Antarctica, a continent nearly four times the size of the United States, is predominantly covered by a thick layer of ice. But this icy landscape wasn’t always the case. This article explores the geological events that led to the formation of Antarctica’s ice sheet, revealing the complex interplay of climate change, tectonic shifts, and the rise of the Southern Ocean.
Earthquakes are not confined to plate boundaries alone. Intraplate earthquakes, occurring within tectonic plates, pose significant risks to populations in seismic zones. Despite their rarity, understanding their causes is crucial for hazard assessment and preparedness. Various theories and factors contribute to intraplate earthquakes, including the legacy of glaciers, reactivation of ancient faults, complex geological compositions, and even human activities like hydraulic fracturing. Ongoing research aims to uncover the complexities of intraplate earthquakes and mitigate their potential impacts.
Taiwan has experienced over 80 earthquakes, the largest of which measured 6.3 magnitude, starting on Monday night and continuing into Tuesday morning. The epicenter of the quakes was in the eastern county of Hualien, where a 7.2 magnitude temblor on April 3 resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people. Since then, Taiwan has been experiencing hundreds of aftershocks.
