In reviewing seismic activity around the world as reported by the U.S.G.S. prior to writing this article the author also noted the number of earth quakes worldwide in the 5.0 to 5.9 range over the past ten years have nearly doubled, while in the 6.0 to 6.9 range have largely remained unchanged.
Looking at the 7.0 to 7.9 range the average has been 12.6 earth quakes per year, with an increase in frequency in the past two years. In 2010 a total of 21 earthquakes were reported in the range of a 7.0 magnitude. As of to March 17,2011 a total of six earth quakes above 7.0 in less than 2.5 months have reported and only one already reported higher than a 8.0 magnitude.
