Between 2006 and 2007, the Kuril Islands experienced two earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 8.0. What was different about the fault movement of these two events? The Different Fault Movement of Two 8+ Magnitude Earthquakes in the Kuril Islands (2006-2007)

The Different Fault Movement of Two 8+ Magnitude Earthquakes in the Kuril Islands (2006-2007)

In 2006 and 2007, two earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 8.0 occurred in the Kuril Islands. Both earthquakes occurred on the same subduction zone, but their fault movement was different. According to the “Kuril Islands Earthquake of November 2006” report, the first earthquake had a magnitude of 8.3 and occurred on November 15, 2006. It was a thrust fault earthquake, meaning that the crustal plate moved up and over the plate below it (“Kuril Islands Earthquake”). The second earthquake, which occurred on January 13, 2007, had a magnitude of 8.1. This event was a strike-slip earthquake, meaning that the two plates moved horizontally past each other (“Kuril Islands Earthquake of January 2007”). The difference in fault movement was due to the subduction angle. The 2006 earthquake occurred at a shallow angle, which made it more likely to be a thrust fault event. In contrast, the 2007 earthquake occurred at a steep angle, which made it more likely to be a strike-slip event (“Kuril Islands Earthquake”). Cont…