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 provide a 4D image of an active linkage zone between two major faults, offering insights into fault behavior and implications for seismic hazard assessment. The study highlights the importance of reevaluating 'silent' seismogenic sources in assessing earthquake risk.
Research suggests that some parts of the Alpine Fault, particularly around Hokitika and Greymouth, may experience strong ground shaking more often than previously thought. The study found evidence of a 19th-century earthquake along the fault's northeastern end, indicating that smaller earthquakes could occur between large rupture events.
Researchers at KAUST have updated the model for earthquake-prone regions like California, finding that the strength lies in the upper crust and the lower crust exhibits more ductility over time. This 'crème brûlée' model supports regional hazard assessments for populated territories.
Scientists warn that seismic guidelines in Canada's national building code may be inadequate for Metro Vancouver's unique geological conditions, particularly the Georgia sedimentary basin. This could put taller, older buildings at greater risk during a magnitude-9 Cascadia earthquake.
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.
Research finds smaller earthquakes (magnitude 5.5 and below) are the main source of strong shaking at a 60-kilometer distance. These 'little earthquakes with ambition' produce more shaking than expected, often causing significant damage.
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake triggered by hydraulic fracturing in a Chinese shale gas field occurred along a fault about one kilometer deep. The event challenges current understanding of seismic risk for shallow faults, highlighting the need to reassess evaluation strategies.
Scientists at Imperial College London have developed a method to estimate the likelihood of future earthquakes in high-risk areas, improving precision by up to 49%. By analyzing rare atoms in precarious balance rocks (PBRs), they created a new technique to validate earthquake hazard estimates.
The study found that long-period buildings experienced the most amplification of shaking from the Ridgecrest earthquake, with maximum amplification occurring in the western part of the L.A. basin and the south-central San Fernando Valley. This could result in high-rise buildings in those areas experiencing shaking four times larger tha...
Researchers investigated luminescence caused by landslides and found different rocks emit light due to unique reasons, with granite exhibiting remarkable photoemission. The study uses ultra-sensitive cameras and spectroscopes to analyze the phenomenon, which could lead to advancements in earthquake prediction and disaster prevention.
A Stanford-developed model shows that fluids ascending by fits and starts weaken the fault, propelling the boundary or locking depth upward. This process can trigger earthquake swarms, strings of quakes clustered in a local area, often too subtle to notice but sometimes strong enough to rattle cities.
A magnitude 5 earthquake near Le Teil in southern France revealed unexpected surface rupture and ground displacement, reactivating the ancient La Rouvière fault. The event raised concerns about seismic risk in France and Western Europe, with potential for other faults producing similar surface ruptures.
A team of researchers has tracked a rare 'boomerang' earthquake in the ocean for the first time, revealing how it can cause devastating effects on land. The study used underwater seismometers to monitor the Romanche fracture zone and recorded a magnitude 7.1 earthquake with a unique reversing rupture mechanism.
The study reveals an 'inchworm-like' slip evolution of supershear rupture along the Palu-Koro fault, showcasing the effect of complex fault geometry on rupture propagation. This phenomenon may have significant implications for assessing future earthquake impacts and related disasters.
Researchers found that animals exhibited unusual behavior up to 20 hours before earthquakes, with stronger reactions closer to the epicenter. The movement data were evaluated using statistical models, suggesting a potential for an animal-based earthquake early warning system.
Researchers analyzed groundwater level changes around Kumamoto City after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, finding a significant increase in groundwater levels due to increased permeability of the mountain aquifer. The study suggests that earthquakes can alter hydrological environments and release water from mountains.
A new study maps over 22,000 tremors to recreate the complex three-dimensional structure of a fault zone in southern California. The research reveals that dynamic pressure changes from natural fluid injections controlled the evolution of an earthquake swarm in the region.
A four-year-long earthquake swarm near Cahuilla, California was driven by a naturally occurring injection of underground fluids, revealing complex conditions for fluid flow within the fault zone. The study provides new insights into seismic processes and brings closer concrete explanations for how earthquake swarms start and terminate.
Seismological studies revealed that weak rocks formed over 500 million years ago controlled the pathways of the 2016 magnitude 6.0 Petermann earthquake. The unusually long and smooth rupture was guided by these zones of weaker rocks, which can help forecast future earthquakes.
Researchers found a 'wobble' in Japan's landmasses before the 2011 magnitude-9 earthquake that killed over 15,500 people. The movement, detected by GPS data, may indicate future large subduction-zone earthquakes. However, the study's findings cannot be applied to other subduction zones without comparable data.
Researchers found that large earthquake sequences are 'burstier' and more difficult to predict than expected, with irregular gaps between event bursts. This finding could impact seismic hazard assessment and the way we evaluate an event's likelihood of repeating soon after a large earthquake.
Researchers have found that fault segments connected at depth can influence earthquake risk and magnitude. A study suggests that a rapid decay in slip at the edge of a fault segment indicates a connection below the surface.
Cervical cancer screening rates dropped by over 3% in four areas of Miyagi Prefecture after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, with rates still lower five years later. Long-term monitoring is needed to restore screening rates in affected areas.
Researchers found a strong 'cross-correlation' between inter-earthquake distances and times, especially after large earthquakes. The study's results could help seismologists better understand earthquake patterns and inform policymakers about disaster preparedness.
Researchers propose that rocks colliding inside a fault zone during an earthquake produce high-frequency vibrations, which could help explain puzzling seismic patterns and predict quake damage. The new explanation suggests smoother faults with rounded internal structures may produce less damaging quakes.
A new algorithm can detect changes in gravity caused by earthquakes, potentially leading to earlier warnings and more accurate predictions. The signal is generated by the sudden shift in the earth's internal mass during an earthquake, and its detection could help identify strong earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis.
A long-term UCLA-led study of Armenian earthquake survivors found that early psychotherapy significantly improved depression and PTSD symptoms in adolescents, with benefits continuing into adulthood. Factors such as social support and chronic medical illnesses also played a role in the development of PTSD and depression.
Researchers found multiple faults with evidence of over 10 meters of slip during past large earthquakes in the Japan Trench fault zone, revealing a complex history of seismic activity. The technique used to analyze organic molecules in sedimentary rocks provides new insights into the likelihood of future tsunamis and earthquake hazards.
A high-resolution catalog of earthquakes from the 2019 Ridgecrest sequence reveals complex rupturing and crosscutting fault structures. The catalog helps researchers understand the triggering and evolution of the sequence, shedding light on the physics and processes involved.
A new study has recalculated the magnitude of the Great Lisbon Earthquake from 8.5 to 9.0 to 7.7 using macroseismic data from Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. The analysis suggests that the earthquake's epicenter was offshore the southwestern Iberian Peninsula and may have involved faulting onshore.
A new study finds that volunteer tourism can aid disaster recovery in communities by considering local conditions and the community's needs. The study examined the impact of volunteer tourism programs in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake, showing its potential to contribute to recovery and resilience.
Researchers at University of Technology Sydney developed a novel ground anchor technology to protect bridges against catastrophic earthquakes. The system uses high-tensile capacity steel cables, embedded into the ground behind the bridge, to deliver incredible strength and energy dissipation.
A new study from the University of British Columbia found that vivid images are more effective than statistical data in conveying earthquake risk. The researchers created an image showing a Vancouver elementary school after a major earthquake and found that people who saw it were more likely to sign a petition for seismic upgrades, wit...
Researchers developed a method to forecast probability and severity of aftershocks, analyzing seismic patterns and incorporating statistical methods. This tool provides a useful approach for mitigating earthquake hazard, enabling timely updates based on new data.
A new algorithm developed by University of California, Riverside researchers can spot patterns in massive datasets quickly, improving earthquake detection and monitoring insect vectors. The SCAMP algorithm has been used to detect 16 times more earthquakes than previously known and can also analyze the behavior of chickens.
New findings published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America extend the history of Teton Fault earthquakes, suggesting multi-section ruptures may have occurred. The study, which analyzed trenches around Leigh Lake, estimates a 10,000-year-old earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 to 7.2.
A team of researchers from UC Riverside has determined a new geometric model for the Main Himalayan Thrust fault, allowing officials to better prepare for future earthquakes. The study found that the fault is still accumulating stress and may have increased the likelihood of another big earthquake nearby.
Researchers found that a shallow frozen ground layer present in winter months can lead to greater ground failure and damage after earthquakes. The study on two historical earthquakes in Kazakhstan shows that the presence of this layer can generate more severe ground fracturing during earthquakes in the winter.
Researchers found that a shallow frozen ground layer likely caused more ground failure in the 1911 Kemin earthquake due to its ability to inhibit drainage of pore-pressure excess. The study suggests seismologists should consider seasonality in soil characteristics when making probabilistic liquefaction or ground failure assessments.
A University of Iowa-led study found that Southern California earthquakes increased stress on the Garlock Fault, a major earthquake fault line. The research showed 'aseismic creep' along a 12- to 16-mile section of the fault, indicating it is sensitive to stress changes.
Researchers used 3D models of Cascadia megathrust events and geological evidence to recreate the 1700 earthquake's impact on the Pacific Northwest coast. The study suggests that a rupture extending just offshore could cause coastal subsidence, with an estimated magnitude between 8.7 and 9.2.
A new study published in Seismological Research Letters found that deep landslides triggered by the 1964 magnitude 9.2 Great Alaska earthquake were not reactivated by the 2018 magnitude 7.1 Anchorage earthquake. Researchers attributed this to the shorter duration and higher frequency of shaking during the 2018 quake, which likely kept ...
A comprehensive analysis of the Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence reveals a web-like network of interconnected faults, challenging standard models of large seismic events. The complexity of the rupture is only clear due to the combined data from orbiting radar satellites and ground-based seismometers.
A recent NTU study found that widespread liquefaction in irrigated areas contributed to devastating landslides in Palu, Indonesia, during the 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The research highlights the urgent need for Southeast Asian nations to review locations with intensive rice farming activities near active faults.
The researchers identified underlying causes of the deadly Palu earthquake and tsunami using coupled computer models. The team found that the earthquake-induced movement of the seafloor beneath Palu Bay itself could have generated the tsunami, meaning landslides contributed less to its formation than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed past major earthquakes in Mexico and Chile to understand earthquake cycles and calculate future seismic hazards. The data also helped develop new ideas about the physical processes involved in seismic rupture, geometry of subduction, and tsunami generation in the region.
A recent study analyzed 100,000 localized seismic events to search for patterns in the data. Researchers found that earthquakes of differing magnitudes share more similarities than previously thought, suggesting predictable characteristics may aid forecasting.
Researchers led by Abhijit Ghosh are studying the unknown fault that caused a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Ridgecrest, California. The team aims to understand the physics behind earthquakes and develop more effective warning systems.
A PSU professor is conducting a four-year research project to understand how households in Nepal recover from natural disasters, with a focus on the long-term impacts of the 2015 earthquake. The study aims to identify key factors driving recovery and social transformations in communities affected by disasters.
Researchers have pinpointed the source of acoustic signals emitted by stressed faults in a numerical model, which could lead to more accurate earthquake predictions. The study reveals that the collapse of stress chains inside an earthquake gouge emits these signals.
Researchers developed a model forecasting earthquake hazards in Oklahoma due to fluid injection, highlighting the importance of pore pressure diffusion and poroelastic stresses. The study found that mandatory reduction in injection volumes substantially reduced earthquake probability in western Oklahoma but not central Oklahoma.
The University of Texas at Arlington is developing an algorithm that models the effects of earthquakes on water pipeline infrastructure. This model determines how best to use limited infrastructure funding to make pipelines less prone to earthquake damage.
Scientists from SMU, UT Austin and Stanford University found that the majority of faults underlying the Fort Worth Basin are sensitive to forces that could cause them to slip. The new study provides fundamental information regarding earthquake hazard to the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
A new optical sensor developed at Berkeley Lab can provide reliable information on building damage immediately after an earthquake. The Discrete Diode Position Sensor (DDPS) measures interstory drift and will speed up efforts to safely assess, repair, and reoccupy buildings post-quake.
Researchers at GEOMAR have directly measured tectonic strain build-up on the North Anatolian fault in the Marmara Sea, posing a significant threat to Istanbul's metropolitan region. The study suggests an earthquake with magnitudes between 7.1 and 7.4 could trigger catastrophic consequences similar to the 1999 Izmit earthquake.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake filled a significant knowledge gap in understanding Himalayan seismicity, revealing that the Main Himalayan Thrust fault changes geometry along-strike. This finding improves understanding of earthquake hazards in India and Nepal by identifying potential locations for future earthquakes.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake's rupture length was likely controlled by spatial variations in the Main Himalayan Thrust, according to a new study led by Prof. BAI Ling from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research. The researchers used seismic waveforms and waveform modeling to determine source parameters and velocity structures.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that historical earthquake stresses can predict future seismic activity. Researchers analyzed centuries-old written records of damage to reveal 97% of earthquakes occurred on positively stressed faults.
A new sediment core from Zipingpu Reservoir provides direct evidence of the link between a large earthquake and its sedimentary signature. The study found that hydrological forcing played a crucial role in transporting debris downstream, even in proximal locations.