Climate change is triggering more earthquakes

On Tuesday, a series of devastating earthquakes hit India, Pakistan, and neighbouring Afghanistan, resulting in unprecedented destruction.

According to local media reports, at least nine people were killed and over 160 others were injured in Pakistan when a 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook parts of the country.

The exact cause of these catastrophic natural disasters is not yet known, but there is a growing body of scientific evidence that suggests a link between climate change and an increased risk of earthquakes, as well as other geological events such as tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

There is growing evidence that suggests that climate change may be triggering more earthquakes in certain parts of the world. While the link between the two is complex and not yet fully understood, there are several ways in which climate change may be contributing to an increase in seismic activity.

One way in which climate change may be triggering earthquakes is through the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

As these massive bodies of ice melt, the weight of the water they release is redistributed, which can cause changes in the Earth's crust and trigger earthquakes.

This is because the Earth's crust is constantly under stress, and any changes in weight or pressure can cause it to shift and release built-up energy in the form of seismic waves.

Does global warming cause earthquakes?

In 2012, Bill McGuire, a professor of geophysics and climate hazards at University College London, warned that if a fault is already poised to rupture, even a seemingly insignificant trigger, such as a handshake, can set it off.

McGuire emphasized that changes in the environment, particularly those associated with rapid and accelerating climate breakdown, could easily provide the necessary pressure to cause a fault to rupture.

NASA scientists have confirmed that the retreat of glaciers in Alaska due to global warming has been causing earthquakes in the region over the past few decades. However, the effects of melting glaciers are not limited to the Arctic.

As glaciers melt and redistribute weight across the Earth's crust, the resulting "glacial isostatic adjustment" can cause changes in plate tectonics, potentially leading to an increase in seismic activity, the awakening of dormant volcanoes, and even alterations in the Earth's axis of rotation.

Climate change triggering more earthquakes

Climate change is thought to be triggering more earthquakes through a combination of factors. Some of these include:

• Melting glaciers and ice sheets: As glaciers and ice sheets melt, they release vast amounts of water that redistribute weight on the Earth's crust. This can cause the crust to shift and trigger earthquakes.

• Extraction of oil and gas: Drilling and fracking for oil and gas can create pathways for water and other fluids to seep into the Earth's crust. This can weaken the crust and make it more prone to seismic activity.

• Changes in precipitation patterns: Climate change is causing changes in precipitation patterns, leading to changes in groundwater levels. This can also trigger earthquakes in some areas.

• Rising sea levels: As sea levels rise due to global warming, the increased weight and pressure can cause fault lines to shift and trigger earthquakes.

• Permafrost melting: The melting of permafrost can affect the stability of the ground, leading to more earthquakes.

• Extreme weather events: Large amounts of water movement, such as during floods and landslides caused by extreme weather events, can also trigger earthquakes.

While the link between climate change and earthquakes is not yet fully understood, it is clear that changes in the Earth's natural systems caused by global warming can have significant implications for seismic activity.

Preparing for effects of climate change

Incorporating elements to improve tsunami preparedness should be a vital consideration in many mitigation strategies for climate change.

Such measures might involve incorporating projected sea level rise into tsunami prediction models, as well as building codes for infrastructure along vulnerable coastlines.

Additionally, researchers need to ensure that their scientific models of climate impacts take into account the projected increase in earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity, and the corresponding increased risk of tsunamis.

Keep Reading

• How retreat of Machoi glacier impacting lives in Kashmir?
• Hathiya Kheda: Four Villages In MP Waiting For Roads
• “Give Plastic, Take Gold” Initiative In Sadiwara Village Of Kashmir

Follow Ground Report for Climate Change and Under-Reported issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected].