USGS Coverup

Let's notice a huge discrepancy in earthquake reporting. The BBC says the March 25, 2002 quake in Afghanistan registered "about seven on the Richter scale." The U.S. Geological Survey lists it as a 6.0. In a smaller discrepancy, the USGS lists yesterday's Japan quake as a 6.3. China's news agency reports 6.9. Then they updraded the magnitude of the Afgan quake from 6.0 to 6.1, and the Japan quake from 6.3 to 6.5. If the BBC and Xinhua figures hold up, this will mark at least the fourth earthquake this month in the vicinity of 7.0 or more. If news reports claim there are 5,000 people feared dead and no standing homes now in the vicinity of Nahrin, Afghanistan, my limited knowledge of earthquake reporting says this is more consistent with a 7.0 than a 6.0. My faith in the integrity of USGS figures is about as solid as my faith in the Bush/Enron Administration.

Offered by Mike.

Another earthquake discrepancy. Get this: On March 26, 2002 ABC News reported that the March 3 earthquake in Afghanistan registered a huge 7.9. But back on March 3, the U.S. Geological Survey called it a 7.2, a major difference given the logarithmic Richter scale. They now call it a 7.4. And if you recall, on March 26 the USGS listed that day's largest Afghan earthquake as a 6.0, which they've now upgraded to a 6.1. Meanwhile, the BBC said that quake registered “about seven” As a result of that earthquake, it was widely reported that the town of Nahrin was virtually obliterated. National Public Radio (U.S.) also reported that large swaths of trees were knocked to the ground. Also, the USGS has upgraded the March 5th earthquake in the Philippines from a 7.2 to a 7.5.

Offered by Mike.