Easter Islands

[slim2none]

6 moderate sized quakes in the last 3 days according to USGS list.  I don't recall seeing that many quakes in such a short span for the Easter Islands in past years.

Just a feeling, but looks like it's shaping up for a good sized (7+) shaker in South America, Pacific coastal area very soon IMO (within the week).   

[thirtyhz]

Good catch, s2n.  The Easter Island/Galapagos region is still considered active, but has not produced activity since the late 60's. 

When I put up the Galapagos Quake eq post, I knew something didn't sound right.  I found out why.

This region is VOLCANIC.  Yes, eq activity does accompany volcanic disturbance.  Logical.  But those eq's have a different signal (waveform) than regular quake signature.  As in waveform short=eq.  waveform long=volcanic seismology.

The kicker with this region's activity?  Waveform SHORT, as in ground/subcrustal movement (eq)

This area is not "standard quake" prone, due to depth of crust surface and lack of supporting features (as ocean floor spread zone (fractures).  What could that mean?

The pac plate is center stressed enough to crack/break.  To validate this theory, see the activity at the  transform edges of the Pacific Plate.

(remember Drake Passage and the broken hinge explanation)