Eruption and earthquakes at San Cristobal

Eruptions and earthquakes go hand-in-hand a lot of the time. It only makes sense as magma needs to move under the crust, causing movement (i.e., earthquakes). Additionally, any sort of explosions caused by the release of volatiles might cause earthquakes or even the collapse of an edifice (which in turn, shakes the earth).

So, it is not surprising that the current eruption at San Cristobal in Nicaragua has produced earthquakes. The reports are relatively lacking in details, but San Cristobal is a typical Central America stratovolcano that produces frequent Strombolian style eruptions, which is likely the case here.

More like this

LAT LON MAG DEPTH km REGION
22-NOV-2008 23:06:48 -37.16 -94.81 5.7 10.0 WEST CHILE RISE

"Eruptions and earthquakes go hand-in-hand a lot of the time. It only makes sense as magma needs to move under the crust, causing movement (i.e., earthquakes)."

Is the movement of magma producing the recent stonger quakes near Chaiten?

Is there a good public source of earthquake information in South America?
I am particularly interested in the Chaiten area right now

The USGS site doesn't show earthquakes unless they are at least a 4.0

appreciate whatever anyone can tell me.

By Thomas Donlon (not verified) on 23 Nov 2008 #permalink

Thomas Donion, this is not exactly what you want but it is better than a list that only shows 4.0 This link shows world quakes as small as 2.6.

Have to sort out the non Chaiten ones.

Thought that at one time one could select the minimum size of the quakes one wanted to see but have been unable to find this feature, if it ever existed.

I appreciate your effort George. You may have forgot to paste in the link. I've often done that too.

Best to you,
tom

By Thomas Donlon (not verified) on 01 Dec 2008 #permalink