Better Data in the end of last century may help explain this map.

[Ichingcarpenter]

http://www.thehorizonproject.com/earthquakes.cfm

But I don't think it explains it all.

[Taverner]

1. You would be surprised

Remember the Tsunami? Well that caused a lot of Asian countries to upgrade their seismographic equipment, and as a result, they are more sensitive to quakes.

[Sandrine for you]

2. Tsunami happens on december 2006...

And in this map, the acceleration begin before 2000. I just ask to be reassured because this graph is a little bit scary for me.:scared:

[FiveGoodMen]

4. Sure you're not thinking of 2004?

[Sandrine for you]

6. 2004...yes sorry.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. "Deadly and destructive quakes between 6 and 8"

Not just "all quakes between 6 and 8."

[Dead_Parrot]

5. I suspect better reporting of the 'deaths and destruction'

For instance, there were two mag 7.5 earthquakes in Sichuan in 1955, which don't show on the list: That's more than enough to level quite a few houses, but China has historically been less-than-open about troubles at home.

I think the rise is tied more to the growth of the internet than any funky tectonics.

[Ediacara]

7. Most of 2004 and 2005 are the Boxing Day Quake and it's numerous huge aftershocks

Many of the aftershocks of the 26 Dec 2004 quake would be considered monstrous earthquakes if they happened alone.

I think if very large quakes and their aftershocks were grouped as one "event" you'd see a pretty flat profile.

ON EDIT: I followed their link and found out that the spike in recent time is also largely attributable to the ability to detect and measure quakes in the open ocean, regardless of their actual death and/or destruction.

[SnowGoose]

8. Population shifts also modify deadly & descructive events

The same earthquake in a sparsely-populated region causes very few deaths.

It's an interesting graph, though, thanks for posting.

[sakabatou]

9. Apparently, God hates *.

[TechBear_Seattle]

10. Sorry, but I find this very suspect

The Horizon Project website is all about selling their DVD series about "breaking through the flawed explanations of fragmented modern theory that compound each year to further mask the truth." This is exactly the same kind of cant used to promote New Age theories, pseudo-science and most other crackpot ideas. The one doctor on their three person "science" team has an unspecified doctorate from an unspecified school; the other two are a businessman and a known crackpot. The site claims that their material has been "featured on many media networks and news articles" and they provide several corporate logos, but give no indication as to whether any of that coverage was positive or supportive.

Regarding the earthquakes, the related article can be read http://www.thehorizonproject.com/news.cfm#quakeupdate">here. It speaks of religious and "ancient" prophesy and provides no information as to the sources used to create this chart (which US Geological Survey data? What is the criteria used to distinguish "destructive" quakes from others?) The article claims that the "assumed reason behind the increase in deadly quakes is that large scale geological disturbances have usually struck in unpopulated areas" without providing a citation, nor does the article explain why this "assumption" is incorrect. It offers absolutely nothing to back up the assertion that "what was once relatively stabilized regions becoming unpredictable."

Sorry, but I call bullshit.

(And lest anyone take offense at my tone: If it gets posted to the Science forum, it is subject to scientific critique. The information provided does not pass such a critique.)