More earthquakes are being detected in Arizona than ever before.
That’s because, according to geologists, a statewide network of sensors is recording the most accurate seismological data in the state’s history.
They even measure minor quakes, the faint seismic trembles that we don’t notice.
Listen to the story:
Arizona was once considered a low-risk state for earthquakes, but it’s now ranked 13th for seismic activity.
Seismologists started paying more attention to Arizona after comprehensive surveys a few years ago revealed more geologic instability than previously believed.
An Earthscope engineer installing equipment for a USArray transportable seismometer station.
(Photo courtesy of The IRIS Consortium)
The mobile, three-year USArray survey looked at Arizona earthquakes for three years, using more than 400 sensors. USArray is operated by the National Science Foundation’s seismic observatory Earthscope.
In 2012, Arizona State University’s School of Earth & Space Exploration released a study of the USArray survey, finding nearly 1,000 earthquakes had been measured in three years.
Most were ‘micro-quakes’ of a magnitude of 2.0 or smaller and rarely felt by humans. But a few more significant earthquakes were recorded; a magnitude-5.3 near Flagstaff even caused minor damage.
Arizona’s ‘hot spots’ for seismic activity include the Arizona Strip region northwest of the Grand Canyon, the Mogollon Rim, and around Yuma. Few of the quakes measure a magnitude higher than 3.5.
But a much larger one is possible. In 1887, a massive earthquake struck just south of the Mexico border and caused widespread damage as far north as Phoenix.
Seismologists estimate that it had a magnitude of 7 or higher by today’s measurements.
MORE RESOURCES:
Arizona Earthquake Information Center
University of South Carolina’s Rapid Earthquake Viewer
Arizona seismicity maps:
Approximate location of the epicenters of Arizona’s largest earthquakes. (Graphic courtesy of Arizona Geological Survey)
A map showing seismic events in Arizona over two years. (Graphic courtesy of Arizona Geological Survey)