Hydrologic Response in Well 27F2 SOW 019 to Worldwide Earthquakes

USGS Virginia Water Science Center

Observation well 27F2 SOW 019, located in Christiansburg, Va., is sensitive to teleseismic waves generated by large earthquakes (usually greater than magnitude 6.0) that occur around the world. This well is 450 feet deep, finished in carbonate rocks of the Elbrook Formation, and water enters the well via fractures or cracks in the rock. Compression and expansion of these fractures by seismic waves cause the water to be drawn in and out of the well, similar to the way bellows work. As ground water moves in and out of the well, the water level in the well rapidly rises and falls. This water-level oscillation is recorded at 5-minute intervals by a pressure transducer and data logger maintained by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Every hour, these data are transmitted via satellite to a computer located at the U.S. Geological Survey Virginia Water Science Center in Richmond, Va. Below is a list of recent earthquakes that caused a water-level response in this well. Click on the location link in the table below to see a hydrograph of the response.

Locations of Earthquakes

Magnitude	Location	Date-Time (UTC)	Date-Time (Local)	Depth of epicenter (miles)	Distance from epicenter to well (miles)	Water-Level Oscillation
Magnitude	Location	Date-Time (UTC)	Date-Time (Local)	Depth of epicenter (miles)	Distance from epicenter to well (miles)	Rise (feet below land surface)	Fall (feet below land surface)	Total (feet)	Period (hours)
6.9	KURIL ISLANDS	04/07/2009 04:23:34	04/07/2009 00:23:34	21.1	5,860	3.30	3.36	0.06	0.58
7.9	TONGA REGION	03/19/2009 18:17:40	03/19/2009 14:17:40	21.1	7,381	3.08	3.27	0.19	1.92
6.9	KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION	02/18/2009 21:53:45	02/18/2009 16:53:45	15.5	7,637	5.71	5.77	0.06	0.67
7.3	KEPULAUAN TALAUD, INDONESIA	02/11/2009 17:34:50	02/11/2009 12:34:50	12.4	9,125	5.83	5.88	0.05	0.50
7.3	NEAR THE COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA	01/03/2009 22:33:42	01/03/2009 17:33:42	21.7	9,134	6.35	6.43	0.08	1.33
7.6	NEAR THE COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA	01/03/2009 19:43:54	01/03/2009 14:43:54	21.7	9,143	6.36	6.57	0.21	1.33
6.2	PANAMA-COSTA RICA BORDER REGION	11/19/2008 06:11:02	11/19/2008 01:11:02	30.0	1,991	6.83	6.89	0.06	0.17
7.5	MINAHASA, SULAWESI, INDONESIA	11/16/2008 17:02:32	11/16/2008 12:02:32	16.2	9,421	6.81	6.86	0.05	1.50
6.5	NORTHERN QINGHAI, CHINA	11/10/2008 01:22:01	11/09/2008 20:22:01	6.2	7,281	7.03	7.06	0.03	0.17
6.1	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	11/02/2008 13:48:44	11/02/2008 08:48:44	31.9	4,429	6.86	6.89	0.03	0.17
6.6	OFFSHORE CHIAPAS, MEXICO	10/16/2008 19:41:26	10/16/2008 15:41:26	14.9	1,729	6.73	6.79	0.06	0.33
6.1	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION	10/11/2008 10:40:16	10/11/2008 06:40:16	16.0	1,550	6.82	6.88	0.06	0.17
6.6	KYRGYZSTAN	10/05/2008 15:52:49	10/05/2008 11:52:49	17.1	6,908	6.79	6.81	0.02	0.08
6.9	HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION	09/11/2008 00:20:52	09/10/2008 20:20:52	21.7	6,321	6.62	6.67	0.05	0.25
6.6	HALMAHERA, INDONESIA	09/11/2008 00:00:02	09/10/2008 20:00:02	57.8	9,211	6.62	6.68	0.06	0.33
6.6	CENTRAL MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE	09/10/2008 13:08:14	09/10/2008 09:08:14	6.2	3,287	6.69	6.73	0.04	0.25
6.9	VANUATU	09/08/2008 18:52:08	09/08/2008 14:52:08	75.7	8,019	6.57	6.59	0.02	0.17
5.9	VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION	08/28/2008 12:37:35	08/28/2008 08:37:35	6.2	2,569	6.36	6.38	0.02	0.08
7.0	OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN	07/19/2008 02:39:30	07/18/2008 22:39:30	16.8	6,616	6.17	6.28	0.11	0.67
7.7	SEA OF OKHOTSK	07/05/2008 02:12:04	07/04/2008 22:12:04	393.5	5,407	6.05	6.12	0.07	0.42
6.7	EAST OF THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS	06/30/2008 06:17:43	06/30/2008 02:17:43	6.2	7,380	5.89	5.91	0.02	0.08
6.6	ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION	06/27/2008 11:40:16	06/27/2008 07:40:16	21.7	9,080	6.06	6.11	0.05	0.17
6.8	EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN	06/13/2008 23:43:46	06/13/2008 19:43:46	6.2	6,572	5.93	6.05	0.12	1.00
6.3	ICELAND REGION	05/29/2008 15:46:00	05/29/2008 11:46:00	6.2	3,040	5.26	5.31	0.05	0.08
6.4	CENTRAL MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE	05/23/2008 19:35:35	05/23/2008 15:35:35	6.2	3,519	5.26	5.31	0.05	0.25
6.0	EASTERN SICHUAN, CHINA	05/12/2008 06:43:14	05/12/2008 02:43:14	6.2	7,720	4.12	5.31	1.19	4.75
7.9	EASTERN SICHUAN, CHINA	05/12/2008 06:28:00	05/12/2008 02:28:00	6.2	7,730	4.12	5.31	1.19	5.00
6.8	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN	05/07/2008 16:45:20	05/07/2008 12:45:20	21.7	6,722	4.82	4.88	0.06	0.83
6.2	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN	05/07/2008 16:02:02	05/07/2008 12:02:02	12.2	6,716	4.83	4.85	0.02	0.08
6.6	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	05/02/2008 01:33:36	05/01/2008 21:33:36	8.7	4,540	4.13	4.23	0.10	0.75
6.6	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	04/16/2008 05:54:19	04/16/2008 01:54:19	8.1	4,599	5.19	5.26	0.07	0.58
6.4	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	04/15/2008 22:59:54	04/15/2008 18:59:54	6.2	4,602	5.22	5.35	0.13	0.25
6.1	OFFSHORE GUATEMALA	04/15/2008 03:03:10	04/14/2008 23:03:10	49.4	1,734	5.21	5.23	0.02	0.08
7.1	MACQUARIE ISLAND REGION	04/12/2008 00:30:11	04/11/2008 20:30:11	6.2	9,453	4.69	4.77	0.08	1.17
6.0	LOYALTY ISLANDS	04/09/2008 14:47:51	04/09/2008 10:47:51	21.7	8,162	4.60	4.63	0.03	0.08
7.3	LOYALTY ISLANDS	04/09/2008 12:46:13	04/09/2008 08:46:13	21.7	8,164	4.50	4.62	0.12	1.00
6.3	LOYALTY ISLANDS	04/09/2008 11:23:40	04/09/2008 07:23:40	21.7	8,165	4.50	4.52	0.02	0.08
6.4	LOYALTY ISLANDS	04/09/2008 11:13:21	04/09/2008 07:13:21	21.7	8,172	4.50	4.52	0.02	0.08
6.3	SIMEULUE, INDONESIA	03/29/2008 17:30:51	03/29/2008 13:30:51	20.1	9,662	5.65	5.69	0.04	0.25
7.2	XINJIANG-XIZANG BORDER REGION	03/20/2008 22:33:00	03/20/2008 18:33:00	14.2	7,303	5.01	5.23	0.22	0.75
6.9	PHILLIPINE ISLANDS REGION	03/03/2008 14:11:13	03/03/2008 09:11:13	11.5	8,567	5.85	5.87	0.02	0.08
6.6	KURIL ISLANDS	03/03/2008 09:31:06	03/03/2008 04:31:06	21.7	5,789	5.75	5.83	0.08	0.33
6.6	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	02/25/2008 21:02:20	02/25/2008 16:02:20	24.3	10,027	5.50	5.57	0.07	0.33
7.0	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	02/25/2008 08:36:35	02/25/2008 03:36:35	21.7	10,036	5.27	5.65	0.38	0.50
6.8	SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION	02/23/2008 15:57:24	02/23/2008 10:57:24	21.7	7,284	5.56	5.58	0.02	0.42
6.0	NEVADA	02/21/2008 14:16:02	02/21/2008 09:16:02	4.2	1,858	5.53	5.56	0.03	0.08
6.1	SVALBARD REGION	02/21/2008 02:46:18	02/20/2008 21:46:18	6.2	3,869	5.58	5.61	0.03	0.08
4.7	SIMEULUE, INDONESIA	02/20/2008 09:32:05	02/20/2008 04:32:05	14.0	9,680	5.26	5.34	0.08	0.67
6.1	SIMEULUE, INDONESIA	02/20/2008 09:05:08	02/20/2008 04:32:08	21.7	9,685	5.26	5.35	0.09	0.75
5.4	SIMEULUE, INDONESIA	02/20/2008 08:28:20	02/20/2008 03:28:20	21.7	9,689	5.26	5.35	0.09	1.17
7.4	SIMEULUE, INDONESIA	02/20/2008 08:08:32	02/20/2008 03:08:32	21.7	9,675	5.26	5.35	0.09	1.67
6.4	OAXACA, MEXICO	02/12/2008 12:50:20	02/12/2008 07:50:20	61.9	1,656	5.03	5.07	0.03	0.08
6.8	NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE	02/08/2008 09:38:14	02/08/2008 04:38:14	6.2	3,009	4.34	4.53	0.19	0.75
6.3	OFF THE COAST OF OREGON	01/10/2008 01:37:18	01/09/2008 20:37:18	6.2	2,478	5.71	5.75	0.04	0.08
6.1	QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS REGION	01/09/2008 14:40:01	01/09/2008 14:40:01	6.2	2,640	5.69	5.71	0.03	0.08
6.5	QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS REGION	01/05/2008 11:44:48	01/05/2008 6:44:48	6.2	2,613	5.55	5.59	0.04	0.75
6.5	QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS REGION	01/05/2008 11:01:05	01/05/2008 06:01:05	6.2	2,620	5.49	5.56	0.07	0.58
6.0	FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	12/29/2007 22:58:06	12/29/2007 17:58:06	21.7	4,169	5.26	5.28	0.02	0.08
6.3	FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	12/26/2007 22:04:56	12/26/2007 17:04:56	21.7	4,163	5.69	5.76	0.07	0.58
7.2	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	12/19/2007 09:30:30	12/19/2007 04:30:30	35.0	4,625	5.72	5.94	0.22	1.50
7.8	SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS	12/09/2007 07:28:20	12/09/2007 02:28:20	92.7	7,638	6.07	6.15	0.08	1.00
7.4	MARTINIQUE REGION, WINDWARD ISLANDS	11/29/2007 19:00:19	11/29/2007 14:00:19	88.9	1,930	5.92	6.02	0.10	0.58
6.7	PERU-ECUADOR BORDER REGION	11/16/2007 03:12:59	11/15/2007 22:12:59	73.9	2,718	5.82	5.92	0.10	0.17
6.8	ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE	11/15/2007 15:06:00	11/15/2007 10:06:00	21.7	4,183	5.71	5.76	0.05	0.33
6.2	OFFSHORE ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE	11/15/2007 15:03:08	11/15/2007 10:03:08	16.8	4,176	5.71	5.76	0.05	0.33
7.7	ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE	11/14/2007 15:40:53	11/14/2007 10:40:53	37.3	4,138	5.58	5.85	0.27	2.92
7.2	PAGAN REGION, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS	10/31/2007 03:30:20	10/30/2007 23:30:20	154.3	7,566	5.56	5.63	0.07	0.83
6.8	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	10/24/2007 21:02:52	10/24/2007 17:02:52	18.6	10,137	6.35	6.44	0.09	0.83
6.8	SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND	10/15/2007 12:29:37	10/15/2007 08:29:37	15.8	8,951	6.52	6.55	0.03	0.25
6.2	ALASKA PENINSULA	10/02/2007 18:00:08	10/02/2007 14:00:08	29.8	3,867	6.27	6.31	0.04	0.08
7.3	AUCKLAND ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND REGION	09/30/2007 05:23:34	09/30/2007 01:23:34	6.8	9,191	6.49	6.59	0.10	1.75
6.8	SOUTH OF THE MARIANA ISLANDS	09/30/2007 02:08:29	09/29/2007 22:08:29	6.2	8,005	6.43	6.54	0.11	1.17
7.4	MARIANA ISLANDS REGION	09/28/2007 13:38:58	09/28/2007 09:38:58	162.4	7,493	6.30	6.38	0.08	0.58
6.6	SOUTHEAST OF THE LOYALTY ISLANDS	09/28/2007 01:35:52	09/27/2007 21:35:52	6.2	8,177	6.32	6.34	0.02	0.08
6.3	SOUTHEAST OF THE LOYALTY ISLANDS	09/27/2007 19:57:45	09/27/2007 15:57:45	13.1	8,180	6.12	6.14	0.02	0.08
6.9	NEW IRELAND REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA	09/26/2007 12:36:23	09/26/2007 8:36:23	6.2	8,389	6.30	6.32	0.02	0.08
5.2	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	09/13/2007 04:06:10	09/13/2007 00:06:10	6.2	9,994	6.35	6.55	0.20	1.25
7.0	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	09/13/2007 03:35:26	09/12/2007 23:35:26	6.2	10,023	6.35	6.55	0.20	1.58
7.8	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 23:49:01	09/12/2007 19:49:01	6.2	10,047	5.94	7.05	1.11	1.75
5.1	SOUTHWEST OF SUMATRA, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 23:19:44	09/12/2007 19:19:44	6.2	10,154	5.94	7.05	1.11	1.75
5.3	KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 17:04:33	09/12/2007 13:04:33	190.9	9,808	6.31	6.34	0.03	0.58
5.9	SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 16:37:01	09/12/2007 12:37:01	6.2	10,085	6.31	6.34	0.03	0.58
6.0	SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 14:40:01	09/12/2007 10:40:01	6.8	10,094	5.20	6.81	1.61	3.67
5.3	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 13:17:15	09/12/2007 09:17:15	6.2	10,103	5.20	6.81	1.61	3.67
5.7	SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 13:02:03	09/12/2007 09:02:03	6.2	10,076	5.20	6.81	1.61	3.67
5.2	KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 12:21:44	09/12/2007 08:21:44	6.2	10,058	5.20	6.81	1.61	3.67
8.4	SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA	09/12/2007 11:10:26	09/12/2007 07:10:26	18.6	10,182	5.20	6.81	1.61	3.67
6.8	WEST COAST OF COLOMBIA	09/10/2007 01:49:11	09/09/2007 21:49:11	6.2	2,357	6.25	6.41	0.16	0.33
7.2	SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS	09/02/2007 01:05:18	09/01/2007 21:05:18	21.7	8,005	6.12	6.26	0.14	0.25
6.6	CENTRAL MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE	08/20/2007 22:42:28	08/20/2007 18:42:28	6.2	3,265	5.97	6.00	0.03	0.08
6.7	SOLOMON ISLANDS	08/16/2007 08:39:27	08/16/2007 04:39:27	1.1	8,283	5.85	5.88	0.03	0.17
6.3	NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU	08/16/2007 05:16:58	08/16/2007 01:16:58	21.7	3,546	5.98	6.00	0.02	0.08
8.0	NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU	08/15/2007 23:40:58	08/15/2007 19:40:58	25.3	3,480	5.54	6.04	0.50	2.92
6.5	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	08/15/2007 20:22:13	08/15/2007 16:22:13	13.2	4,584	5.85	5.89	0.04	0.17
7.5	JAVA, INDONESIA	08/08/2007 17:04:58	08/08/2007 13:04:58	179.7	10,226	5.56	5.61	0.05	0.83
6.7	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	08/02/2007 03:21:42	08/02/2007 23:21:42	13.0	4,650	5.50	5.56	0.06	0.42
7.2	VANUATU	08/01/2007 17:08:51	08/01/2007 13:08:51	74.6	8,062	5.52	5.55	0.03	0.08
6.9	MOLUCCA SEA	07/26/2007 05:40:16	07/26/2007 01:40:16	15.5	9,152	5.16	5.20	0.04	0.42
6.6	NEAR THE WEST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN	07/16/2007 01:13:22	07/16/2007 21:13:22	6.2	6,723	5.40	5.42	0.02	0.08
6.0	FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	07/15/2007 13:09:01	07/15/2007 19:09:01	6.2	4,158	5.43	5.49	0.06	0.33
6.7	BOUGAINVILLE REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA	06/28/2007 02:52:09	06/28/2007 22:52:09	6.2	8,461	5.01	5.04	0.03	0.33
6.7	OFFSHORE GUATEMALA	06/13/2007 19:29:41	06/13/2007 15:29:41	14.3	1,742	4.44	4.51	0.07	0.50
6.4	SOLOMON ISLANDS	04/01/2007 21:11:33	04/01/2007 17:11:33	6.2	8,377	2.68	3.02	0.34	1.92
6.7	SOLOMON ISLANDS	04/01/2007 20:47:31	04/01/2007 16:47:31	6.2	8,370	2.68	3.02	0.34	2.08
8.0	SOLOMON ISLANDS	04/01/2007 20:39:56	04/01/2007 16:39:56	6.2	8,358	2.68	3.02	0.34	2.08
6.9	VANUATU	03/25/2007 01:08:19	03/24/2007 21:08:19	21.7	8,160	2.70	2.80	0.10	1.17
6.7	NEAR THE WEST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN	03/25/2007 00:41:57	03/24/2007 20:41:57	3.1	6,792	2.70	2.80	0.10	1.17
7.2	VANUATU	03/25/2007 00:40:02	03/24/2007 20:40:02	21.7	8,152	2.70	2.80	0.10	1.17
6.7	KEPULAUAN OBI, INDONESIA	02/20/2007 08:04:27	02/20/2007 03:04:27	14.0	9,396	3.28	3.32	0.04	0.25
6.2	CUBA REGION	02/04/2007 20:56:58	02/04/2007 15:56:58	6.2	1,223	3.23	3.29	0.06	0.08
6.7	WEST OF MACQUARIE ISLAND	01/30/2007 04:54:50	01/29/2007 23:54:50	6.2	9,960	3.03	3.09	0.06	0.58
7.3	MOLUCCA SEA	01/21/2007 11:27:42	01/21/2007 06:27:42	6.2	9,289	2.87	2.98	0.11	0.50
8.2	EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS	01/13/2007 04:23:20	01/13/2007 23:23:20	6.2	5,758	0.33	3.18	2.85	2.58
6.9	TAIWAN	12/26/2006 12:34:14	12/26/2006 7:34:14	6.2	8,141	2.97	3.17	0.20	1.58
6.4	EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:40:55	11/15/2006 6:40:55	6.2	5,738	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
5.3	KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:40:03	11/15/2006 6:40:03	6.2	5,790	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
6.5	EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:34:58	11/15/2006 6:34:58	6.2	5,712	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
5.5	KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:33:23	11/15/2006 6:33:23	6.2	5,755	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
6.2	EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:29:22	11/15/2006 6:29:22	6.2	5,755	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
6.0	EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:28:38	11/15/2006 6:28:38	6.2	5,779	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
6.0	KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:25:07	11/15/2006 6:25:07	6.2	5,767	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
5.6	EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:24:36	11/15/2006 6:24:36	6.2	5,700	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
5.6	EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:23:O6	11/15/2006 6:23:06	6.2	5,745	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
8.3	KURIL ISLANDS	11/15/2006 11:14:16	11/15/2006 6:14:16	17.7	5,779	3.10	3.85	0.75	2.67
6.5	NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU	10/20/2006 10:48:57	10/20/2006 06:48:57	20.6	3,487	3.23	3.41	0.18	0.25
6.6	NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA	10/17/2006 01:25:12	10/16/2006 21:25:12	19.9	8,556	4.91	4.95	0.04	0.25
6.0	HAWAII REGION, HAWAII	10/15/2006 17:14:12	10/15/2006 13:14:12	11.7	1,627	4.74	4.79	0.05	0.25
6.7	ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII	10/15/2006 17:07:49	10/15/2006 13:07:49	23.6	1,625	4.74	4.79	0.05	0.25
6.6	KURIL ISLANDS	10/01/2006 09:06:00	10/01/2006 05:06:00	6.2	5,785	4.72	4.78	0.06	0.42
6.0	KURIL ISLANDS	09/30/2006 13:56:16	09/30/2006 13:56:16	6.2	5,799	4.75	4.80	0.05	0.25
6.6	KURIL ISLANDS	09/30/2006 17:50:25	09/30/2006 13:50:25	15.5	5,796	4.75	4.80	0.05	0.25
6.0	GULF OF MEXICO	09/10/2006 14:56:07	09/10/2006 10:56:07	6.2	835	4.02	4.11	0.09	0.08
5.7	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA, RUSSIA	09/01/2006 10:25:17	09/01/2006 6:25:17	31.8	5,248	4.18	4.23	0.05	0.42
6.8	BOUGAINVILLE REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA	09/01/2006 10:18:52	09/01/2006 6:18:52	28.4	8,363	4.18	4.23	0.05	0.42
6.4	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA, RUSSIA	08/24/2006 21:50:39	08/24/2006 17:50:39	43.6	5,762	4.48	4.51	0.03	0.08
7.1	SCOTIA SEA	08/20/2006 3:41:47	08/19/2006 23:41:47	6.2	7,241	4.22	4.27	0.05	0.25
6.0	JAVA, INDONESIA	07/17/2006 10:09:07	07/17/2006 6:09:07	6.2	10,425	3.08	3.20	0.12	1.58
6.2	SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA	07/17/2006 9:13:05	07/17/2006 5:13:05	6.2	10,436	3.08	3.20	0.12	1.58
5.7	SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA	07/17/2006 9:05:17	07/17/2006 5:05:17	6.2	10,478	3.08	3.20	0.12	1.58
7.7	SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA	07/17/2006 8:19:25	07/17/2006 4:19:25	6.2	10,458	3.08	3.20	0.12	1.58
5.3	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	07/08/2006 20:50:14	07/08/2006 16:50:14	1.9	4,625	2.66	2.70	0.04	0.17
6.2	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	07/08/2006 20:40:04	07/08/2006 16:40:04	30.0	4,627	2.66	2.70	0.04	0.17
6.3	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	07/08/2006 20:39:59	07/08/2006 16:39:59	4.3	4,634	2.66	2.70	0.04	0.17
6.1	RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	06/14/2006 04:46:42	06/14/2006 00:46:42	19.0	4,731	5.64	5.73	0.09	0.75
6.3	RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	06/14/2006 04:18:46	06/14/2006 00:18:46	23.1	4,734	5.64	5.73	0.09	0.75
5.6	TONGA	05/28/2006 03:36:17	05/27/2006 23:36:17	26.2	7,253	5.57	5.60	0.03	0.08
6.3	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF KORYAKIA, RUSSIA	05/22/2006 11:12:00	05/22/2006 07:12:00	8.4	4,729	5.68	5.76	0.08	0.75
6.8	NIAS REGION, INDONESIA	05/16/2006 15:28:26	05/16/2006 11:28:26	10.1	9,864	5.23	5.28	0.05	0.42
7.4	KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION	05/16/2006 10:39:24	05/16/2006 06:39:24	94.2	7,931	5.07	5.12	0.05	1.08
6.0	FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA	05/10/2006 02:42:54	05/09/2006 22:42:54	26.7	4,213	5.11	5.14	0.03	0.08
7.9	TONGA	05/03/2006 15:26:40	05/03/2006 11:26:40	34.2	7,243	4.90	5.26	0.36	1.67
7.6	KORYAKIA, RUSSIA	04/20/2006 23:25:04	04/20/2006 19:25:04	23.9	4,684	4.61	5.62	1.01	2.25
7.4	MOZAMBIQUE	02/22/2006 22:19:07	02/22/2006 17:19:07	6.8	8,384	4.12	4.29	0.17	1.08
6.6	GULF OF CALIFORNIA	01/04/2006 08:32:30	01/04/2006 03:32:30	8.7	1,939	4.91	5.06	0.15	0.75
7.4	EAST OF THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS	01/02/2006 06:10:49	01/02/2006 01:10:49	6.2	7,519	5.01	5.15	0.14	1.33
6.8	LAKE TANGANYIKA REGION, CONGO-TANZANIA	12/05/2005 12:19:57	12/05/2005 07:19:57	13.7	4,711	4.61	4.66	0.05	0.58
6.5	SIMEULUE, INDONESIA	11/19/2005 14:10:14	11/19/2005 09:10:14	18.6	9,715	5.67	5.70	0.03	0.25
7.0	OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN	11/14/2005 21:38:51	11/14/2005 16:38:51	6.8	6,503	5.60	5.76	0.16	0.92
7.6	PAKISTAN	10/08/2005 03:50:40	10/07/2005 23:50:40	16.2	7,229	5.31	5.49	0.18	1.75

When a large earthquake has occurred somewhere in the world, click on the image to the right to see if a water-level response was recorded in well 27F2 SOW 019

Well 27F 2 SOW 019

Note that the diurnal cycles in the water-level record are not in response to earthquakes, but are the effects of earth tides. Click on the image to the right for a larger version. Earth tides are a phenomenon similar to ocean tides, but affect our solid earth rather than ocean water levels. Earth tides and even changes in barometric pressure can effect the water levels in some wells. Water levels in the Christiansburg well are "raw data", and thus are not adjusted for these effects.

For additional information about hydrologic responses to earthquakes and for information about earthquakes in general, *click on the images below:*
	Earthquakes—Rattling the Earth’s Plumbing System
	Hydrologic Effects of the Pymatuning Earthquake of September 25, 1998 in Northwestern Pennsylvania
	USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

For Additional Information: Contact David Nelms dlnelms@usgs.gov

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U.S. Department of the Interior \| U.S. Geological Survey URL: http://va.water.usgs.gov/earthquakes/index.htm Page Contact Information: Virginia WSC Webmaster Page Last Modified: April 08, 2009 07:13 AM