Probabilistic maps detail degree of hazard within broader zones, providing perspective on actual risk to users. Liquefaction probability is highest in some areas along major creeks with a water table close to the surface.
Researchers used repeating microearthquakes to estimate the deep slip rate of the Lijiang-Ninglang fault, yielding a value of 5 mm/yr at 23 km depth. This discovery provides a new method for inferring slip rates along active faults and sheds light on earthquake recurrence.
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.
Researchers use simulated earthquake tests to improve seismic assessment tools and critical retrofit designs for non-ductile reinforced concrete frames with masonry-infilled walls. The project aims to assess the resistance of these structures under realistic seismic load conditions, developing reliable analytical models to evaluate the...
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.
The project uses laptops with built-in accelerometer chips to detect tremors, allowing for faster earthquake detection and more accurate location of strong motions. With many sensors, it's possible to provide several seconds of warning before an earthquake hits neighboring regions.
Researchers Theresa Jefferson and John Harrald will study social vulnerability in response to an earthquake involving the New Madrid fault. The grant from FEMA enables them to focus on displaced persons, shelter needs, commodity requirements, and special needs in Phase III of the Mid America Earthquake Center research agenda.
Researchers found significant geological stress increase on three major fault systems in China's Sichuan province after the May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The stress brought nearby faults closer to failure and increased the probability of another major earthquake in the region.
Researchers at Rice University are developing adaptive, 'smart' shock absorbers for buildings and bridges in earthquake-prone areas. These intelligent systems can sense the type of shockwave arriving and react with the best strategy to minimize damage.
The Chinese earthquake has triggered a significant risk of flooding and power shortages in the Sichuan Basin, which could last for decades. Dr. Alex Densmore's research found that landslides and sediment buildup pose a major threat to river valleys and reservoirs.
A team of researchers has discovered a slow earthquake triggered by the 2007 dike intrusion at Kilauea Volcano, demonstrating the connection between magmatism and earthquake faulting. The study used satellite and GPS data to track the movement of magma and show how it triggered the slow earthquake on Kilauea's south flank.
The Blanco Transform Fault Zone has experienced over 1,500 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater in the past 40 years, with many thousands of smaller quakes. The region's tectonic stress may affect the Cascadia Subduction Zone, potentially leading to a major earthquake.
Researchers from UC San Diego and the University of Arizona conducted three months of rigorous earthquake simulation tests on a half-scale three-story structure, producing powerful jolts up to magnitude 8.0. The project aims to develop better designs for precast concrete buildings and improve their connections to resist earthquakes.
Researchers used topographic analysis to identify active faults in the Sichuan earthquake, which can help refine existing maps of earthquake risk. This approach can shed light on blind and hidden faults in remote mountainous areas.
Researchers measured seismic wave speed changes before two small earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault, finding anomalies that occurred hours before the events. The findings suggest a 'stress meter' could provide an indication of imminent earthquakes.
Researchers detected minute geological changes that preceded small earthquakes along California's San Andreas Fault by up to 10 hours using new instruments. The findings suggest a fundamentally different approach to current earthquake warning systems.
Researchers used a model to study stress changes on faults after the May 12 China earthquake and found heightened rupture likelihood for some faults. The study suggests that potential for failure exists on some faults, but does not predict when or if an earthquake will occur.
A new analysis of the devastating May 12 earthquake in China found that it resulted from faults with little seismic activity. The quake occurred at a boundary between two tectonic plates and was caused by the obstruction of rapidly flowing crustal material, leading to a simultaneous rupture of two separate but contiguous faults.
A two-year-old mud volcano in Indonesia was triggered by drilling operations, according to a detailed scientific analysis published this week. The study disproves the theory that an earthquake was responsible for the eruption.
Researchers discovered that an Antarctic ice stream radiates seismic waves, similar to earthquakes, due to the 'stick-slip' phenomenon. The ice stream moves about 18 inches within ten minutes, producing two bursts of seismic waves per day.
Numerical earthquake models are providing a means to understand physical processes and predict earthquakes, reducing damage and loss of life. Simulations show that surface-rupturing earthquakes absorb more seismic energy than buried ones, resulting in less ground shaking.
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.
A team of international scientists mapped and analyzed geologically young faults in Sichuan Province, finding clear evidence of slip during the last few thousands of years. The faults showed rates of slip varying between fractions of mm per year to possibly many mm per year.
A study suggests seismic hazard maps for New Madrid and Charleston zones may be less dire than current predictions, as a new model assumes earthquakes are less likely to occur immediately after a major quake. The 'time-dependent' model sheds light on assumptions in hazard mapping, which affect building codes and preparations.
Researchers are joining forces to study past earthquakes in the archaeological record, which can provide valuable insights into seismic hazard estimates. A new standardized method, known as the Archeological Quality Factor (AQF), is being proposed to document the certainty of ancient earthquake records.
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 have found a potential link between seismic activity on the southern Cascadia Subduction fault and major earthquakes along the northern San Andreas Fault. The study suggests that Cascadia earthquakes may trigger San Andreas earthquakes, with an average recurrence rate of approximately 220 years for both faults.
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.
The project aims to develop an artificial immune system that can protect individual robots and the larger collective organism from faults. By sharing information and energy, the robots form a single artificial life-form with enhanced capabilities, such as rescuing earthquake victims.
A team of researchers used a supercomputer-powered virtual earthquake program to calculate realistic simulations of megathrust quakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The simulation found that ground motion could be up to twice as large and duration shaking could last up to five minutes, posing major damage to metropolitan areas like S...
Researchers understand that a smooth decrease in stress at the end of a primary fault reduces the likelihood of an earthquake jumping to another fault. This study highlights the importance of slip gradient and rupture front acceleration in determining fault jump probability.
Researchers discovered a rare doublet earthquake event near Japan, with two large quakes occurring over 60 days apart. The second quake was triggered by bending of the Pacific plate, shedding light on seismic dynamics and potential hazards in regions far from tectonic plate boundaries.
Jacobo Bielak has been awarded $1.6 million from the NSF PetaApps program to develop advanced earthquake computer simulations that can improve disaster planning and preparation. The new grant will enable the creation of three-dimensional models simulating how earthquakes impact buildings, bridges, and other critical urban infrastructures.
Scientists have discovered that sound waves can trigger earthquakes in a laboratory setting, inducing aftershocks long after the initial quake. This finding has significant implications for understanding earthquake behavior and may provide clues to catastrophic events in other granular media.
A new study by UC Davis researchers found that the Loma Prieta fault exhibits more stresses and slip directions in its aftershocks than previously thought. The findings suggest a more complex deformation pattern, contradicting previous assessments of the fault's weakness.
Researchers have successfully drilled four boreholes into the ocean floor near a major earthquake fault zone in Japan. The team collected geophysical information about the rock layers while drilling, revealing unexpected differences in physical stress conditions between active and inactive parts of the plate boundary.
Researchers suggest that large earthquakes emit electromagnetic signals days or weeks before they strike, potentially providing early warnings. However, the scientific community needs to take notice and verify these findings.
New research at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, limits potential ground movement to 3.6 meters per second, reducing earthquake risk. Small earthquakes may serve as predictors for large ones, contradicting conventional seismology theories.
Researchers identify correlation between 3D basin geometry and observed shaking in previous earthquakes, leading to improved construction and seismic hazard assessments. A new tool for evaluating site conditions is also proposed, which could aid in risk assessment for earthquake-prone regions worldwide.
The NanTroSEIZE expedition aims to retrieve geological samples and provide scientific data from the Nankai Trough fault zone. The program will drill deeply into the Earth to observe earthquake mechanisms in a well-known subduction zone, providing new insights into naturally occurring processes responsible for earthquakes.
Researchers at University of Oregon and US Geological Survey identified past activity clues for the Southern San Andreas Fault, ranking 316 event indicators. They also improved the accuracy of physics-based predictive earthquake simulations, enabling safer building designs.
A CU-Boulder-led study suggests that a 2006 tectonic plate motion reversal near Acapulco did not ease seismic strain in the region. Instead, it sped up by four times, making a major earthquake less likely, according to Professor Kristine Larson.
Researchers have found clear evidence that a major Alaskan earthquake in 2002 triggered tremor episodes on Vancouver Island, revealing the presence of slow-slip events in a subduction zone. The tremors were measured by seismometers and lasted about 15 seconds, providing valuable insights into the rupture process.
A leading expert challenges the theory that an Indonesian mud volcano was triggered by an earthquake. Professor Richard Davies of Durham University's Centre for Research into Earth Energy Systems says drilling operations are more likely to be responsible.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake triggered a slow-rupturing tsunami with unexpectedly high wave heights, catching lifeguards off guard and claiming over 600 lives in Java, Indonesia. The study highlights the limitations of traditional warning systems for tsunami events near earthquakes.
Researchers at University at Buffalo developed a seismic design methodology for bridge towers that allow them to rock during earthquakes, reducing construction and retrofitting costs. The new approach uses devices to control the tower's uplift and absorption of earthquake energy.
A new report suggests that ocean warming may cause changes to the planet's rotation, potentially shortening the length of day by approximately 0.12 milliseconds. Additionally, researchers have found a link between seasonal seismicity in the Himalayas and fluid infiltration, which could modulate earthquake generation.
Researchers from Oregon State University will travel to Indonesia to collect piston core samples from the seafloor, analyzing evidence of past earthquakes and tsunamis on the Sunda subduction zone. They aim to recreate the seismic history of the region, shedding light on devastating natural disasters.
Scientists have discovered that earthquake-induced gravity field changes can slowly recover to initial conditions, possibly due to simultaneous diffusion of mantle water. This self-healing system could significantly reduce permanent shifts in the Earth's rotation axis by earthquakes. Meanwhile, recent trends in Arctic Ocean mass distri...
Shirley J. Dyke successfully tested wireless sensors in a simulated structural control setting, demonstrating their potential to reduce damage from earthquakes. The technology has the potential to enable less manpower requirements and far less remodeling of existing structures.
Coral reefs on Pulau Simeulue and Pulau Banyak were severely damaged due to the 2005 earthquake, with some species suffering up to 100% loss. However, despite initial mass mortality, some coral species are beginning to re-colonize shallow reef areas, offering hope for recovery.
Engineers at UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering used a virtual building to test the impact of the 1994 Northridge earthquake on a 275-ton structure. The virtual model allowed researchers to visualize data from over 600 sensors, gaining new insights into structure performance and enabling 'what if' simulations.
Scientists found strong evidence that a major earthquake can cause a nearly immediate increase in regional volcanic activity. The intensity of two ongoing eruptions on Indonesia's Java Island increased sharply following a powerful earthquake, and the increased activity persisted for about nine days.
The Seismological Society of America honors MIT's M. Nafi Toksoz for his 40-year investment in the field, defining seismology and its practice. He has mentored over 100 postdoctoral students, promoting a research environment at MIT.
A recent study found that media accounts of past earthquakes, such as the M7.6 Bhuj, India earthquake of 2001, can be misleading due to a natural bias towards dramatic effects. The research compared written accounts with ground-based surveys and concluded that the media bias can be significant, particularly at stronger shaking levels.
A geophysicist from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute urges officials to consider all subduction-type tectonic boundaries as lethal due to the unpredictability of massive earthquakes. The expert highlights the importance of warning systems and educational outreach to coastal communities to mitigate the impact of tsunamis.
A recent study found that a magnitude 8.0 earthquake in Tonga was likely a slab-tearing event, which explains why the resulting tsunami was relatively small and caused no damage. The researchers deployed seven seismograph stations to record aftershocks beneath the surface, providing insights into the nature of earthquakes in the region.
Researchers at the University of Nevada used precariously balanced rocks to test seismic hazard predictions, measuring forces and angles to determine when an earthquake has not occurred for a long time. The study provides important information on seismic hazards in areas throughout the West, including data on ground-motion probability ...
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to reinforce soil by injecting bacterial cultures that convert loose sand into rock, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional chemical treatments.