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Today in Earthquake History

Today in Earthquake History

Today's Earthquake Fact:
The oldest rocks on Earth are found on land. Since the ocean floor is being continually regenerated as the continental plates move across the Earth's surface, the oldest rocks on the ocean floor are less than 300 million years. In contrast, the oldest continental rocks are 4,500 million years old.

February   21

Note: All earthquake dates are UTC, not local time.


Year Location Magnitude Comment
1916 Near Waynesville, North Carolina

Epicenter
5.2 The largest historical earthquake in North Carolina.
1991 Bering Sea

Epicenter
6.7 Two events about 3.7 seconds apart. Believed to be the largest earthquake ever located in this area. Felt (IV) on St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands, Alaska. Felt (III) on Adak in the Andreanof Islands, Alaska. A small tsunami was generated with maximum wave heights (peak-to-trough) of 30 cm. at Dutch Harbor and 22 cm at Adak.
From Significant Earthquakes of the World 1991.
1996 Off Coast of Northern Peru

Epicenter
7.5 Four fishermen killed near Chimbote and three others missing near Callao from a regional tsunami. Two people injured at Coishco. About 150 beach huts, some homes and small boats were destroyed by waves in the Chimbote area. Felt (IV) at Chimbote and Huarmey; (III) at Casma; (II) at Huacho and Huaraz.
From Significant Earthquakes of the World 1996

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