Earthquake news & latest pictures from ibtimes.com

An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor, or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known as a seismograph. The moment magnitude (or the related and mostly obsolete Richter magnitude) of an earthquake is conventionally reported, with magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly imperceptible and magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas. Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale.

Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, Earthquakes Likely Unrelated

It's unlikely that the hurricanes in the Atlantic had anything to do with the earthquakes in Los Angeles or Mexico.

Senkaku Islands Dispute May Hurt Japan?s Recovering Tourism Industry

When China and the Philippines sparred over the disputed Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China) this past May, the People?s Republic canceled all outbound travel to the Philippines, dealing a direct blow to an industry vital to the nation?s economy. Substitute Japan for the Philippines and Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu Islands in China) for Scarborough Shoal, and you?ve got the same thing happening this September.

'Zombie Apocalypse' Not Over? Doylestown Resident Richard Cimino Jr. Reportedly Gnaws Woman While Bloody And Naked

Weeks after the government warned the public to prepare for a "zombie apolcalypse," Richard Cimino Jr., of Doylestown, Pa., allegedly gnawed on a woman's head while naked and bloody.

Earthquake Exposes Poor Infrastructure In Rural China (PHOTOS)

The death toll in a series of earthquakes that struck southwest China's Yunnan and Guizhou provinces Friday has mounted to 80. Over 730 people suffered injuries.

Would Homeland Security's 'Zombie Apocalypse' Warning Have Worked Before Hurricane Isaac?

The Department of Homeland Security jokingly issued a warning to people in the path of a disaster to prepare as though there's a zombie apocalypse on the horizon. The warning comes in the wake of the cannibal attacks earlier this summer and Hurricane Isaac.

Zombies Take over the World in Tongue-in-Cheek Public Health Campaign

'Zombie Apocalypse' Warning From Government: 'The Zombies Are Coming!'

This past summer, "zombie apocalypse" hysteria was on the rise as cannibalistic attacks were constantly in the news

43 Killed As Earthquake Rocks Southwest China, Thousands Evacuated

At least 43 people were killed and over 150 injured when a 5.7-magnitude earthquake rocked southwest China's Yunnan and Guizhou provinces Friday, Chinese media reported.

Costa Rica Earthquake Not Affecting Tourism; Airports And Hotels ‘Operating Normally’

After a magnitude 7.6 earthquake Wednesday rocked Costa Rica, a popular Central American destination for North American travelers, the tourism board released a statement reassuring visitors that the industry is “operating normally.”

People gather in front of the Supreme Court after being evacuated from their buildings following an earthquake in San Jose

Costa Rica Earthquake Causes Chaos In San Jose, Officials Uncertain If Tsunami Was Generated, Warning In Effect

Reports are beginning to surface that indicate a chaotic aftermath following a powerful, magnitude-7.6 earthquake in Costa Rica and a wide swath of Central America on Wednesday.

Tsunami Warning Canceled After Magnitude-7.6 Earthquake In The Philippines

A tsunami warning for the Philippine Islands region was canceled after a magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck offshore the Philippines Friday, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, or PTWC.

7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Philippines; Tsunami Fear Forces People to Flee

An earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck off the Philippines on Friday damaging roads and bridges and sending people fleeing to higher ground in fear of a tsunami, a politician and authorities said.

Environmentalists Hail Chilean Court's Decision To Halt Power Plant

A decision by Chile's top court to temporarily block a massive, coal-fired power generation venture pleased environmentalists but the project's backers, who saw their share price fall, insisted the delay was unnecessary.

Israeli Muppet New Spokesman For Israel’s Potential War on Iran

An Israeli muppet is on the cover of a pamphlet that is being distributed throughout Israel that tells families how to prepare for an air raid.

Imperial County Rocked By Series Of Earthquakes; More Temblors Likely, Many Schools To Remain Closed Monday

A series of over 100 moderate earthquakes rocked southeastern California Sunday, causing minor damage to houses in Imperial County and neighboring counties. No loss of life or injury was reported.

After Tropical Storm Isaac, Earthquakes Rattle US; No Casualties Reported

Even as U.S. reels under the spell of Tropical Storm Isaac that lashed Florida Sunday, two other natural disasters seem to have struck southeastern California and the Pacific Ocean Sunday and this time it is an earthquake measuring 5.5 magnitude and 7.4 magnitude, respectively.

Tropical Storm Isaac Gather Pace As Hurricane Towards Haiti

Tropical Storm Isaac Hits Florida, Could Land In New Orleans After Becoming A Hurricane

Tropical Storm Isaac began ravishing Florida on Sunday as the storm's path moved up from Cuba and into the Florida Keys. The tropical storm is expected to become a hurricane soon as it travels into the Gulf Coast, near New Orleans, Louisiana.

Isaac Veering Away From Tampa; New Orleans Could Be Target

Tropical Storm Isaac approached hurricane strength as descended on the Florida Keys Sunday, but its course appeared to veering away from Tampa, site of the Republican National Convention, and toward the northern Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Isaac Expected To Be Upgraded To Hurricane Before Hitting Florida: Report

Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to be upgraded to a hurricane before it hits the Florida Keys and Tampa regions. The Weather Channel reported that the storm is expected to reach Florida Sunday afternoon and Tampa later in the week.

Tropical Storm Isaac Gathers Strength As It Heads Toward Florida

Haiti Slammed By Tropical Storm Isaac

Tropical Storm Isaac battered southern Haiti on Saturday, drenching the storm-prone island's capital of Port-au-Prince and leaving at least three people dead.

Japan’s Weakening Economy: Investors Call For Urgent Policy Measures

Investors feel that policy measures should be implemented to regain the growth momentum of the Japanese economy, which has been affected by the soft global demand and the worsening crisis in the euro zone.

A picture illustration shows Japanese 10,000 yen notes featuring a portrait of Yukichi Fukuzawa, the founding father of modern Japan, taken in Tokyo

Japan Returns To Trade Deficit In July Amid Declining Exports

Japan reported Wednesday a rise in trade deficit in July compared to the previous month with a decrease in exports and an increase in imports, raising concerns of the global economic condition.

Why Do The Caribbean Islands Form An Arc?

By looking at earthquake data, scientists were able to get a clear picture of the interaction between the continental South American plate and the Caribbean Plate, which is mostly oceanic.

Mutant Butterflies Found Near Fukushima Disaster Site

A new paper details the physical and genetic changes wrought by the Fukushima nuclear disaster upon Japanese populations of Zizeeria maha, the pale grass blue butterfly.

Iran Rejects Foreign Aid To Help Earthquake Victims... Or Do They?

The Iranian Interior Minister rejected a US offer of aid to earthquake victims, despite statements to the contrary the day before from the Iranian Vice President and Speaker of Parliament.

Taiwan And Japan: Two Nations With Long History Stuck In Limbo

Taiwan and Japan have an awkward relationship that is compromised and complicated by various intractable issues - namely, Mainland China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and has compelled most nations of the earth to deny diplomatic recognition of the island.

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