Earthquakes water rivers

2003/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Geologia

After severe earthquakes, the surrounding rivers have a higher flow of water, as if it had rained. The phenomenon is known almost a hundred years ago, but geologists have not yet understood why and how it occurs. Some experts consider that the discharge to the rivers is water from the interior of the rocks. According to one hypothesis, the earthquake compresses and squeezes the rocks, while another holds that the earthquake causes cracks in the rocks by which the water is poured.

On the contrary, researchers at the University of California do not believe that rocks are the source of water. After several experiments, they have concluded that water comes out of the soil. When a strong earthquake hits the earth saturated with water, the pores are compacted and the water emerges. The results indicate that only earthquakes measuring more than 6 on the Richter scale could increase the flow of rivers.