Global Seismic Activity Spikes: 6.6-Magnitude Quake Hits Southeast Indian Ridge

The earth has been anything but quiet this week.

On Wednesday, April 16, a powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake was recorded on the Southeast Indian Ridge, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). No reports of it being felt on land have surfaced so far, and no immediate damage or tsunami threat has been issued.

Though remote, this seismic event adds to an unusually active period of global tectonic movement. Just two days earlier, on April 14, Southern California experienced a series of quakes beginning with a 5.2-magnitude tremor centered near Julian in San Diego County. That quake was felt across a wide area, including Orange County, Temecula, and the Inland Empire. The USGS received more than 41,000 responses from people who reported experiencing the shaking.

The 5.2-magnitude event in Julian was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 4.0-magnitude quake later that day. At least seven aftershocks were recorded in the immediate aftermath, keeping residents on edge throughout the day and into the evening.

These earthquakes occurred in the shadow of two other significant seismic events. On Sunday, April 13, a 6.5-magnitude quake was reported south of the Fiji Islands, centered deep underground at a depth of 174 kilometers (108 miles). That same day, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Burma (Myanmar), centered in Meiktila at a shallow depth of 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles).

While none of these quakes have resulted in large-scale destruction, the pattern underscores the volatile nature of tectonic activity and the interconnectedness of fault systems worldwide. Scientists continue to monitor the situation closely as aftershocks and related tremors remain a possibility in all the affected regions.

Stay informed. Stay safe.

Source: Fox Sports Radio