Earthquakes Across Asia in 2011

Time of Earthquakes

Earthquakes are natural phenomena. No one knows when they strike, nobody can prepare. Just recently, the frequency, intensity and magnitude of this natural phenomenon leaves many people wondering. Noticeably, earthquakes have increase in frequency and intensity. While in the year 2010, most of the major earthquakes which caught the headlines happened in the Americas such as the Chilean and Haiti earthquakes. This year however (2011) more earthquakes are happening in the Asian continent. Simultaenously, the volcanoes in the areas have also increased their activity.

An earthquake is one of the natural processes of the earth's evolution. A natural way to release pressure from it's hot inner core. The reason why we fear them so much is because there's just nothing human technology can do to predict when they're coming and more so, no one can prevent them from happening either. Loss of lives and property are common during earthquakes. People who became victims are most often buried under the rubles of buildings, houses and other structures not able to withstand the tremors ans shaking caused by an earthquake.

Here is a rundown of the earthquakes which strike the Asian region just his year. As you can see, the first quarter is not even over yet, and people is certain areas have already two devastatiing earthquakes, the one in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the more recent, in Japan on March 11, 2011. Still, minor earthquakes have been recorded in other areas in the region like Indonesia, Philippines but have not been in the headlines, thank God, since there were no casualties or major structural damage were caused.

A series of powerful 8.9 quakes hit Sendai, Japan, just off the northeast coast causing 10-meter wall of tsunami to rumble into the plains and farmland near the city. The quake is even felt as far as Tokyo, Japan where tall buildings shook causing some people to run out of them. Death toll already reached 390 as of this date, while more than 800 are reported missing (CNN News update). Tsunami alert has been issued in several neighboring countries. Many aftershocks were felt even a few hours after the earthquake. Communication lines in and out of the affected areas are down while millions of homes are left without electricity. Chilling videos of debris-filled waves swept over large tracts of farmland, cars, and homes spread over the internet.

Earthquakes particularly massive ones regularly occur in this country which lies in the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire", a seismologically active area but the recent activity has caused a considerable amount of destruction. Experts are however quick to point out that the Christchurch and Japan earthquake are no way related to each other. This despite the fact that both are in the "Pacific Ring of Fire."

The massive 7.2 quake occurred during lunchtime in busy Christchurch. It originated from 3 miles deep hence the resulting damage to more buildings in the city. Many are trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Even the city's landmark Christchurch Cathedral was not spared when its spire broke and hurtled to the square directly below it. Survivors described the quake tore their city and made it look like a warzone. One of the deadliest quake to hit New Zealand took 145 dead in its aftermath. New Zealand also lie on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and on the boundary of major tectonic plates, the Pacific and Indo-Australian.

In the collapsed CTV Building where a hundred is believed to have been trapped under its ruble, city officials quoted that the building is unsurvivable.

The central part of Indonesia was shook by a 6.6 quake on early Friday, March 11, the same day the 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Sendai, Japan. The quake originated from the deeper part of the earth hence no tsunami was generated. The tremors even reached the island of Bali.

6.6 in Jolo, Feb. 11, 2011

The small province as rocked by a 6.6 magnitude quake right before midnight. No reported casualties nor property damaged.

Baguio City, Feb. 18. 2011

Magnitude 5 earthquake was felt in the upper city of Baguio in the Philippines. It can be recalled that on July 16, 1990 a massive 7.8 earthquake struck Baguio city killing more than 1200 people, with double the number of injured and billions of property damaged. This time there werre no reported casualties and property damage.

Manila and Luzon areas, Feb. 22, 2011

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake tectonic in origin rocks Manila, the capital city of the Philippines and other parts of Luzon. The quake was categorized as moderate. No reported casualties and property damages resulted. (Source: ABS CBN News online)

The next major and unanswerable question is, where's the next big one and when a major quake will strike again. No one knows for sure. While people remain hopeful that it will never occur again, earthquakes are a fact of life. Though one can never prepare for it, it helps to be aware somehow be ready and prepare for this eventuality.

• Volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire (Asia)