Our view of whether there is an increase in the frequency of earthquakes, or not, is based around what period of time you consider, whether it is all recorded earthquakes or those over a certain strength that are included in the reports available. In 2010 the British Geographical Survey reported that; ‘Recent devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and China, as well as magnitude 7+ earthquakes in Indonesia and California, might give the impression that earthquake activity is increasing. In fact, a quick look at earthquake statistics over the last 20 years shows that this is not the case. On average there are about 15 earthquakes every year with a magnitude of 7 or greater.’[1]
However, a broader view of the trend of earthquakes of 5.0 and above over a longer period shows a significant increase;
This increase is supported by USGS’s confirmation that;
‘‘The National Earthquake Information Center now locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year, or approximately 55 per day… our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times, in 1976, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016.”
This means that in 40 years the average has been exceeded 11 times, but 7 of those 11 times have occurred in the 9 years from 2007 to 2016.
The Guardian newspaper reported in late 2017 that;
‘Scientists have warned there could be a big increase in numbers of devastating earthquakes around the world next year (2018). They believe variations in the speed of Earth’s rotation could trigger intense seismic activity, particularly in heavily populated tropical regions… In their study, Bilham and Bendick looked at earthquakes of magnitude 7 and greater that had occurred since 1900… They found five periods when there had been significantly higher numbers of large earthquakes compared with other times. “In these periods, there were between 25 to 30 intense earthquakes a year,” said Bilham. “The rest of the time the average figure was around 15 major earthquakes a year.” The researchers searched to find correlations between these periods of intense seismic activity and other factors and discovered that when Earth’s rotation decreased slightly it was followed by periods of increased numbers of intense earthquakes. Bilham and Bendick found that there had been periods of around five years when Earth’s rotation slowed by such an amount several times over the past century and a half. Crucially, these periods were followed by periods when the numbers of intense earthquakes increased.[2] In 2018, up to mid-October there were 12 earthquakes above 7.0.
What does this mean?
We were told over 2,000 years ago by the Biblical scribes to watch for the occurrence of earthquakes;
Mark 13:8– There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Luke 21: 11– There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Haggai 2: 6– This is what the LordAlmighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.’
What else does the Bible tell us?– The Future
What does that mean for you?– Good News
[1]British Geographical Survey – April 2010
[2]The Guardian – 11thNovember 2017