The recent earthquakes in Indonesia, Venezuela, and Colombia have sparked concerns about a global increase in big earthquakes. However, experts like John Cassidy from Natural Resources Canada and Robert Shcherbakov from Western University offer a different perspective. Despite the magnitude of these earthquakes, they argue that 2026 is not an extraordinary year in terms of the number of large quakes. Cassidy highlights that the year is on track with the average number of earthquakes expected, with 11 earthquakes above magnitude 7, which aligns with the typical annual rate of 12-15 such events. Shcherbakov adds that the intensity of earthquakes is influenced by their location and depth, with shallow quakes near population centers causing more damage. The comparison between countries like Japan, with well-built and retrofitted structures, and regions with less robust infrastructure further emphasizes the impact of location and building quality. Cassidy also notes that the devastating effects of these earthquakes are more about their proximity to vulnerable areas rather than the sheer number of earthquakes. This perspective challenges the notion of a global increase in big earthquakes, suggesting that the impact of these events is more about their location and the vulnerability of the affected areas rather than a statistical anomaly.
