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Does Climate Change Cause Earthquakes?

You can cross this one off your list of things to worry about.

04/05/2024

Heatmap Illustration/Getty Images

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake in New Jersey shook the ground and blew up my group chats this morning. It’s somewhat unusual, but not unheard of, to experience earthquakes in this part of the country, and some may be wondering, is this yet another extreme event that will become more likely under a changing climate?

The answer is maybe, but no one really knows yet.

In case you don’t remember 4th grade science, what we experience as an earthquake is typically the result of sections of the earth’s crust colliding, separating, or sliding past each other. This movement is driven by changes occurring deep underground, far from the influence of surface temperatures or CO2 concentrations.

The only potential connection between climate change and earthquakes is related to water. Changes in surface water, whether because of heavy rain, snow, or drought, could either increase or relieve stress on geologic faults, causing them to shift.

But scientists are still untangling whether there is a relationship between climate-driven changes in surface water and earthquakes. Some studies have found a correlation between shifting seasonal water loads, like from the build up of snow or a rapid melt, and micro earthquakes — quakes so small they can’t be felt by humans. Scientists have also found an uptick in glacial earthquakes — rumblings related to glacial ice lurching forward, cracking, or falling — which may be related to the warming climate.

It’s an active area of investigation, but for now, a surge in earthquakes should be the absolute least of your worries when it comes to the warming planet.

Green

Emily Pontecorvo

Emily is a founding staff writer at Heatmap. Previously she was a staff writer at the nonprofit climate journalism outlet Grist, where she covered all aspects of decarbonization, from clean energy to electrified buildings to carbon dioxide removal.

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Heatmap Illustration/Screenshot/YouTube

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