This BSSA tip sheet documents the long history of earthquake monitoring by the Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN), detailing its evolving sensitivity over time. Researchers also examine the predictive capability of models to estimate ground shaking during large earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Researchers found that toad populations in Italy shifted their behavior from breeding to evacuation mode five days before a significant earthquake. The ionosphere disruptions detected pre-seismic cues like radon gas releases and charged particles, allowing the toads to detect earthquakes earlier.
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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor and his team are monitoring aftershocks in Chile following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake on Feb. 27. The 10-member team installed over 50 broadband seismometers to record seismic activity along a 500-kilometer zone, providing valuable data for understanding the earthquake's impact.
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.
Scientists are conducting three expeditions to Haiti to assess the potential threat of more large earthquakes and understand which segments of the fault ruptured during the Jan. 12 quake. The expeditions aim to collect valuable geologic evidence and provide insights to prepare communities for future hazards.
A five-person team from the University of Washington assessed damage in Haiti after a magnitude-7 earthquake. The team found that much of the loss of human life could have been prevented by using earthquake-resistant designs and construction.
The Great Southern California Shakeout event helped identify the need for a single, discreet story to communicate devastating earthquake projections. Researchers found that scientists' focus on high-tech research and state-of-the-art projections often conflicted with citizens' demands for timely, simple information on issues.
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 aim to improve understanding of earthquake mechanisms and volcanic eruptions using highly complex calculations on supercomputers. The QUEST project will provide a more detailed picture of the Earth's internal structure, enabling better modeling of earthquake scenarios.
Researchers analyzed images of ground motion before and after the January 12 earthquake, confirming that only the western half of a fault segment ruptured. The data suggests a significant risk of another major quake striking Port au Prince within the next 20-30 years.
A new study by John Anderson of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory has compiled a list of 100 earthquakes with the strongest peak accelerations (PGA) and velocities (PGV) ever recorded, exceeding thresholds of 7.31 m/s2 for acceleration and 0.65 m/s for velocity.
A CU-Boulder expert emphasizes that disasters are preventable and that societies can take proactive measures to minimize devastation. The expert argues that the international community should prioritize preventive measures in disaster assistance, such as rebuilding infrastructure to withstand future disasters.
A team funded by the National Science Foundation is returning to Haiti to investigate the cause of a January magnitude 7 earthquake. The geologists will collect crucial data to assess whether the quake could trigger another major event, and provide important insights into the cause of the disaster.
A new computer study reveals that tensions in a fault zone south of Istanbul could trigger multiple earthquakes, increasing the city's earthquake risk. The study's findings suggest that built-up tension can unload in smaller quakes rather than one massive event.
Researchers at UC San Diego's Englekirk Structural Engineering Center conducted comprehensive shake tests on semi-gravity reinforced concrete cantilever walls. The project aims to improve the seismic design of California's thousands of miles of retaining walls, ensuring safer transportation systems.
Researchers have found regular patterns in small tremors between episodic tremor and slip events, suggesting a megathrust earthquake could occur closer to the Puget Sound region than previously thought. This new evidence is helping scientists refine building codes and better understand the hazard from a great quake.
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 recent study published in BSSA found that certain types of subduction zones exhibit lower earthquake production rates, contradicting previous assumptions. The research suggests that the efficiency of earthquake production is influenced by fault slip rate and relative plate velocity.
A trio of papers in Nature suggests a new method of predicting earthquakes, focusing on the stresses inside the Earth's crust. The forecasting model can estimate stress levels and provide an indirect measure of future quake sizes and locations.
The San Jacinto fault in Southern California experiences frequent mini-earthquakes due to deep creep, which releases stored stress. This phenomenon reduces the likelihood of a major earthquake, but does not eliminate it.
Most central US small earthquakes are aftershocks of magnitude 7 New Madrid quakes in 1811 and 1812. Aftershocks continue due to slow fault movement, unlike faster-moving faults like San Andreas.
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.
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.
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...
Scientists at Carnegie Institution found a way to monitor fault strength deep in the Earth using highly sensitive seismometers. This method detects subtle changes in earthquake waves indicating weakening of the fault and corresponding periods of increased small earthquakes.
A 2004 Sumatran earthquake may have weakened a portion of California's San Andreas Fault, changing its fault strength and potentially triggering increased global seismic activity. The study, published in Nature, examined seismic records from Parkfield, Calif., and found repeated microearthquakes occurred near the fault
New study locates source of L'Aquila earthquake, finding it increases seismic hazard in region. Researchers also find waning sea ice bodes stormier, rainier Arctic with increased precipitation. Additionally, scientists develop new method to measure snow depth using GPS technology.
The USGS is upgrading critical earthquake monitoring networks with new technology, providing emergency responders with more reliable data to save lives and reduce economic losses. The modernization project will create jobs and stimulate economic growth in regions prone to earthquakes.
The Purdue-led NEEScomm Center will connect 14 research equipment sites and the earthquake engineering community through cyberinfrastructure, education, and outreach efforts. The center aims to develop better ways of reducing earthquake damage through improved materials, construction techniques, and monitoring tools.
A new earthquake-resistant structural system has been successfully tested in Japan, demonstrating its ability to make buildings far more damage resistant and easier to repair. The system dissipates energy through steel frames that rock off their foundation under large earthquakes, confining damage to replaceable parts.
Researchers found significant alterations in brain function similar to posttraumatic stress disorders shortly after the Wenchuan earthquake. Hyperactivity in certain areas and decreased functional connectivity were observed, suggesting a need for early treatment and potential long-term psychological impact.
Researchers developed a hybrid approach to test how buildings collapse during powerful earthquakes. The new method is safer and far less expensive than traditional shake table tests, allowing for the testing of full-scale buildings. The study's results could help engineers design buildings that are less prone to sustaining damage.
Using ambient noise correlation, University of Illinois researchers Xiaodong Song and Zhen J. Xu observed significant changes in the behavior of parts of Earth's crust affected by three major earthquakes. The technique allowed them to detect tiny changes in seismic velocity over large areas.
Researchers used magnetotelluric sounding to detect large amounts of water in New Zealand's crust, revealing three processes that help deform the crust above it. The study found water is released at varying depths, contributing to earthquake generation and faulting in the region.
The CHIKYU vessel conducted the first riser-drilling operation in the Nankai Trough earthquake zone, reaching a depth of 1,603.7 meters beneath the seafloor. The operation provided valuable information on geological formations and stress-strain characteristics.
The Sichuan earthquake in 2008 destroyed nearly a quarter of the giant pandas' habitat, with over 354 square kilometers converted to bare land. Habitat fragmentation is also a significant concern, as it can lead to population isolation and increased risk of extinction.
Researchers discovered prominent faults beneath the Salton Sea that transfer tectonic strain away from the San Andreas Fault. This new understanding of the fault system could inform predictions of future earthquakes along the southern San Andreas Fault.
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.
A team of researchers will conduct the largest earthquake simulation on a wooden structure, exposing a seven-story building to forces of an ancient earthquake. The goal is to develop new design approaches for stronger and safer wooden buildings.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found that increased tremors along the San Andreas Fault near Parkfield, Calif., may indicate a build-up of stress and an increased likelihood of a major quake. The tremors have continued to this day at a rate significantly higher than before two nearby earthquakes in 2003 and 2004.
The University of Nevada, Reno's Seismological Lab is conducting a seismic survey through downtown Reno to create an earthquake hazard map. The team, led by Professor John Louie, is using industry techniques to map suspected faults and confirm previous findings.
A new study evaluates expected ground motion in Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver from earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 - 9.0, providing a tool to build or retrofit structures to withstand seismic waves. Ground motions are estimated for firm ground at the three sites, with a model that engineers can adjust for local soil conditions.
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.
A giant Cascadian earthquake could cause severe damage and possible collapse in Seattle's high-rise buildings, particularly those constructed before 1994 building code changes. The Seattle basin amplifies long-period motions, making tall steel buildings susceptible to low-frequency shaking.
Researchers are re-evaluating earthquake potential in the Central Coast region, a high-risk area with significant population growth. Fresh data from multiple datasets will focus on faults including the Hosgri Fault Zone and highlight newly identified features such as a linear trend of seismicity and magnetic anomalies.
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.
A massive earthquake swarm in Yellowstone National Park was analyzed by SSA researchers, revealing epicenter migration and sudden depth changes. The study suggests that hydrothermal fluids may be responsible for the swarm's source properties.
The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake had a profound societal impact, transforming earthquake sciences and engineering. The event led to improved understanding of earthquake processes and triggered major changes in building codes and disaster response.
A University of Nevada, Reno alumna's innovative straw bale house design survived a 200% increase in acceleration than the 1994 Northridge quake. The structure, built using locally sourced materials and labor, demonstrated exceptional seismic performance, surpassing estimates for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
Researchers linked pre-historic seismic events on the San Andreas Fault to assess likelihood of future great ruptures. Analysis suggests several events similar to a historical earthquake occurred since A.D. 900 on the southern San Andreas fault.
The newly-laid MARS cable enables the use of MOBB's broadband seismometer data in real-time with other land-based stations to determine earthquake locations and mechanisms. This improvement aims to enhance understanding of the San Andreas fault system and provide early warnings for ground shaking.
A new study from Purdue and Northwestern universities suggests the New Madrid fault system is less active than expected, with reduced surface movement indicating a possible shutdown. The team analyzed GPS data for eight years, finding the ground surrounding the fault system is moving at a rate of less than 0.2 millimeters per year.
Archuleta's research challenged long-held beliefs and prompted new research, leading to a better understanding of earthquake physics and hazards. He has also made significant contributions as a leader in the seismological community, including serving as president of the Seismological Society of America.
David Wald's work has advanced seismic data analysis, enabling efficient dissemination of earthquake information to first responders and the public. His programs, such as ShakeMap and 'Did You Feel It?', have become invaluable tools in humanitarian disasters.
Mudslides caused by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake may release significant amounts of greenhouse gas, including carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, into the atmosphere. The study found that the ecosystem impacts of these mudslides could be equivalent to twice the loss of nitrogen from California ecosystems due to wildfires.
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.
Researchers have discovered an abundance of pseudotachylytes, rocks formed under extreme heat and friction during earthquakes, in the Sierra Nevada. This finding reveals the importance of heat generated by the earthquake process and challenges previous assumptions about their rarity.
Scientists investigated early warning system accuracy, finding it unlikely to estimate large earthquakes with high precision. Rapid magnitude estimation works better when using multiple seismic stations in close proximity to the fault.