earthquakes a year," said Roger Bilham, one of the study's lead authors.

    This year marks the end of the latest five-year slowdown in the Earth's rotation, thus pointing to an upcoming increase in magnitude 7 or greater earthquakes.

    "The Earth is offering us a five-year heads-up on future earthquakes, which is remarkable," said Bilham.

      

    Related news

    MorePhoto

    Most popular in 24h

    MoreTop news

    MoreVideo

    News
    Politics
    Business
    Society
    Culture
    Military
    Sci-tech
    Entertainment
    Sports
    Odd
    Features
    Biz
    Economy
    Travel
    Travel News
    Travel Types
    Events
    Food
    Hotel
    Bar & Club
    Architecture
    Gallery
    Photo
    CNS Photo
    Video
    Video
    Learning Chinese
    Learn About China
    Social Chinese
    Business Chinese
    Buzz Words
    Bilingual
    Resources
    ECNS Wire
    Special Coverage
    Infographics
    Voices
    LINE
    Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
    Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
    Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
    主站蜘蛛池模板: 长丰县| 柳河县| 新源县| 晋中市| 阳信县| 西安市| 泗阳县| 中西区| 尚义县| 昌宁县| 玉屏| 和顺县| 陵川县| 调兵山市| 常山县| 乐亭县| 寻甸| 天水市| 旬阳县| 佛山市| 黑河市| 巴林右旗| 南召县| 枞阳县| 兴隆县| 平江县| 浦城县| 剑河县| 浙江省| 革吉县| 平顺县| 南充市| 游戏| 自贡市| 昂仁县| 乌鲁木齐县| 安西县| 勐海县| 仁布县| 简阳市| 文昌市|