Hurricane + Earthquake =

A new type of natural disaster

A storm? An earthquake? A stormquake?

Recently, scientists have defined a new type of natural disaster. For a long time, the phenomenon was simply considered a side effect of earthquakes. A stormquake is defined as the shaking of the seafloor during an earthquake. Therefore, it makes sense why it was never discovered or characterized until now. Not to mention, the shaking of stormquakes produces a wave that cannot be detected by earthquake-monitoring equipment. To study these new waves, scientists had to create new sensors.

Stormquakes were originally discovered by a team led by Wenyuan Fan, a seismologist and professor at Florida State University, who were looking to study low-frequency earthquakes. These types of earthquakes, unlike the ones seen on the news, are not detectable by humans. Instead, sensitive instruments called seismometers must be used to pick up the vibrations and waves. The researchers observed data of seismic and ocean records from the last 13 years and found evidence of more than 10,000 stormquakes.

Stormquakes are created by waves near the seafloor that cause shaking. These waves are created through surface waves, which in turn are triggered by hurricane storms. However, though they may sound dangerous, stormquakes are actually relatively harmless. They occur frequently, especially after large hurricanes such as Hurricane Irene. Curiously, not all earthquakes produce stormquakes. For example, the horrific Hurricane Sandy produced almost none. It seems that there is some factor necessary for triggering stormquakes. As for what that factor is, no one knows.

So now you know. Stormquakes are quite possibly the most harmless phenomenon. Their existence and classification officially makes them the baby of the natural disaster family.