When investigating the cause of earthquakes, it is common to focus on what lies beneath the surface. Extensive research has shown that tectonic plates and faults are the main culprits. However, a new perspective suggests looking to the skies.
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are proposing that the increasing heavy snow and rainfall linked to climate change could potentially trigger earthquakes globally. Their arguments are supported by recent observations in northern Japan, where a series of earthquakes known as a “swarm” have been occurring since 2020.
The researchers, led by Dr. William Frank, have noted a correlation between heavy precipitation events and the onset of earthquake swarms. This suggests that environmental factors like snowfall can impact the stress levels below the surface, influencing seismic activity.
A study published in the journal scientific progress analyzed seismic patterns in Japan’s Noto Peninsula, which has experienced a high frequency of earthquakes in recent years. The MIT team, in collaboration with Japanese researchers, found a strong association between earthquakes after 2020 and weather conditions, particularly heavy snowfall.
It is believed that snow and rainwater can affect pore fluid pressure underground, influencing how seismic waves propagate. While the study focused on Japan, the researchers warn that climate change could have significant implications on global earthquake activity in the future.
“More extreme precipitation events and changes in climate could alter the loading on the Earth’s crust,” Frank explained. “This could potentially lead to a rise in earthquakes around the world.”
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
