Researchers, led by Kristy Tiampo, are working on a new approach to earthquake forecasting that can provide 10-year forecasts for several countries. They aim to pinpoint locations with high earthquake risk and inform government spending and preparations.
The January special issue of BSSA focuses on the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, which is the best recorded large earthquake in history. The study reveals that great earthquakes can occur in various types of subduction zones, not just fast and young ones.
Scientists analyzed data from a devastating 2006 Java earthquake that triggered a tsunami, leading to the development of an early warning system for earthquakes. Researchers also studied tectonic processes causing subsidence in Louisiana, while investigating ways to monitor volcanic explosivity through ground deformation near vents.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have found how fluid pressure can cause earthquakes by sealing fluids within fault planes for long periods. This pressure makes it easier for plates to move, resulting in an earthquake.
A new probability model designed by Stanford University geophysicists weaves together data from Global Positioning System (GPS) and the geological record to estimate fault movement rates. This time-dependent model reconciles the discrepancy between GPS-paleoseismology data, providing a more accurate picture of slip rates.
Analyses of a classic, slow-rupturing tsunami earthquake have provided insight into seismologists and engineers. The data revealed a secondary underwater movement that amplified the original tsunami, creating a wave run-up of over 60 feet along a one-mile section of coastline.
Researchers analyzed data on consecutive earthquakes to find that seismic activity may affect a larger area than previously believed, potentially supporting long-range earthquake triggering. This phenomenon challenges the traditional view of earthquakes influencing only their immediate rupture zone.
The study ranked top 10 states based on seismic activity, with Nevada ranking third, behind Hawaii and Alaska. The rankings were determined by analyzing earthquake data from 1898 to 2005, including data from the USGS catalog of significant U.S. earthquakes from 1568-1989.
A team of researchers found that earthquake swarms can occur anywhere with seismic activity, challenging the long-held assumption that they are only linked to volcanic and geothermal zones. The study suggests that swarminess in these areas may be driven by hot water or magma pushing fault seams apart.
Scientists detected gravity changes in the earth's surface caused by a massive Sumatran earthquake using satellite data. The study provides a clearer picture of how the earth changed after the 9.1-magnitude earthquake, which raised the seafloor and altered GPS measurements.
Scientists propose using GPS to aid in ocean-wide tsunami warning systems by detecting early seismic wave data. Researchers also explore unsolved problems in the lowermost mantle, including the origin of the D
Researchers have developed a new method using GPS technology that can determine the true size of an earthquake within minutes, allowing for faster tsunami warnings. This is much faster than current methods and has the potential to improve future tsunami danger assessments.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are testing a new damping system to reduce damage in woodframe structures during earthquakes. The NEESWood project uses fluid-filled shock absorbers to absorb energy and reduce strain on the structure, mimicking the effect of shock absorbers in cars.
A new project led by Georgia Tech aims to develop strategies to help ports manage seismic risk more effectively. The team will evaluate methods of preventing damage using large-scale tests and investigate applying similar approaches to managing risks from other natural hazards.
Researchers suggest that the subduction of the northern portion of the Juan de Fuca plate beneath the North American plate may be slowing and eventually cease, potentially altering the seismic hazard profile of the region. The discovery was made using advanced technology and data from formerly classified U.S. Navy hydrophones.
A massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra challenged long-held assumptions about quakes and subduction zones. The Great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake surpassed a magnitude 9 threshold, which contradicts theory that such large quakes occur at subduction zones with young, fast-moving crust.
Researchers used a large centrifuge to mimic the effects of Hurricane Katrina on levees, finding that earth sliding along a weak clay layer helped bring down the 17th Street structure. The study is part of a nationwide 'co-laboratory' of earthquake engineering facilities and aims to help prepare for future national disasters.
The study found that the 2004 earthquake was caused by rupture of a 1,000-mile stretch of the megathrust, spanning up to 93 miles at the surface. This has global implications for understanding earthquake hazards and may require reassessment of subduction zones previously thought to be at low risk.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are developing a new suite of ocean bottom seismometers to record both small and large earthquakes on the seafloor. The instruments will enable accurate recordings of foreshocks and mainshocks, providing critical data for understanding earthquake processes.
A recent study found that promoting both earthquake safety and economic development is possible for small towns in the Midwest. Researchers recommend tearing down old buildings as new ones are constructed and adding land to boost safety, leading to improved community safety and economic growth.
Researchers explore how science can help understand and alleviate poverty, with a focus on biophysical parameters and energy services. They find strong correlations between disaster vulnerability, soil fertility, drought frequency, and malaria exposure, highlighting the need for tailored solutions.
A Berkeley lab scientist has found a spike in micro-earthquakes followed by relative calm months before a large quake occurred. This discovery may help predict destructive earthquakes within a shorter time frame than current statistical tools.
Recent Himalayan earthquakes may be followed by larger events in the same region, while medieval earthquakes were much larger and less frequent. The study aims to understand what governs the recurrence interval and size of these rare events.
Researchers have completed the most meticulous survey ever made of the San Andreas Fault, revealing detailed features that were previously unseen. The 'B4' Project used ultra-high-resolution global positioning system (GPS) technology and a radar-like system called lidar to map the fault with 5-centimeter vertical resolution.
Researchers revisited the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to resolve a discrepancy between seismic and geodetic models. The new model suggests that the rupture propagated at 'supershear' speed, resulting in an earthquake of shorter duration.
The SAFOD project reveals a correlation between nonvolcanic tremors and microearthquakes, suggesting a possible causal relationship. The researchers also obtained seismic data during a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in 2004, indicating that damaged rock began forming mineral seals soon after the event.
A recent study examined the impact of the 1988 Spitak earthquake on adolescents in Armenia and found that psychotherapy provided sustained benefits even 1.5 years post-disaster. Untreated adolescents had higher levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms, while treated adolescents saw significant improvements in their conditions.
A new system can predict the total magnitude of an earthquake within seconds, allowing for tens of seconds of warning. This allows for critical actions such as shutting down power grids and evacuating buildings, potentially saving lives and reducing damage.
The Virtual California model forecasts almost 400 major earthquakes over 40,000 years, with a 25% chance in the next 20 years. The simulation indicates higher probabilities for future quakes by 2086.
A two-week survey of over 600 kilometers of Aceh's southwest coast will examine the damage to coral reefs caused by the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami. The survey aims to understand the extent of the damage and provide insight into the natural recovery process.
The US National Science Foundation and Japan will collaborate on disaster prevention research through shared access to experimental facilities, including the world's largest shake table. The agreement also includes the exchange of scientists and engineers.
Drillers penetrate active fault zone to observe earthquakes up close, allowing scientists to study conditions under which earthquakes initiate and grow. The SAFOD project combines data from the borehole with thousands of seismic measurements to investigate plate tectonics and fundamental scientific questions.
Researchers reassess the Hayward fault threat to San Francisco, predict space weather by watching the Sun, and discover a rock-solid source for Martian methane. A large shaking vehicle study found the Hayward fault is angled at 70 degrees to the east, potentially leading to unexpected earthquakes.
Scientists captured T waves from the Sumatra earthquake using underwater microphones at Diego Garcia, providing a direct look at the entirety of the large underwater event. The study reveals two phases: faster rupture to the south and slower to the north, with implications for tsunami risk and emergency relief.
Researchers used ocean sound waves to track the Indian Ocean tsunami quake's movement, revealing a slower speed than expected. A new model for raindrop formation may improve understanding of Earth's climate and cloud formation.
Scientists developed a new method to image the earth's rupture during the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean earthquake, providing a fresh perspective on the massive event. The technique uses first-arriving seismic waves to create detailed images in under 30 minutes, which could be used for public-warning and tsunami-alert systems.
A magnitude 7.2-7.5 earthquake on the Puente Hills fault could result in 3,000-18,000 deaths and up to $250 billion in property damage, according to a study by the USGS and USC. The disaster would be the costliest in U.S. history due to the fault's location under Los Angeles County and adjacent areas.
The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the earthquakes, including the longest fault rupture and duration of faulting, as well as the seismic waves that traveled around the globe. The researchers also found that the earthquake caused the planet to vibrate with 'free oscillations,' like the ringing of a bell.
Scientists led by Professor Jeffrey J. Park have detected the natural tones from seismograms after the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, providing information on Earth's deep mantle and core. The data supports a model of the earthquake that lasted about 10 minutes, with massive slabs of rock moving over 800 miles.
Scientists analyzed data from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, revealing a catastrophic event that highlights the need for more extreme worst-case seismic forecasts. The earthquake's impact was exacerbated by its location, which coincided with a popular holiday and high tide, resulting in widespread damage and loss of life.
Researchers used various models to recreate the rupture history and variation along the fault, revealing the earthquake's length, epicenter, and speed. The study provided valuable insights into one of the largest earthquakes recorded on modern equipment.
A recent South Asian disaster underscores the persistent risk of tsunamis, which can cause devastating damage and loss of life. Experts emphasize the need for broad public education about tsunami dangers and prudent safeguards.
A new study published in Geology estimates the maximum possible earthquake magnitude in the San Fernando and Northridge areas of Los Angeles County. The researchers used paleomagnetism to analyze sediments and found that the crust is broken into blocks, limiting the maximum earthquake magnitude to around 6.8.
Researchers developed a system that predicted six major earthquakes along East Pacific Rise transform faults using sensor data and foreshock detection. The study suggests short-term earthquake prediction may be feasible under certain circumstances.
The University of Ulster team found significantly increased levels of stress on two fault zones in Indonesia, including the Sunda trench and Sumatra fault. The analysis suggests a high risk of another earthquake, potentially triggering another tsunami.
The simulation reveals how tsunamis strike coastlines with devastating force, deforming sea water and affecting the earth's surface. The Cornell Multigrid Coupled Tsunami model, or COMCOT, calculates sea surface elevation based on earthquake data and topography.
A 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia shifted the North Pole by centimeters and decreased the length of day by 2.68 microseconds, according to NASA scientists. The quake also slightly changed the planet's shape and affected its oblateness.
The Indonesian earthquake's unique combination of a subduction zone and shallow depth made it particularly deadly, resulting in over 150,000 deaths. Scientists have developed technology to warn people of pending tsunamis, but an early warning system is lacking in the Indian Ocean.
Scientists studying uplift along the Oregon coast reveal similarities with past earthquakes, indicating an accumulation of strain for a potential future earthquake. A tsunami could cause widespread damage from Northern California to Vancouver, B.C., with waves arriving within minutes after shaking ends.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno developed a model that estimates the impact of a large earthquake in Los Angeles by studying an earthquake in Kern County. The study found that the hanging-wall side of thrust-fault earthquakes experiences more extreme motion and damage than the footwall side.
A hidden fault under Marin County, California, could significantly increase the earthquake risk in the San Francisco Bay Area. Researchers believe that a blind thrust fault, which is difficult to detect until an earthquake occurs, may be transferring motion from the northern Hayward fault to the San Andreas fault.
Roger Bilham warns that Iran is the worst offender, with one in 3,000 Iranians dying in an earthquake since 1900. The professor emphasizes the need for earthquake education to prevent fatalities in developing nations.
Researchers detected continuous tremors near Cholame, 15 miles southeast of Parkfield, which are similar to those discovered in Japan and the Pacific Northwest. The tremors, which last more than four minutes each, may be precursory to earthquakes, potentially leading to earthquake forecasting and prediction.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that slow waves in the earth's crust may be precursors to frictional movement causing earthquakes. By measuring these 'unfelt' waves using micro-scale technology, scientists hope to prevent earthquake-related damage through early warnings.
USC researchers warn that a strong earthquake could trigger a tsunami in San Pedro Bay, potentially devastating the largest container ports in the US. The study found that a magnitude 7.6 earthquake could cause waves to build to nine feet inside the harbor, threatening ships and coastal areas.
A recent NASA study has found a significant correlation between the retreat of glaciers and an increase in earthquake activity in southern Alaska. As glaciers melt, they lighten the load on the Earth's crust, allowing tectonic plates to move more freely, which can lead to earthquakes.
A new study suggests the Seattle fault played a role in causing damage to unreinforced brick chimneys in West Seattle and Bremerton after the 2001 earthquake. The research found that areas with heavy chimney damage experienced stronger shaking, indicating the fault may have acted as a megaphone to amplify seismic waves.
Researchers at Penn State found lags between the changes in forces and strength in laboratory simulations, with delays ranging from seconds to weeks after initial earthquakes. The study suggests a competition between compaction and dilation of granules in gouge zones contributes to delayed fault movements.
Scientists found prolonged changes in hydrothermal activity after a magnitude-7.9 Denali fault earthquake in Alaska triggered more than 1,000 small earthquakes in Yellowstone within a week. Some geysers erupted more frequently while others less often due to changes in water pressure and underground conduits.
Researchers discovered that a mineral gel formed during rock abrasion can reduce friction between rocks to near-zero levels at high shearing speeds. This finding has implications for understanding and predicting earthquake damage, as it could lead to more accurate simulations of seismic slip speeds and fault weakening processes.