For the third time in the last 30 days, an earthquake struck the town of Peabody, Massachusetts. Due to growing concern from residents there, Mayor Ted Bettencourt has scheduled a community forum for next Wednesday to discuss the unusual earthquake activity.
In a statement released by Bettencourt, he said, “To help residents gain a better understanding of Peabody’s recent earthquakes and related phenomenon, we will host a community forum on Wednesday, August 25th at 6pm in the Wiggin Auditorium at Peabody City Hall. We will be joined that evening by Boston College Professor of Geophysics and consultant Dr. John Ebel and also a representative of the USGS who will provide an overview and answer any questions from residents.”
In the scheme of earthquakes, they’ve been relatively light. On August 25, a 1.4 magnitude quake hit; on August 4, a 1.2 magnitude quake hit. Yesterday’s earthquake, which hit after 3 pm, registered as a 1.3 magnitude event. While they’re light, they’re well noticed, with some residents describing them as “like an explosion.”
In recent weeks, residents have also reported hearing loud bangs. Mayor Bettencourt said, ” These noises understandably are causing distress not only for the affected residents but for many others in our community. The City’s Emergency Management Director Fire Chief Joe Daly and I have had several meetings with representatives of the USGS, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). We have asked these agencies to provide us with their support and expertise relative to what their analysis describes as natural phenomenon.”
