7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Papua Region, Indonesia – USGS

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the center of Papua, Indonesia in a very remote, mountainous portion of Papua Province at 1:42 p.m. local time (12:42 a.m. EDT) Saturday afternoon, according to the USGS. The earthquake was centered 46.7 miles (75.1 km) below the ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not send out a Pacific-wide/Hawaii tsunami warning, but tsunami warnings were put out for Indonesia and Northern Australia, and Guam was put under a tsunami alert. At the very least, these regions will experience massive coastal flooding.

Within the Last 24 Hours

 The entire planet  is experiencing an uptick in earthquakes and seismic activity. On April 5, 2013 and the day before the Papua 7.0 quake , a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Eastern Russia at the NE China border, followed by a 5.9 quake in the same region. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck New Britain, Papua, New Guinea merely hours before the 7.0 quake in the Papua Province on the western side of the island in Indonesia.

Japan has had four 5.0+ magnitude quakes in the last 24 hours, the Caribbean Sea has had 7 quakes ranging from 2.5 to 3.3 in magnitude, Greece had a 5.3 a few hours after a 5.4 quake rattled Afghanistan and a 5.7 quake shook Myanmar.  South America has seen 6 earthquakes in the last 24 hours between 4.7 and 5.4 in magnitude.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 is a “major” Earth event that can spread widespread destruction. The hundreds of quakes ranging between 4.0 and 6.0 that are occurring today can result in much larger natural disasters yet to come. Keep your eye on LISS and USGS.

Disney Wildlife Preserve Florida, USA on the LISS Seismic Server showing an increase in seismic activity on 4-6-13