Scientists say major earthquakes feel frequent, but activity is on track

News admin June 26, 2026 0 Comments

Scientists say major earthquakes feel frequent, but activity is on track

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Over the last month, strong earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 and higher have rocked the Philippines, Japan, Venezuela, and even Hawaii.

Researchers have been closely monitoring the activity, and while it may seem like more quakes than normal, they say it’s about on par with forecasts.

“This is all pretty normal for earthquakes. On a given year, we expect around 15 between magnitude 7 and 8, and about 150 between magnitude 6 and 7,” said Helen Janiszewski, assistant professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Earth Sciences.

The quakes are, however, hitting in more populated places compared to some large earthquakes in past years, making them more noticeable.

“A couple years ago, there was an actual very similar, sequence of earthquakes to the one that we had in Venezuela where it was, 7.8 and 8.1 in very close sequence, but it was here, where no one lives,” Janiszewski said, pointing to the Southern Atlantic Ocean on a map.

Despite advancements in technology, researchers say there’s still no way to precisely predict when and where the next big earthquake will strike. But some seismology enthusiasts believe patterns can be monitored, studied, and used to implement potential life-saving warnings.

“I think it’s something that could happen as well across the world if people, scientists got together and really understood what’s happening. And then governments also utilize this knowledge to better notify and warn their citizens,” Pahoa resident Bob Gentzel said.

There are upwards of 100 seismographs throughout Hawaii constantly monitoring for quake activity.

Very subtle energy from the Venezuela quake was mapped traveling through the continent.

Some hope investments will be made in early-warning technology, as well as individual emergency preparedness.

“I’m just trying to prove the point that they can be forecastable because I want to save lives,” Gentzel said.

Janiszewski added, “There’s a lot that we can do still in the interim, both on an individual scale for preparedness in your own home as well as investment at community and state levels.”