2004 Indian Ocean Chile Alaska earthquakes seismic moment

Three quakes released nearly half a century’s seismic moment

Almost ½

The 2004 Indian Ocean, 1960 Chile, and 1964 Alaska earthquakes together accounted for almost half of the seismic moment released by earthquakes worldwide from 1906 to 2005. The 2004 quake alone accounted for roughly one-eighth.

One disaster can bankrupt an insurance company

Insurance relies on the idea that not everyone will need a payout at once. But a hurricane or earthquake can damage thousands of insured properties simultaneously. The resulting claims can overwhelm an insurer’s reserves. That is why insurance companies buy insurance themselves, called reinsurance, to share the cost of catastrophes.

Dung beetles may save the U.S. cattle industry millions

~$380 million/year

By quickly burying livestock dung, dung beetles take away places where pest flies can breed. One estimate puts the savings to the U.S. cattle industry at $380 million each year.

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2004 Indian Ocean Chile Alaska earthquakes seismic moment

Three quakes released nearly half a century’s seismic moment

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