Scientists fear 'the Big One' is COMING as FOUR major earthquakes strike in 48 hours

There have been three large earthquakes recorded today, including a major one in southern Japan which destroyed buildings and left at least 45 people injured, after Myanmar was rocked yesterday.

Yesterday tremors were also felt as far as 500 miles away at the national park in India where the Royal couple Kate and William were visiting.

Today The Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital confirmed admitting 45 injured patients, including five with series problems after a quake of magnitude 6.2 to 6.5 and a series of strong after shocks ripped through Kumamoto city.

Several buildings were damaged or destroyed and at least six people are believed to be trapped under homes in Mashiki and local reports said one woman was rescued in critical condition

Scientists say there has been an above average number of significant earthquakes across south Asia and the Pacific since the start of the year.

The increased frequency has sparked fears of a repeat of the Nepal quake of 2015, when 8,000 people died, or even worse.

Roger Bilham, seismologist of University of Colorado, said: "The current conditions might trigger at least four earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude.

"And if they delay, the strain accumulated during the centuries provokes more catastrophic mega earthquakes."

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Tweets have appeared showing the aftermath of the Japan quake today

Yesterday's quake was followed by a 5.9-magnitude earthquake which struck off the coast of the southern Philippines.

The earthquake happened at 2.20am (Singapore time) off Mindanao island.

Local authorities said there was no tsunami risk and that they had not received reports of casualties or damage.

Buildings were destroyed by a powerful 6.4 magnitude quake which shook southern Japan today.

Japan's Meteorological Agency said the epicentre was in the Mashiki town in the Kumamoto prefecture.

Officials said the region's nuclear facilities were not affected.

A 6 magnitude earthquake also hit today off the coast of the Pacific island of Vanuatu, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

It was 53 miles from town Port Orly and the fourth one this week in the immediate area, after a 6.4-strength tremor hit a week earlier.

Vanuatu is on the "Pacific Ring of Fire," one of the most seismic parts of the globe and known for its earthquakes and volcanoes.

Today's quakes take the total to nine across Asia in a period of just over three and a half months - nearly three every month.

India's National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) says stress in the mountains of the north-east and the colliding of the Himalayan plate iand the Indo-Burmese plate in the to the puts the whole region on red alert.


Credit to express.co.uk

http://www.express.co.uk/news/science/661052/SCIENTISTS-fear-the-Big-One-is-COMING-as-four-major-earthquakes-strike-in-48-hours