Is an earthquake cooking underneath Bangladesh? Researchers suggest that the tectonic plates underneath are moving caused by what they call "subduction" movement and could lead to a big earthquake
Bangladesh is one of the most populated areas on Earth, which means a massive earthquake could mean fatal disaster if it occurs. Scientists say that they have uncovered new evidence that could prove that the increasing strain in the area where two tectonic plants lie could lead to raptures.
The tectonic plates lie underneath the world's largest river delta. An earthquake would disrupt lives of the 140 million residents that are in danger not only from shaking but also with the changes in the course of the river that can occur because of the earthquake.
Researchers say that the threat is because of the "subduction zone," a section of the earth's crust or tectonic plate sliding and thrusting against each other. The findings were published in the journal of Nature Geoscience.
"Some of us have long suspected this hazard, but we didn't have the data and a model," lead author Michael Steckler, a geophysicist said in a statement. "Now we have the data and a model, and we can estimate the size," Steckler added. These subduction zone earthquakes occur when plates in the ocean crust dive offshore, sometimes it gets stuck and slip moving the earth.
The new study supports the theory that subduction movements are taking place beneath Bangladesh and that part of the tectonic plate is already damage and accumulating stress that could lead to earth movement.
But experts say that the movement does not pose an imminent danger but should still be considered as a threat since the earth underneath Bangladesh is collecting strength and building up for a massive movement.
"We don't know how long it will take to build up steam, because we don't know how long it was since the last one," Steckler said in an interview published by IB Times. "We can't say it's imminent or another 500 years. But we can definitely see it building," Steckler added.
The tectonic plate movement spreads until India and Myanmar. Once the earthquake happens it might be larger than 8.2 magnitude with the potential of reaching magnitude 9.