Scientists have used a new seismic method to investigate the collision process between India and Tibet, revealing a more pronounced boundary between rigid lithosphere and softer asthenosphere. The study provides insights into the processes involved in the collision and aims to reduce earthquake risk in the region.
A magnitude-8.1 earthquake triggered two major quakes of magnitude 7.8 within two minutes, affecting Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, with water levels reaching 49 feet above sea level
A magnitude-8.1 earthquake triggered two major quakes of magnitude 7.8 within two minutes, revealing a unprecedented pattern in the Samoa-Tonga region. The study suggests that normal fault earthquakes can trigger subduction zone quakes, affecting tsunami hazard calculations globally.
Scientists discovered a rare 'triggered doublet' event where two great earthquakes occurred seconds apart on different faults. The initial earthquake triggered another massive event with a total magnitude of 8.0, causing devastating tsunamis that killed 192 people.
Researchers are collecting high-tech sensing data from various sources to create a reliable early-warning system for train operators. The goal is to predict natural disasters and possible terror attacks on rail lines.
Two studies on Sri Lankan youths who survived the 2004 tsunami and civil war found that traumatic events and daily stressors like domestic violence have a significant impact on their psychological health. Researchers highlight the need for holistic policies and programs to reduce ongoing stressors.
Astronomers detected a record-breaking X-ray blast from beyond the Milky Way galaxy, temporarily blinding NASA's Swift space observatory. The burst, named GRB 100621A, was more than 140 times brighter than any continuous X-ray source in the sky.
An international team of scientists studied two Sumatra earthquakes, finding differences in sediment composition between the rupture areas. This difference may have contributed to a larger tsunami in the 2004 event, highlighting the potential for high tsunami hazards in this region.
Geologists found a lower density fault zone in the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, allowing it to slip over a longer segment and reach closer to the seafloor, generating larger tsunami waves. The study's findings could help improve hazard assessment and mitigation for this region.
The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean at the University of Washington will focus on 10 critical areas, including climate change, ocean acidification, and marine ecosystems. The institute aims to expand its research efforts with a potential $100 million award over five years.
The city of Cannon Beach is building a 9,800-square-foot structure designed to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis, with a cost of $4 million. The structure could shelter up to 1,500 people and serve as a model for other cities affected by tsunamis.
New analysis by Oregon State University scientists suggests a high probability of a magnitude 8.2 or higher earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, with 37% chance in southern segment and 10-15% in northern segment within 50 years. This risk is exacerbated by clusters of major earthquakes occurring every 250 years.
A new study of 9/11 survivors and victims' family members found that on-site psychiatrists can alleviate early trauma symptoms and reduce PTSD. Psychiatrists provided immediate aid to 848 patients in just over two months, with the most common symptoms including sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
A rare opportunity to study how a critically endangered species copes with an earthquake- induced tsunami has been provided by researchers. The Devils Hole pupfish inhabit a small, shallow pool in the Mojave Desert, and the quake's impact on their habitat and behavior was documented on camera.
Scientists discovered that aseismic slip in the Nazca tectonic plate can prevent earthquakes from propagating through certain areas. By analyzing GPS data and aftershock patterns, researchers found a 'patchwork' pattern of aseismicity, with some areas always slipping slowly and others rarely experiencing seismic activity.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that identifies the top 10 locations for tsunami detection buoys and sea-level monitors in the Indian Ocean. This could save time and money, as well as provide warning to more people in the event of a devastating tsunami.
Researchers investigate the seismic potential of the Cascadia subduction zone, exploring temporal clustering of earthquakes and the likelihood of a next event by 2060. They also examine slow slip phenomena and landslides, shedding light on precursory patterns that may save lives.
Scientists are conducting an expedition to study the rupture site of the 8.8-magnitude Chilean earthquake, mapping changes in the seafloor and searching for evidence of tsunami formation. The research will provide valuable insights into similar earthquake regions worldwide and inform tsunami warning systems.
A global database is necessary to guarantee accurate identification of victims in mass disasters, according to a new study. Radiological techniques are crucial in this process, providing documentation and useful information on skeletal trauma and tooth location.
A team of US engineers is traveling to Chile to document the effects of a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on February 27. The team will focus on soil and geologic conditions, as well as the performance of engineered structures in the quake.
A team of researchers, including UC San Diego's Richard Norris, presents new evidence linking an asteroid impact to the mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs and other organisms 65.5 million years ago. The study highlights a unique layer of debris in deep-sea sediments that correlates with abrupt environmental changes.
A team of mathematicians from Complutense University of Madrid develops a computer application to estimate the magnitude of natural disasters, providing useful information for NGOs. They also present an on-site humanitarian aid distribution model that could have been applied in the recent Haiti earthquake.
Researchers at UC San Diego are launching a project to improve communication and data-sharing among emergency officials during disasters. The new system aims to overcome obstacles such as unreliable wireless networks, staggering arrival times of responders, and rapidly changing infrastructure capabilities.
Stanford researchers recommend vertical evacuation as a safer alternative to fleeing tsunamis, but only if buildings are reinforced to withstand both earthquakes and tsunamis. The approach could save thousands of lives, especially in cities like Padang where residents live in high-risk zones.
A team of researchers found that community-based education and awareness programs minimized the death toll from the recent Samoan tsunami. The study suggests that tsunami education, awareness, and evacuation exercises played a crucial role in containing the death toll, with most people evacuated after experiencing an earthquake.
This November 2009 GSA Today article features research on microbial mats as evidence for early life, sag pond deposits that reveal seismic activity, and the formation of ooids in ancient sediments. Hillslope weathering patterns are also explored in relation to climate change.
Researchers documented tsunami-caused erosion in the Kuril Islands and found that waves can carry away nearly 50 times more sand and soil than they deposit. The study provides detailed insights into the scope of tsunami-induced erosion and its relationship with wave force and topography.
Research by Dr. Beverly Goodman exposed geological evidence of four tsunami events at Caesarea, including one from the Santorini volcano eruption in 1500 BC and others caused by underwater landslides. The findings suggest that local tsunamis could have reached 5 meters high and damaged coastal communities.
Yumei Wang, a geotechnical engineer, proposes tsunami evacuation buildings in the Pacific Northwest to mitigate the risk of massive tsunamis. The buildings would provide safe spaces for emergency response and long-term recovery, with estimated costs ranging from $1 million to $2 million.
A University of Toronto study found that genetically eliminating certain pheromones triggered a surge in fruit flies' libido, leading to same-sex and interspecies mating. The research suggests a link between sex, species recognition, and chemical signals in fly behavior.
The UCLA center will continue to serve as a key site for the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), facilitating cutting-edge research on seismic vulnerability and disaster preparedness. The center's state-of-the-art mobile field laboratory will enable researchers to test full-scale specimens under re...
A study by Professor Brigitte Nerlich's team found that the way people communicate about a threat largely determines how they understand it and behave towards it. The research focused on MRSA, avian flu, and compared media coverage with hospital matrons' language.
A new study suggests that future tsunamis could reach a scale far beyond the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, killing up to 35 people directly and causing extensive damage. The research indicates that rupture of an even larger area than previously thought could create an even bigger tsunami.
New research by Princeton University geoscientist Gerta Keller suggests that volcanoes, not an asteroid, were the likely culprits in the demise of the Earth's giant reptiles. The study found 'biotic evidence' and 'aftermath' sediments indicating a massive die-off occurred much later than previously thought.
Contrary to recent hypothesis, geologists argue that chevrons are not evidence of megatsunamis caused by asteroids or comets. Instead, they propose that similar formations can be explained by wind-blown deposits, supported by the presence of volcanic ash in similar locations.
New studies by Scripps Institution of Oceanography suggest a magnitude-7 earthquake occurs every 2,000 to 3,000 years in Lake Tahoe's basin. The largest fault in the basin, West Tahoe, appears to have last ruptured between 4,100 and 4,500 years ago, capable of producing nearly 500m of overlying water tsunami waves.
Scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School and University of Oxford have analyzed data to identify details of the major plate boundary event that destroyed 90% of Pisco, Peru. The study reveals maximum intensity and damage occur few tens of kilometers south of the epicenter.
The 2007 Solomon Island earthquake highlighted an increased tsunami risk caused by the unusual tectonic plate geography and rapid change in direction. The event showed a localized increase in tsunami heights, potentially creating near-trench islands.
Engineered sensors mimic the hair structures of blind cavefish, detecting underwater objects and navigation. The researchers found that adding a gel-like capsule improved sensitivity and detection range.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that donations are driven by overlap between donors and recipients, rather than cause-worthiness. Women tend to donate more to victims of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, while men donate more to victims of terrorist attacks.
Deep-sea drilling reveals extensive rock deformation and concentrated slip zones in shallow regions, contradicting long-held assumptions. The discovery sheds light on the complex mechanics of faulting and tsunamis, highlighting the megasplay fault as a key contributor to largest tsunami-generating plate slips.
A dramatic rise in sea level occurred about 400,000 years ago, exceeding 21 meters above current levels. This finding has significant implications for understanding the impact of future climate change on coastal ecosystems and biodiversity.
Recent research on Mars includes studies on the planet's geology and potential habitability. A new method for classifying Quaternary glacial deposits was also proposed by GSA Today's science article.
Researchers have found a connection between seismic slip and nonvolcanic tremor in the Cascadia subduction zone, potentially increasing stress on the megathrust fault. The findings suggest that slow slip events may lead to increased risk of megathrust earthquakes.
Scientists estimate that roughly 1.4% of tropical humid forests were deforested between 2000 and 2005, with more than half containing 50% or less tree cover. New remote-sensing technologies are required to monitor the changes caused by selective logging and forest regeneration.
Researchers conclude that mangrove and tree barriers erected to protect against tsunami are not effective and may even increase the risk of damage. Instead, experts recommend installing early warning systems, educating populations on tsunami signs, and implementing evacuation plans.
Men are more likely to give money to someone in their neighborhood if they give at all. Women tend to be more generous and give equal amounts to both groups. The study's findings have implications for fundraisers, suggesting charities should focus on relationships between donors and causes to ensure ingroup connection.
Researchers found that a magnitude 9.2 Indian Ocean earthquake triggered non-volcanic tremor at the Parkfield region of the San Andreas fault, approximately 125 miles away. This low-stress event sheds new light on seismic phenomenon and its potential role in releasing stress within an earthquake-producing fault.
Scientists analyzed coral and GPS data to determine the details of the 2007 breaks, finding that only one section had broken, releasing a quarter of the accumulated deficit over two centuries. The study provides valuable insights into the stress accumulation on the Sumatra megathrust.
A Caltech-led team found that the subduction zone in Sumatra has not released enough strain from recent earthquakes, increasing the likelihood of another large event. The researchers analyzed seismological records and data gathered by GPS stations to determine that only a quarter of the accumulated stress was released.
A recent study published in Nature found that Indian Ocean tsunamis of similar size to the 2004 disaster occurred between 1300 and 1400 AD and possibly earlier. The research suggests a 600-700 year recurrence interval for such events.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of at least three previous major tsunamis in the Indian Ocean over the past 2,800 years, with the most recent occurring between 550 and 700 years ago. The findings suggest that a region's tsunami history can serve as a long-term warning system, highlighting the importance of tsunami education.
The Triton Resource is a 3-pronged program focusing on data analysis, storage, and scalable clusters. It will enable UC San Diego researchers to process massive amounts of data, facilitating 21st-century research and education.
Physicists have made groundbreaking discoveries in various fields of research. Researchers created an 'invisibility cloak' for ocean-based structures to withstand tsunamis. Meanwhile, a team at Oxford University proposed that dark energy may be an illusion and instead, we live in a unique void in the universe. Additionally, scientists ...
Researchers found that tsunami survivors went through a complex process of trauma and grief, with nine chronological themes emerging from in-depth interviews. The study aimed to provide guidance for healthcare professionals to deal with traumatic events.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital discovered that depolarization waves in the brain spread through adjacent areas after a stroke, leading to further cell death. The study's findings may enable the translation of decades-long experimental research into clinical applications.
Researchers analyzed GPS data and coral growth bands to understand strain buildup between earthquakes. They found that locked fault zones store strain, which releases during future large earthquakes. The study aims to improve earthquake models and tsunami risk assessment.
Researchers investigate the mechanisms of historic tsunamis, finding that an underwater landslide triggered the 1908 Messina tsunami. Additionally, a study reveals that particle formation in the lower atmosphere fuels clouds by providing condensation nuclei.
Researchers found that a geological province previously thought to prevent giant earthquakes broke through, potentially increasing the risk of more severe quakes like those occurring in Cascadia Subduction Zone. This discovery could have significant implications for earthquake preparedness and response worldwide.
A team of scientists has obtained core samples from a subsea fault system off the coast of Japan, providing new data on how earthquakes are generated. The cores contain over 5,000 samples that will help researchers understand the evolution of the subduction zone and its relationship to earthquake and tsunami activity.