Results in for wussy Toronto earthquake

Here are the results from SOSN.  Like I assumed, our closest seismometer read 0.1 mm/s, whereas that other big earthquake was about 1.  Pembrooke looks like they got the maximum shot at 1 mm/s.  This is definitely more in line with an M4.4.

Also I got 10 times more hits on my blog for 2007.  Ah well, we can always wait for another one...  :)

Toronto Earthquake a Washout

Looking at all the news I think this earthquake is more like the USGS M4.4 and not an M5.2.  It certainly wasn't as big as the last one!

The local effects of an earthquake are determined by the peak ground velocity (PGV) measured on the spot.  This can be derived from the seismometers we have all over Ontario, but probably won't be done soon, unless I pester people.  You can definitely feel about 0.5 mm/sec.  But damage needs about 500 mm/s.  Soft ground will amplify about 10 times.  A soft-story condo on soft ground will go to 100!

This was not felt on our ground floor on firm ground, so I am guess a general PGV of 0.3 mm/s, since I felt it very lightly on the second floor, which probably amplifies by 2.  Again, I think we are a factor of 2 to 3 below the last panic.

A real earthquake under Hamilton will produce 5 cm/s on rock, and huge amplifications elsewhere.  The odds are the same as other places, so it is best not to ignore it.  We in Ontario are exemplary in totally ignoring earthquake issues.  

A Fine Ottawa Earthquake

The USGS is calling it an M5 earthquake.

They have it more into Quebec, but the Canadians were calling Ontario and an M4.8.  I felt it upstairs as a low rumble that rattled the knick-knack case.  Obviously, I should have that secured!  If you felt this strongly in Toronto, you are on a swamp and should get earthquake insurance.  I'm sure people were rattled up in Ottawa.  Not much in the news.

Earthquakes in this area come as no surprise, the M5's are common.  It is an area with lots of water, and severe glacial uplift strains.  Within the main zone, I feel that the earthquakes are constrained to M5 because of the type of rock, and massive random fracturing.  Along the Ottawa River, however, there is a major failed rift zone, and all these M5's build up the chance for an M6 or 7 here.

Canada now puts it in Quebec with an M5.1.

wrong stuff...

Cancel that!  Still an M5 with an M4 aftershock.  I still think the M5 is overrated until I hear stories of office buildings being evacuated.  :)

Still weird with the USGS now calling a single M4.4

Toronto earthquake?

Definitely felt the whole sequence of a distant M5 right now.  Unfortunately, we are rather slow in Canada on the reporting aspect.  I don't have Twitter either.  Could be just some major ground thumping.   I'll keep looking.

Earthquake confirmed - Braeside On.  Where the heck is that?

Yeah, felt an earthquake!  Must have emptied the office towers in Ottawa again.  :)  They tho thilly!

Tomatoes In

Planted the tomatoes today.  I'm not like my old neighbour who obsesses over his.  He has them staked already, and has probably given them their steroids.  :)  They are perfect!  I have a real problem with these things as we disappear to the cottage, just at the time that the weeds attack everything, and the drought hits.  Every year I try something different, and this year I am using landscape cloth, and just letting the plants sprawl.  My neighbour is horrified!  Last year I did this without the cloth, and still got a lot of tomatoes, and I'm hoping the cloth stops contact with the ground, and subsequent rot.  I really want the world's laziest tomatoes!

My estimate on the weather is that we have reverted 10 years.  I hope it isn't 20 years with a freezing June.    I suspect we'll use cottage sauna a bit more this year.  Can't wait to see the 'official' world temperature for this year!  A setback of 10-20 years would be good enough to blow the carbon correlation, I just hope it doesn't go any further!