Earthquakes In Diverse Places: Rare M4.6 Quake In The GulF OF Mexico

Rare M4.6 earthquake strikes the Gulf of Mexico off coast of Louisiana near New Orleans

Initially reported as a magnitude 4.9, the earthquake was later downgraded to a 4.6. Up to now, it has been reported by more than 30 people on the USGS website.

There is no tsunami threat, according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System. No damage or injuries have been reported.

M4.9 earthquake hits off the coast of Louisiana, a tsunami is not expected along the gulf coast beaches.

This is something I never thought I’d tweet. https://t.co/E9ahfjR9T5

— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) May 6, 2018

According to the Richter Scale, a quake of the magnitude between 4.0 and 4.9 can cause “Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises in the affected area. It may be felt slightly outside of that area.”

A scientific paper says: ‘The southwestern corner of the Gulf of Mexico (around the Isthmus of Tehuantepec) is exposed to intense deep (> 100 km) seismic activity caused by the subduction of the Cocos Plate. Aside from this, the gulf has been considered a zone of low or no-seismicity. However, a sparse shallow seismic activity is observed across the Gulf of Mexico, even in the most distant areas from the plate boundaries.‘