Department or Administrative Unit
Geological Sciences
Document Type
Article
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Author Copyright
© 2022 Bilham, Szeliga, Mencin and Bendick.
Publication Date
2022
Journal
Frontiers in Earth Science
Abstract
Three quarters of all Mw ≥ 6.6 earthquakes and volcanic eruptions surrounding the Caribbean plate occur preferentially during periods of decadal minima in Earth’s angular spin velocity. This correlation is revealed most clearly as a 4–6 years phase lag following the first derivative of the length of the day (LOD), Earth’s angular deceleration. We show that local strains and displacements resulting from oblateness changes, or plate boundary stresses associated with changes in tropical rotation rates are orders of magnitude lower than those typically associated with earthquake or volcano triggering. Notwithstanding the absence of a satisfactory causal physical mechanism, the relationship permits decadal trends in Caribbean tectonic hazards to be anticipated many years before their occurrence. The next period of increased tectonic activity in the Caribbean, corresponding to a probable slowing in Earth’s spin rate, will occur in the decade starting on or about 2030.
Recommended Citation
Bilham, R., Szeliga, W., Mencin, D., & Bendick, R. (2022). Increased Caribbean seismicity and volcanism during minima in Earth’s rotation rate: Search for a physical mechanism and a 2030 forecast. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10, 1041311. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.1041311
Comments
This article was originally published open access in Frontiers in Earth Science. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.