Earthquakes are a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of our planet. In a recent series of events, ten earthquakes struck south of Belen, leaving residents like Alberto Thomas shaken and anxious. This cluster of seismic activity is not an isolated incident; it follows a similar pattern of earthquakes that occurred over the past weekend.
The early morning of Wednesday saw a series of tremors, with the first 3.3 magnitude earthquake striking south of Veguita at 3:44 a.m. This was quickly followed by a 3.1 magnitude quake southwest of the initial epicenter, and a 2.6 magnitude earthquake east of Veguita. The shaking continued with a 3.8 magnitude quake west of Veguita, just minutes later.
As the sun rose, the earthquakes persisted, with a 3.5 magnitude quake west of Abeytas and a 2.9 magnitude quake south of Veguita. The tremors seemed relentless, with a 3.2 magnitude earthquake north of Abeytas immediately following. Three more earthquakes were reported later in the day, leaving residents on edge.
Alberto Thomas, a Veguita resident, described the experience as unsettling. He felt the early morning tremors and the subsequent shaking of his home. While the earthquakes didn't cause structural damage, they were strong enough to keep Thomas busy, constantly putting things back in place.
Experts attribute these earthquakes to a body of magma located approximately 12 miles beneath the surface. This magma body, spanning an impressive 1,300 miles, was discovered in the 1960s. Mairi Litherland, from the Albuquerque Seismological Lab with the USGS, explained that such activity is typical for this geological feature.
"With magma bodies, it's common to see earthquakes in swarms, where several quakes occur in a short period. That's exactly what we're witnessing now," Litherland said. She added that the earthquakes could continue over the next few days due to the slow inflation of the magma body, which causes stress in the crust and triggers earthquakes.
Despite the USGS's inability to predict exact earthquake timings, a catastrophic earthquake in the area is considered unlikely. Litherland cited a magnitude six earthquake near Socorro in 1906, a century ago, as an example of the infrequency of such large earthquakes.
However, the potential for a significant earthquake remains, and Litherland advises residents to be prepared. If an earthquake strikes, she recommends the "drop, cover, and hold on" technique: get down to the ground, take cover under a table if possible, and protect your head and neck.
These recent earthquakes serve as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness and the need to stay informed about geological activity in our region. While the likelihood of a catastrophic earthquake is low, the potential impact is significant, and being prepared can make all the difference.
