Researchers from Tohoku University used agent-based simulation to visualize consensus building around geothermal power plant development in Japan. The model demonstrated how diverse opinions of stakeholders converge to a consensus, with factors such as stakeholder attributes, locations, and influential individuals affecting opinion for...
A new study finds that cell phone GNSS networks can accurately track crustal deformation, offering a more comprehensive view of seismic activity. By combining private and public sector networks, researchers aim to improve fault models and enhance disaster prevention.
Researchers have discovered evidence of a 500-year-old landslide and associated tsunami in the Gulf of Aqaba, which could have implications for coastline development in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The study predicts that future movement of the seabed might trigger more tsunamis in the region.
Researchers identified a hidden magnitude-8.2 earthquake as the trigger for the worldwide tsunami, which was buried within complex seismic waves. The study reveals the importance of accurately characterizing big earthquakes to mitigate tsunami hazards.
Researchers provide cost-effective actions to prevent pandemics, including better surveillance and wildlife management, with estimated annual costs under $20 billion. These 'primary pandemic prevention' actions can help prevent future pandemics and have substantial co-benefits for human health, environment, and economic development.
A new radiocarbon dating method has been developed to accurately date tsunami deposits, offering insights into past disasters and their frequency. Researchers have found that giant tsunamis have occurred at intervals of 100-200 years since the 1611 Keicho Oshu Tsunami.
Research provides first direct evidence of volatilization of control rods during the FDNichi meltdowns, suggesting that boron remains in the fuel debris. This could limit fission reactions, but extensive follow-up studies are needed to characterize boron species across debris fragments.
Researchers identify three key regional factors controlling subduction zone earthquakes and tsunamis. The study's unified model explains the physical processes during a major earthquake and tsunami, accounting for complex fault geometry and rock behavior.
The 2018 Anak Krakatau volcano collapse in Indonesia was triggered by long-term destabilization, not a sudden explosive eruption. The study found that the disaster was less likely to have been caused by magma forcing its way to the surface and triggering the landslide.
A new study finds that the magnetic field generated by a tsunami can be detected a few minutes before changes in sea level, which could improve tsunami warning systems. The researchers used real-world data from two tsunamis to confirm this relationship and provide valuable insights for improving tsunami source models.
Researchers discovered a connection between earthquake characteristics and tsunami size, finding that shallow rupture can produce larger tsunamis. This study suggests reevaluating the use of earthquake magnitude in estimating tsunami threats.
A large earthquake off the coast of south-central Chile in 1737 may have caused a substantial tsunami that was absent from historical records. Researchers analyzed sediments and found evidence of widespread sandy layers, dating to the same time as the earthquake, similar to deposits made by tsunami waves in other areas.
A new study predicts that future tsunamis will become more destructive as sea levels rise, particularly in the US West Coast. Rising sea levels will amplify tsunami heights even from smaller earthquakes, making coastal cities more vulnerable to devastation.
Coastal organisms thrive on floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, expanding their biogeography. The discovery reveals that plastic pollution is providing a habitat for coastal species to survive and even thrive in the open ocean.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba used a fractional diffusion model to predict Lake Onuma's radioactivity concentration after the Fukushima accident. The study found that the radioactivity decrease is slowed down in closed lakes like Lake Onuma.
A large-scale review of 65 studies found that mental health symptoms were comparable to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020, with larger rises for depressive symptoms. Researchers suggest an acute response to the pandemic followed by psychological adaptation and resilience.
A new study reveals that increasing human wellbeing and improving environmental resilience are not always compatible, especially when understood too simplistically. The research team argues that a more nuanced approach can help find win-win scenarios, prioritizing both people's livelihoods and the planet's health.
Wildlife exposed to low levels of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear accident showed no significant adverse health effects, according to a recent study. The research found that biomarkers of DNA damage and stress were not affected by chronic, low-dose environmental radiation exposure in wild boar and rat snakes.
Researchers are using geological history to better understand tsunami hazards and improve predictions of future events. A recent study in north-central Chile found geologic evidence of a 1922 tsunami, providing valuable insights into the region's tsunami risk.
Researchers at SFU have discovered a new source of earthquakes and tsunamis in the Greater Tokyo Region, located near tectonic plate boundaries. The study suggests that low-lying areas like Delta, Richmond, and Port Alberni may be vulnerable to tsunamis originating from this region.
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences analyzed tree rings from old-growth Douglas-firs on the Oregon Coast, revealing reduced growth following the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 1700. The findings confirm modeling of the quake's reach and provide insight into the impact of tsunamis on trees.
Researchers from Uppsala University and others found new clues about Indonesia's explosive volcanoes by analyzing lava minerals. The study enhances our understanding of how volcanism in the Indonesian archipelago works, helping predict volcanic eruptions.
A new model has been developed to simulate the correlation between iceberg size and tsunami amplitude, providing insight into glacial rupture mechanisms. The study's results can refine sea-level rise predictions and provide detailed information about icebergs' mass loss.
Researchers from University of California - Santa Barbara create model to couple dynamics of landslides and tsunami generation, predicting wave amplitude based on initial column geometry and water depth.
A small Japanese fishing community recovered from the 2011 Tohoku tsunami through cooperative activity, including joint operations and fixed-net fishing. This phenomenon challenges the 'disaster utopia' concept, which suggests temporary collaborative behavior after emergencies.
Researchers used seismic CT scans and supercomputers to study slow slip earthquakes in New Zealand's Hikurangi subduction zone. The study found that tectonic forces build up before releasing through slow motion tremors, revealing key processes involved in modulating slow slip.
A new computational model has been developed to predict the physical phenomenon inside very-high-temperature pebble-bed reactors. The model can accurately account for friction between fuel pebbles and its influence on cooling, allowing for safer and more efficient operation.
Researchers developed an AI tool called BRAILS to simulate risks to cities using crowdsourced data, neural networks, and supercomputers. The tool automatically identifies building characteristics and detects hazards like earthquakes, hurricanes, or tsunamis.
New data on Anak Krakatau volcano flank collapse provides a clearer picture of the event, which triggered a devastating tsunami in Indonesia. The research used synthetic aperture radar images, field observations, and aerial photographs to create a more accurate model of the volcano before and after it collapsed.
Researchers at NTU Singapore discovered a 32-year 'slow-motion' earthquake that led to the catastrophic 1861 Sumatra earthquake. The study highlights potential missing factors or mismodelling in global earthquake risk assessments.
A recent study by GEOMAR scientists has provided a comprehensive understanding of the northern Chilean subduction zone, shedding light on the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis. The data set, obtained through a unique deployment of ocean-bottom seismometers, revealed that aftershocks were located both beneath and above the p...
Researchers developed a global GNSS seismic monitoring system that can rapidly assess earthquake magnitude and fault slip distribution within seconds. This system can provide early warnings for large earthquakes and tsunamis, buying more time for evacuations and infrastructure shutdowns.
Researchers discovered overlooked tsunami hazards linked to undersea strike-slip faults, especially in areas like the San Francisco Bay and Izmit Bay. The study highlights the need to reassess tsunami hazard ratings for underwater strike-slip faults traversing narrow bays worldwide.
Earthquakes on strike-slip faults can cause shallow bay tsunamis, increasing hazard for coastal cities worldwide. Large horizontal displacements deform bay depth contours, displacing water and initiating tsunami waves.
Scientists have developed a new method to assess earthquake and tsunami hazards in offshore subduction zones, finding that hazards might be systematically underestimated. The study's findings have important implications for the mitigation of risk in affected areas worldwide.
A team of international scientists identified 47 problems hindering tsunami prevention and mitigation. The review highlights the need for unified databases, research, and improved analysis methods to better understand and prepare for tsunamis.
A new study explains that strike-slip faults, which were previously believed to trigger only small tsunamis, can generate unusually large waves like the devastating Palu tsunami in 2018. Researchers discovered a mechanism for these massive tsunamis to form, suggesting other coastal cities may need to reevaluate their risk level.
Researchers used genomic tools to investigate health effects of Chernobyl radiation, finding no evidence of genetic changes passed from parents to children. The studies identified genetic changes in thyroid cancer tumors of people exposed as children or fetuses to radiation released by the accident.
Researchers suggest that the 1700 Cascadia earthquake could be part of a longer-lived sequence of earthquakes, potentially spanning many decades. This hypothesis has significant implications for how earthquake hazard maps are created for the region, and may help explain why there is little geologic evidence of the event in some areas.
A shallow locked region south of Cartagena city suggests significant earthquake and tsunami hazard, with a magnitude 8.0 earthquake capable of occurring every 600 years. Researchers urge continued densification of the GPS network to better understand and evaluate this hazard potential.
Researchers studied historical data from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami to better understand the effects of COVID-19 on adolescents' mental health. They found that limited physical exercise can help reduce mental health issues, contradicting previous studies that showed worsening psychological status during lockdowns.
A recent study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that children who experienced housing loss during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake are more likely to prioritize short-term gratification over long-term rewards. The study analyzed data collected in 2012-2014 on 3- to 5-year-old survivors of the disaster.
Researchers found that ice loss near Glacier Bay National Park has influenced earthquake timing and location with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater since the past century. This study links expanding mantle movement with large earthquakes across Southeast Alaska, where glaciers have been melting for over 200 years.
Researchers at UPMC demonstrated that allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) can mitigate acute radiation syndrome, a condition known as total body irradiation. ASCs were found to improve survival rates and repair damage to the hematopoietic system in mice exposed to high levels of radiation.
Researchers analyzed data from dense seismic, geodetic and tsunami networks to understand the 2011 quake. The study found that a large coseismic fault slip ruptured into a shallow part of the Japan Trench's megathrust fault.
Researchers successfully detected storm swell events and earthquakes across a nine-month observation period using the Curie cable's telecommunications data. The approach transforms the ocean's fiber optic network into a continuous, real-time earthquake and tsunami monitoring system.
Researchers have identified two potassium-independent cesium transporters in plants, which can take up toxic cesium without affecting plant growth. This breakthrough has significant implications for phytoremediation and solving agricultural issues related to radioactive contamination.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a connection between slow-motion fault slips and fast earthquakes, finding that 'slow slips' precede dozens of large magnitude 7 earthquakes. These precursory slips are directly involved in starting the earthquake and migrate towards where the fast slip begins.
Research on tsunami generation, propagation, inversion, and warning has made significant progress since the 2004 Sumatra tsunami. Tsunami buoys remain the most reliable way for early warning, while new probabilistic methods offer improved hazard assessments.
A new research project at Aarhus University aims to create novel, biodegradable materials for sustainable electronics. The project, led by Assistant Professor Shweta Agarwala, uses materials science and printed electronics to develop materials that can replace traditional silicon-based components.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing argues that a biological account of human behavior can benefit human welfare. The researchers found that many undesirable consumer behaviors are biologically rooted in the brain and genes, and that acceptance of biology as a causal explanation varies depending on factors such as portray...
A massive paleo-tsunami struck near ancient Tel Dor between 9,910 to 9,290 years ago, erasing evidence of low-lying coastal villages in the area. The tsunami deposit was discovered through underwater excavation and modeling, with estimated wave heights ranging from 16 to 40 meters.
Researchers developed a state-of-the-art model that revealed high complexity in rupture processes even in simple oceanic faults. The study used seismic data from around the world to build a model of the 2020 Caribbean earthquake, finding variations in rupture speed and direction.
Researchers discovered massive glutamate surges in brain, sparking spreading depolarizations, a precursor to migraine with aura. The study suggests an imbalance between glutamate release and reuptake may contribute to neurologic diseases, including stroke.
A team of scientists proposes using fleets of commercial shipping vessels to detect and forecast tsunami waves. The network of ships would utilize GPS sensors to monitor the shoreline for potential surges in less than 10 minutes, providing a significant advance warning to people on shore.
A study using NASA satellite imagery reveals a landslide-generated tsunami threat in Barry Arm, Alaska, which could affect the surrounding area within the next 20 years. The glacier's rapid retreat has caused the terrain to become unstable, leading to a potential 3,000-foot landslide into the fjord below.
Researchers have measured a slow-motion landslide on an Alaskan slope, which could potentially trigger a devastating tsunami. The study found that the slope on Barry Arm fjord has slid over 120 meters from 2010 to 2017, posing a significant threat to nearby communities and shipping routes.
A new model has been developed to predict earthquake propagation speeds, resolving a long-standing inconsistency between theory and observations. The 3D model overcomes the limitations of previous 2D models and accounts for oblique sliding, making it more accurate in predicting seismic wave behavior.
Researchers have developed a new model of landslide-induced tsunamis that accounts for the initial location of the landslide body on the shelf slope. The study reveals that tsunami height is affected by the coastal slope and the position of the land mass before slipping, leading to more accurate predictions.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that nearly a quarter of healthcare workers experienced PTSD symptoms during acute pandemic phases, with elevated levels of mental distress also reported. The study aims to inform hospital managers on resources required to support staff through difficult times.