Recent studies indicate that a seasonal pattern of seismic tremors are tied with the ultimate low-pressure systems – hurricanes.
The pounding of the sea floor by hurricane force winds creates an intense seismic source activity that scientists are calling, “stormquakes.” Earthquake researchers identified more than 10,000 stormquakes from 2006 to 2015 most commonly found during hurricane season.
Department of Earth and Environment professor, Shimon Wdowinski, has been studying the links between earthquakes, hurricanes and landslides. His recent project focuses on exploring the mechanisms for triggering seismicity induced by tropical cyclones to explain the timing of earthquakes that were previously hit by these storms.
Wdowinski told The Ledger, “It’s interesting how situations on the surface affect the Earth’s interior. We like to find answers that explain unusual phenomenon because we are curious creatures.”
More on Wdowinski’s research can be on the FIU Geodesy Lab webpage.
This article first appeared in The Ledger on Oct. 31, 2019.
