Charles Watson, consulting geologist and publisher of the Seismo Watch newsletter, joins Art Bell to discuss a dramatic surge in global earthquake activity. Watson reveals that 1995 produced 192 earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater, the most in any recorded year, surpassing the previous high of 164 set in 1965. He details the recent 8.2 magnitude earthquake near New Guinea that generated 476 aftershocks of magnitude four or greater within 48 hours and produced tsunami waves reaching 33 feet.
Art Bell and Watson examine the earthquake swarms at Mammoth Lakes, California, where USGS has issued a low-level volcanic hazard alert. Watson explains that the Long Valley Caldera last erupted 700,000 years ago with enough force to deposit volcanic ash as far as New Jersey. He describes the current monitoring systems and explains why the recent absence of moderate stress-relieving quakes is actually more concerning than the swarms themselves.
Watson discusses his conversations with Gordon Michael Scallion about seismic windows and deep earthquakes, including the mysterious 1994 Bolivia quake at 410 miles depth that was felt as far away as Toronto. He describes walking Scallion through one of his earthquake visions by phone, confirming the physical distress these experiences cause.
