"Earthquakes Shake Across the US: Experts Warn of Seismic Risks"

In the past week, the United States has experienced a series of notable earthquakes, adding to growing concerns about seismic risk in several regions. According to the United States Geological Survey, one of the most widely felt recent events occurred outside Knoxville, Tennessee, registering a magnitude of 4.1 and shaking a broad area. While considered moderate, this quake was felt as far north as New York and Boston. Earthquake activity in this part of the eastern United States is not unusual but often surprises residents due to its relative rarity and the way seismic waves travel farther in the older, more rigid crust east of the Rocky Mountains, compared to the West Coast. According to coverage on TheEarthMaster, upper four-magnitude earthquakes are among the stronger events typically experienced in this region, but historical records show that the area is not immune to larger quakes. The New Madrid seismic zone remains a particular concern, having produced a series of powerful seven-magnitude earthquakes in the early nineteenth century, while Charleston, South Carolina, has also suffered a major event in the past.

On the West Coast, recent scientific attention is focused on a potential megaquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, stretching from northern California through Oregon and into Washington. Wisconsin Christian News reported new research showing that a magnitude eight or greater quake in this region, while not yet realized, could cause rapid land subsidence of up to six and a half feet within minutes, drastically altering the coastline and exposing millions to immediate flooding. The study's lead author, Tina Dura from Virginia Tech, explained that such an event would bring centuries of anticipated sea level rise in mere minutes. The San Andreas Fault in southern California is also cited as capable of producing significant ground subsidence during a major event, underscoring how seismic hazards are a persistent threat along the entire Pacific margin.

Turning to global activity, according to the latest World Earthquake Report from VolcanoDiscovery, there have been several moderate to strong events worldwide in the last week, including a magnitude 5.2 quake near San Antonio de los Cobres in northern Argentina and a magnitude 6.5 quake in Atacama, Chile. These events are part of what some scientists describe as increased clustering of moderate-to-strong earthquakes along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a pattern noted in recent seismic reports. While the United States has not seen a magnitude 6 or larger event in the past week, the overall seismicity remains a reminder of the country's vulnerability to both moderate felt quakes and the possibility of rare but devastating major earthquakes. Scientists continue to emphasize the importance of preparedness, particularly in zones like Cascadia and New Madrid, where the potential for catastrophic events remains a significant concern.