Earthquakes Devastate Locations Around the World

Over the last couple of months, many parts of the world have been shaken to their core; literally. Earthquakes have been striking many different countries. Some of the earthquakes have had minor impacts in the countries they hit. Unfortunately, some countries were impacted with high magnitude earthquakes. Some of the countries majorly affected by these recent earthquakes are Mexico and Japan.

Since the beginning of September, Mexico has been hit by hundreds of small earthquakes, most which were not really felt (Volcano Discovery). Two of the most recent ones had devastating consequences.

On Fri, Sept. 8, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck the southern coast of Mexico. This is the strongest earthquake to hit Mexico in a century (CNN). The earthquake was felt as far as Mexico City and Guatemala City. Hundreds of lives were lost and the destruction left behind is indescribable.

Less than two weeks after this devastating earthquake, another powerful earthquake hit Mexico on Tues, Sept. 19. The 7.1 earthquake was about 650 kilometer from the center of the 8.1 earthquake according to Jana Pursley, a geophysicist with the US Geological Survey (CNN). Mexico City was hit harder this time, but the southern coast of Mexico also felt it. The earthquake left hundreds dead, thousands of buildings collapsed and many more cracked or damaged.

A few days later a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Oaxaca, Mexico. This earthquake almost completely destroyed the city Hujuapan de León, Oaxaca. Other smaller earthquakes have continued to hit Mexico making it harder for the people to recuperate from the major ones. Geophysicist have predicted the possibility that an even bigger earthquake than the one on Sept. 19 will strike Mexico City within the next three months. The thought of a bigger earthquake has millions of people terrified.

Japan has also been struck by multiple earthquakes in the last few weeks. On Wed, Sept. 21, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast of Japan. After the horrifying media coverage of the earthquake aftermath in Mexico, citizens feared the spark of a tsunami. These fears originate from the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit six years ago, leaving four people dead and causing a nuclear meltdown in the Fukushima plant. Moderate damages were left behind and the no tsunami activity was reported. After this, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook the Vanuatu Islands. People reported feeling light rocking/shaking that lasted for about 45 seconds.

Japan was struck by two more earthquakes within hours of each other on Fri, Oct. 6. The latest earthquake hit just off the coast of Iwaki. There was no tsunami threat reported, but the earthquakes were felt as far as Tokyo. Iwaki is about 35 miles from the now-disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which saw its reactors go into meltdown after it was struck by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.

Earthquakes have been reported all around the world, terrifying millions of people. Mexico, Japan, the Philippines, the Fiji Islands and many other countries have continued to experience 5.0 magnitude or higher earthquakes in the last few weeks. The possibility of more earthquakes has everyone bracing for the worst.