2023 experienced several earthquakes, including an increase in seismic activity and aftershocks. Real Research, an online survey app, revealed that 68.42% of the respondents believed that earthquakes in 2023 came about more frequently than in previous years.

Highlights:

  • 68.33% were aware of the increase in earthquakes in 2023 compared to 2022
  • 63.58% of the respondents believed the geological experts’ opinion on the cause of recent earthquakes
  • The increase in seismic activity is probably linked to human activities such as mining and blasting, said 55.63%

Earthquakes in 2023

Some geological experts suggest the increase in earthquakes in recent years isn’t due to more seismic activities, but the increased availability of seismic instruments which can record more earthquakes. A survey on the increase in earthquakes in 2023 was conducted and 63.58% of the respondents believed the experts’ opinion.

geological-experts-suggestions
Figure 1: Whether the respondents believe the geological experts’ suggestions

Moreover, in India, there were 97 earthquakes in 2023, with magnitudes ranging from 3.0 to 3.9, compared to 41 in 2022, as reported by the Pakistan Movement for Justice. 50.53% of the respondents were somewhat aware, and 25.68% were completely unaware. 23.78% said they were completely aware.

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Increase of Earthquakes in 2023

Recent decades averaged 16 major (above-magnitude 7) and 142 minor earthquakes around the world per year; 2023 witnessed 19 major and 1,496 minor ones. 68.33% of the respondents said they were aware of this.

increase-of-Earthquakes-in-2023
Figure 2: Awareness of the increase of Earthquakes in 2023

Read Also: Scars of the Past, Wounds of Today: Earthquake Strikes In Taiwan

Noticeable Increase in Seismic Activity

There has been a noticeable increase in seismic activity recently. Respondents were asked if it may be linked to human activities such as mining, blasting, nuclear testing, fracking, and others. 55.63% said probably, 26.65% said absolutely, 13.60% said probably not, and 4.12% said absolutely not.

seismic-activity
Figure 3: If seismic activity may be linked to certain human activities, like mining, etc…

Methodology

 
Survey TitleSurvey on the increase of earthquakes in 2023
DurationDecember 18 – December 25, 2024
Number of Participants6,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia,… Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.