And on Feb. 28, Seattle was shaken by a 6.8 magnitude quake, which caused millions of dollars in damage. Four earthquakes scattered around the world, all within a few short weeks. Not likely, according to geologists at the University. All of these events are unconnected, geologically speaking. Sexton points out that each area lies on a different tectonic system separated by thousands of miles.
Earthquakes happen when two tectonic plates rub against each other in a violent fashion.
Advances in technology in recent years have allowed researchers to identify earthquake-prone areas and estimate the odds for an earthquake in those areas. But to actually predict when a quake will happen is another matter. That's an indication that stress is building up. But to determine just when that stress will be relieved is hard to do. Geologists once thought they were getting closer to being able to predict when a quake might occur, but Sexton says recent research indicates the ability to do that is still years down the road.