Do you know why the huge area from Siberia to Alaska is famous for earthquake and tsunami? This area becomes a witness to many earthquakes and sometimes tsunami every year. But why does this happen? A large story of the science and geography of the earth is hidden behind this. Come, let’s understand why this area became such a zone?
Where does this area fall?
Siberia is the northern part of Russia, surrounded by cold Siberian Tundra. Alaska is the most northern state in America, full of icy mountains and forests. The Arktik Ocean and Bering Sea are spread between these two. The entire region falls on the northern edge of the Pacific Ocean, which puts it in the earthquake and tsunami zone. This is called part of scientific ring of fire.
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What is Ring of Fire?
The ring of fire is the part of the Earth, which is spread like a circle around the Pacific Ocean. This area is known for volcanoes and earthquakes. The area from Siberia to Alaska is the northern edge of this circle. Its length is about 40,000 kilometers. It has more than 75% earthquake and 80% volcanoes in this area. So the question arises, why does this happen? Earth’s surface activities are responsible behind this.
Tectonic Plate: Story of Earth’s rocks
The surface of the Earth is made of several large pieces, which are called tectonic plates. These plates slowly collide, slide or press under each other. The area from Siberia to Alaska falls on the border between the Pacific plate and the North American plate. Both these plates slide against each other at a speed of a few centimeters every year.
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- Subdue Zone: The Pacific plate collapses under the North American plate, which is called subduction. In this process, when these plates collide with each other, there is heavy pressure.
- Earthquake: When this pressure increases, the plates suddenly break down or move, causing an earthquake. This area is an earthquake zone because this activity continues to happen here.
For example, A 9.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Alaska in 1964, the second largest earthquake in history.
How does tsunami come?
Tsunami is produced when there is a major change in the sea surface after the earthquake. The area from Siberia to Alaska is also the risk of tsunami due to being along the sea. When the plates are pressed down, there is upheaval in the sea level, causing huge water waves. These waves move rapidly towards the coasts. Can cause havoc.
Example: In 1958, Lituiya Bay, Alaska, had a 524 meter high tsunami after an earthquake, which is considered to be the highest tsunami ever.
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Why is this area special?
- Geological activity: The activity of plates in this area is very sharp, which gives rise to earthquakes and volcanoes.
- Volcano: Alaska has many active volcanoes, such as Mount Redout and Mount Spir, which are the result of plate tectonics.
- Alaska’s earthquake record: Alaska has more than 10,000 earthquakes every year, although most are light.
- Siberia’s contribution: Even in Siberia, earthquakes do not decrease, especially in the eastern part, which brings Russia to this zone.
What does science say?
These plates of the Earth’s surface slide at a speed of 2-5 cm every year. This pace is slow, but brings big changes in millions of years. According to scientists, fault lines (breakdown lines) are very active in the region, which triggers earthquakes and tsunamis.
Monitoring: Nowadays Alaska has special sensors in USGS (US Geological Survey) and Russia, which detect the onset of earthquake.
Climate change: Melting snow from global warming is increasing sea level and pressure, which can further increase the risk of tsunamis.
What is its effect?
- over life: These earthquakes and tsunamis are a threat to local people, fishermen and wildlife.
- economy: Fishing and oil industry is damaged.
- Preparation: Alaska and Russia have now improved the design of better warning systems and buildings.
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