Mexico Temblor Had Same Level of Shaking as 1994 Northridge Earthquake: Lucy Jones

A USGS map shows the earthquake that struck Mexico late Sept. 7, 2017.

The level of shaking in Mexico in the massive earthquake that struck off southern Mexico was equal to that of the devastating 1994 Northridge quake, L.A. renowned seismologist Lucy Jones said Friday.

The magnitude-8.1 quake struck just before midnight Thursday off the coast of Chiapas, with shaking felt as far away as Mexico City.

As of Friday afternoon, the death toll stood at 58.

@USGS ShakeMap of Mexican M8.2 shows Intensity IX shaking – same as maximum in Northridge 1994 https://t.co/MDae02FYUR

— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) September 8, 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey, where Jones was a seismologist for many years, shows in its ShakeMap “violent” shaking with heavy damage potential at the offshore epicenter. However, the USGS page on the Mexico quake indicates that no one was affected by that level of shaking; about 574,000 people were affected by the next level down, severe.

The shaking value of IX is on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.

A USGS map shows the Jan. 17, 1994, Northridge earthquake.

The magnitude of the Mexico quake is larger than any temblor the country has seen in a century, but the level of shaking experienced is actually less than other lower magnitude but more devastating quakes, Jones told KTLA.

The Jan. 17, 1994, Northridge earthquake was a magnitude-6.7 temblor. It left 60 dead and more than 7,000 injured, and caused destruction around Southern California.

The Mexico quake does not change the chances of the “Big One” hitting California, Jones said.

from KTLA http://ift.tt/2f9cnYO