There are earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger quite often, probably every week. And under 6 (like the 5.8) are even more common. I'll hold my assertion that i

There are earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger quite often, probably every week. And under 6 (like the 5.8) are even more common. I'll hold my assertion that it seems to be a more active week than normal in the seismological world. Your comment adds nothing here and is not backed up by any evidence; "probably every week" does not count as evidence. The majority of the number that the USGS counts includes quakes below the ocean. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/eqstats.php http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/eqsta... The USGS calls anything 6+ "large". A magnitude 6 earthquake can be deadly. Even magnitude 5 < can be deadly. There are factors at work depth of the quake as well as other factors, like location where it hits. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deadly_earthquakes_since_1900 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deadly_earthquakes_sinc...