Another, powerful, major quakes, (mag 6 or higher) has struck east of the most volatile seismic area in the world this afternoon, the 3rd major quake in the area since last night. A mag M 6.1, east of Fiji rocked east of an area where almost 200 large aftershocks have occurred in the last seven days after a mag 7.7 and a mag 7.1 struck north and south along the eastern margin of the Australia plate in the South Pacific Ocean. The area has been rumbling for a week now since the two, mag, 7+ quakes rocked the area earlier last week with the aftershocks not appearing to settle down anytime soon.
The latest major quake this afternoon helped continue the incredible seismic February so far with a total of 17 major quakes, mag 6 or higher with all the major quakes occurring along the Pacific Ring Of Fire and 10 of them along the eastern margin of the Australia plate. 2021 has so recorded 29 major quakes so far which is also very impressive considering we are still in the middle of February.
It is still early in the year of course but it is worth noting, in 2020 at this stage, 20 major quakes, mag 6 or higher had been recorded and in 2019, 17. In 2018, 17 and in 2017, just 11. in 2016, 21 and in 2015-11.
According to the USGS, the eastern margin of the Australia plate is one of the most seismically active areas of the world due to high rates of convergence between the Australia and Pacific plates and in the last week. It is worthwhile keeping tabs on this area in the coming weeks because the activity we are seeing could well be the beginning of something much bigger in the near future.
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