A team of geologists and aid workers warn that the Sarez Lake in Tajikistan is a ticking time bomb, with a natural dam on the verge of breaching. If the dam fails, it could unleash a wall of water devastating hundreds of mountain villages and killing hundreds of thousands of people.
USGS scientists will present findings on prehistoric earthquakes, seismic hazards, and the structure of the Seattle basin. The presentations will provide insights into the probabilities for future earthquakes in the Seattle area and the current seismic hazards of the Pacific Northwest.
USGS scientists Mike Fisher and Art Frankel will discuss the potential effects of major quakes in Seattle using data from last year's SHIPS project. Scientists from other organizations will also describe the probabilities for a large earthquake in the Puget Sound area.
New study using GPS satellites tracks ground motions in Midwest seismic zone, revealing little to no motion across the area. The results suggest National Seismic Hazard maps should be revised to reflect lower estimates of earthquake risk, potentially leading to cost savings for new construction.
The Geographic Information System Interactive Map Server allows users to view maps of major geographic features, including location of earthquake faults and technical data. The site draws on databases created at Cornell over the past six years, making geological data accessible to researchers and educators worldwide.
A 40-kilometer-long fault system has been identified directly under the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which is believed to have caused significant damage in recent earthquakes. The newly mapped 'blind-thrust' fault system stretches from downtown LA to northern Orange County and could potentially generate massive 7.0-magnitude quakes.
A new way of dating earthquakes has been developed by Vanderbilt University researcher Jay S. Noller, allowing for a more precise timeline of past quakes and a more accurate assessment of future quake probabilities. By studying bedrock formations, Noller was able to determine the timing, frequency, and likelihood of future quakes.
Scientists have provided direct evidence that the Earth's innermost core is solid, contradicting a long-held assumption of a liquid core. This finding was made possible by advances in instrumentation and computer capabilities, allowing researchers to detect the characteristic vibrations of a solid core.
A new study found that surface fractures and strains in a 1971 California earthquake were caused by two nearby faults, contributing to damage to streets, highways, and buildings. The study also revealed that the San Fernando fault zone is 11 miles long, instead of the previously assessed 8 miles.
A scientific team's findings suggest that tsunamis may pose a significant threat to the Pacific Rim and other coastline regions due to the instability of submarine structures. The team believes that earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater can trigger massive underwater landslides, resulting in devastating tsunamis.
A computer simulation model of a tsunami wave shows how energy spreads out over hundreds of miles as it travels through deep ocean water. The model is used to estimate impact force on structures and reduce damages caused by tsunamis.
The USGS has released a new seismic hazard map for the Western Hemisphere, providing a comprehensive tool for assessing potential earthquake damage. The map is the result of nearly a decade of cooperative work by scientists from around the world and will be available online and in various publications late this year.
Recent research by the USGS aims to characterize and mitigate earthquake hazards in the region. The study highlights that nearly every state east of the Mississippi River has experienced damaging earthquakes, with some causing widespread damage.
The American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting will feature presentations on earthquake hazards, ocean science, and Mars research. Scientists will discuss recent discoveries and share insights on natural restoration of contaminated aquifers.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is enabling geologists to study earthquakes in real time, revealing incremental motion and slow squeezing within plates that can lead to earthquakes. This technology is improving earthquake hazard studies by allowing for more accurate predictions of seismic activity.
Researchers at Columbia University have devised a computer model that shows how earthquakes occur in a pyramidal distribution, with one larger quake and multiple smaller ones. The model helps estimate the likelihood of future damage by analyzing the relationship between faults and earthquake distributions.
The U.S. Geological Survey presents a forum on reducing losses from natural disasters, featuring California's experience in earthquake risk management and mitigation. The event aims to share lessons learned from the Northridge earthquake of 1994 and explore potential models for nationwide disaster reduction plans.
Researchers directly observed the 'healing' process of an earthquake fault in California's Mojave Desert. The post-quake 'healing' restores the Earth's crust stiffness and renews resistance to rupture. The study provides insights into the faulting cycle, strain accumulation, and fluid presence controlling earthquakes.
Scientists are studying the Hayward Fault, South Bay Stepover, and Loma Prieta to better understand their movement patterns. They found that some portions of the fault have locked up, leading to unrelieved stress at greater depths, while others exhibit complex creeping behavior.
Researchers will study advanced technologies to minimize earthquake damage and losses in critical facilities like hospitals. They will examine retrofitting methods, smart materials systems, and monitoring systems to detect post-earthquake damage.
The University at Buffalo's National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research has been awarded a $10 million grant by the NSF to study advanced technologies for minimizing earthquake damage. The center aims to quantify the earthquake threat, develop new technologies, and improve emergency response through the use of advanced technolo...
Researchers used tree-ring analysis to confirm a devastating 1700 earthquake along the Pacific Northwest coast triggered a tsunami that flooded coastal Japan. The study provides new evidence for the Cascadia subduction zone's role in earthquakes of magnitude 9.
Researchers discover the San Andreas fault cuts straight through the crust and Moho, affecting stress buildup and earthquake hazard predictions. The study improves understanding of rock boundaries, types, and stress accumulation to better assess seismic risks.
Researchers Paul Richards and Won-Young Kim analyze seismic data to verify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, concluding the event was an earthquake with 'excellent' monitoring capability
Cornell University has received a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support research in earthquake loss reduction. The funding will focus on developing advanced technologies to predict and mitigate earthquake damage, with an emphasis on improving emergency response systems.
Researchers will focus on assessing earthquake resistance and retrofitting options for major structures in urban areas. The project aims to develop more sophisticated criteria for earthquake hazard prevention, potentially saving $10 or more in building costs for every dollar spent on research.
Researchers from USGS, UC Berkeley, LLNL, and PG&E are studying the northern segment of the Hayward fault by excavating 10-foot-deep trenches. They will analyze soil layers, pollen, and carbon-14 to establish past earthquake dates and recurrence intervals. The project aims to inform the updated Bay Area Earthquake Probability Report.
A study published in Environmental Geology suggests that a magnitude 5 or 6 earthquake could raise the water table by up to 750 feet at the Yucca Mountain storage site, leading to potential flooding. The researchers used computer modeling based on geological data and historical quakes to make their predictions.
The Hayward Fault's southern end has moved at double the rate of its northern portion, causing rocks to be 'piled up' on one side and stretched on the other. This increased strain suggests a magnitude 6 earthquake could occur in the near future.
The USGS has reported that at least 1,025 people have been killed in earthquakes this year, exceeding the total for 1996. The country-specific data highlights significant risks to public safety, particularly in Iran where a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck and killed over 965 people.
In 1996, a total of 72 significant earthquakes occurred worldwide, with one great earthquake (magnitude 8.1) causing 108 deaths and widespread damage in Indonesia. Another major quake in China resulted in over 251 fatalities and left nearly one million homeless.
The NSF is installing 250 ground-based monuments to track satellites and study earth movements in Southern California, enabling scientists to follow Earth's crust movements with unprecedented detail. The network will provide valuable insights into earthquake potential and strain buildup, helping to identify areas of high seismic activity.
The USGS National Earthquake Information Center lost near real-time data from the AT&T Telstar 401 satellite, but regional networks and cooperation with other seismic networks maintained earthquake monitoring. Smaller earthquakes are now harder to track due to slower reporting times.
Researchers measured steady, imperceptible movements of faults since the 1994 Northridge earthquake using GPS data from over a dozen receivers. The force of 'after-slip' has added about six inches to nearby Granada Hills, highlighting the difficulty in fully accounting for strain leading up to earthquakes.
A recent earthquake in Peru has bolstered a researcher's theory that large earthquakes will not occur in a specific region near the quake site. The study found a correlation between plate shape and seismic activity, identifying areas of low seismicity called seismic gaps.
The California Department of Conservation has released six preliminary seismic hazard zone maps, highlighting areas susceptible to landslides and liquefaction in San Francisco and Southern California. The maps will help local governments identify areas requiring geologic or soil investigation before urban development permits are issued.
Scientists are installing a network of 250 Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to continuously measure the movement of earthquake faults in southern California. The data will enable researchers to forecast future earthquake hazards and prioritize mitigation activities.
Researchers analyze slow earthquake signals at San Andreas Fault, revealing complex picture. The slow process was comparable to that of a regular earthquake, with total displacement across rupture surface of only a few centimeters.
Despite advancements in technology, reliable short-term earthquake predictions remain nearly impossible. Experts recommend redirecting funds to disaster management plans and building codes instead.
Researchers have developed a new technique to predict earthquake magnitude based on rock structure, providing more accurate assessments of seismic risk. By analyzing data from 37,000 earthquakes in southern California, the team created 3D images of subsurface rock formations that reveal varying maximum depths along and across faults.