Seismologists  have found that molten rock lubricates faults. This decreases the amount of friction between sides of the fault and decreases the intensity of earthquakes.

As we all remember,in December 2004, an underwater earthquake triggered a string of tsunamis along the Indian Ocean with devastating effects. Now, scientists have found ways nature is preventing some deep ocean earthquakes and save lives. Strong underwater earthquakes start off silent .

Now, geophysicists and oceanographers have found a break in studying sea floor faults. Faults aren’t one continuous line. Instead, they are broken up into sections and the edges of the faults are full of cracks as the earth’s crust on both sides of the fault slides past each other.

Molten rock (magma) from under-sea volcanoes lubricates the fault, reducing the amount of friction that could cause another earthquake. By analyzing data collected by sea vessels, it was deciphered that volcanic activity may be weakening fault lines. The hot rock could be serving as a geological lubricant, making the fault line more malleable. Less friction means less of a quake.

By understanding what happens below the Earth’s surface, geophysicists are hoping to be able to send a warning . They say it is easier to study fault lines below sea level. They are simple in their geology and history. Fault lines on land have layers of history that make it harder to understand the physics of how they began.

read more at sciencedaily

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