What is causing seismicity near Juneau in Southeast Alaska?
The swarm of earthquakes near Mt. Ogden and Wright Glacier, about 40 miles east of Juneau, picked up starting on July 10, 2020… And are probably related to glaciers.
Juneau residents may have felt some of these quakes. And they are probably wondering, why the hell is their city rumbling!
The seismic activity has started on July 10, 2020 and is since then continuous. And seismicity rates of the July 2020 series, for example, have not been observed since 2011–2012.
Glacier or faulting?
Periodic seismicity near Mt. Ogden has been observed since the 1970s, with event rates usually peaking in summer and early fall.
These events tend to cluster near the Speel River, where it drains glaciated areas of Mt. Ogden.
Some of these events reach magnitude 3 level and can even be felt. The levels of activity, however, are not the same every year. Seismicity rates of the July 2020 series, for example, have not been observed since 2011–2012.
Possible explanations for the source of this seismicity are:
- glacier and ice-related dynamics
- faulting on fractures in Earth’s crust
- Some researchers also have noted an increase in activity corresponds with an increase in surface water input.
So, ice or tectonic movements?
First of all, these events have different characteristics than typical tectonic earthquakes observed in Southeast Alaska.
They have emergent (non-impulsive) seismic arrivals and monochromatic waveforms:
- Emergent arrivals tell us that the source of these events has more gradual build up, as opposed to the sudden energy release of a tectonic earthquake.
- Monochromatic waveforms indicate the seismic waves are generated with the presence of fluids.
These events are also highly seasonal, mostly occurring in warmer months when there is more glacial melt and surface water present.
These are the main reasons why most researchers attribute seismic activity near Mt. Ogden to glacial dynamics.
Right: Waveforms of a M3.2 event that occurred on July 17, 2020 near Mt. Ogden. Note the monochromatic character of the waveforms with a very regular period between peaks and troughs. Earthquake Alaska Edu
Glaciers are a well-recognized source of seismic activity in Alaska, with frequent recordings of icequakes in the Prince William Sound region, Icy Bay, and Yakutat Bay.
Moreover, such seismic activity has been observed in other glaciated regions around the globe, such as in Greenland and Antarctica.
On May 28, 2008, Adam LeWinter and Director Jeff Orlowski filmed a historic breakup at the Ilulissat Glacier in Western Greenland. The calving event lasted for 75 minutes and the glacier retreated a full mile across a calving face three miles wide. The height of the ice is about 3,000 feet, 300-400 feet above water and the rest below water.
I doubt such a glacier calving is going to happen near Juneau, Alaska in the next few years… But, in the meantime, people living around this area may feel some strange rumblings and if they do, they may also probably be related to glacier movements.
More strange geology news on Strange Sounds and Steve Quayle. Now if you are looking for supplements to increase your healthy lifestyle and sexlife please visit Natural Health Source. [Alaska.gov]
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The largest glacier in Juneau is the Mendanhall. It’s been retreating. As it retreats it is exposing massive Sitka Spruce tree trunks. Some 3-5 feet in diameter. The trees are not petrified. You can cut and burn them. A large rainforest once existed where there has been until recently, hundreds of feet of ice. What is the scientific norm? A Rainforest or a Glacier? and who deicides which it shall be?
rivers were also flowing in the Sahara desert.