Researchers have developed a new global map to predict giant earthquakes at subduction zones, including the Australian region. The study identified several regions capable of producing massive earthquakes, while others are not predicted to experience such events.
Researchers find remarkably low frictional heat produced by fault slip during magnitude 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake, which triggered devastating tsunami. The low resistance to slip may explain the large amount of slip that occurred during the earthquake.
An international team of scientists has measured the 'frictional heat' generated during the rupture of Japan's 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in 2011. The study found that the fault is more slippery than previously thought, with a friction coefficient of 0.08.
A team of international scientists has published studies revealing a submarine earthquake caused the devastating 2011 tsunami in Japan's Tohoku region. The findings suggest that other zones in the northwest Pacific may be at risk of similar huge earthquakes due to unusually thin and slippery geological faults.
The University of Bristol has developed a large semi-autonomous drone called the ARM system to provide visual and thermal monitoring of radiation after nuclear material releases. The system can detect radiation and prevent exposure to response crews, improving safety in disaster response scenarios.
Researchers discovered that locusts use a unique mechanism to process sound, with energy density amplified as waves travel across the eardrum. This phenomenon could lead to practical possibilities for tiny microphones and signal processing.
NOAA's Marine Debris Program awarded $967,000 to 11 groups for locally driven marine debris prevention and removal projects. The projects will remove derelict fishing nets, litter, lumber, tires, and other harmful marine debris from shorelines and coastal waters.
Researchers analyzed Europa's cracks to determine if the moon spun around a tilted axis at some point. The analysis suggests that a small tilt of about one degree occurred in the past, which could explain the orientation of the long cracks. This finding may also affect estimates of Europa's ocean age and heat generation.
Researchers uncover new geological phenomena, including mirror-like faults, petit-spot volcanism, and water in nominally anhydrous minerals. These discoveries shed light on the complex processes shaping our planet's surface.
Researchers created an animal model of adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) using the TSUNAMI method, providing insight into disease progression and potential treatment. The study revealed that only moderate levels of SMN protein are needed in the adult nervous system for normal function.
The USGS has released new seafloor maps, data layers, and videos for the entire California coast, providing a comprehensive base-map series. This collaboration between state and federal agencies, academia, and private industry aims to inform coastal managers and researchers about seafloor habitats, geology, and ecosystems.
A study in AIP Advances describes a muon imaging technique that could help assess damage within the reactor's core, locate melted fuel and potentially reduce radiation doses. The method uses naturally occurring muons to image dense objects, offering advantages over traditional muon imaging.
A new study has found that online tools, such as NEEShub and the project warehouse, are helping to accelerate progress in earthquake engineering and science. These platforms provide a centralized repository for experimental results, making them accessible to researchers, practitioners, and educational communities.
Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.
Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered a relic seawall in Bay Head, NJ, that played a crucial role in protecting homes from Hurricane Sandy's storm surges. The 1882 structure, buried beneath the beach, provided significant dampening of waves and prevented widespread destruction.
Researchers from UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory used data from the Japanese Hinode spacecraft to measure the Sun's magnetic field. The study found that the field is approximately ten times weaker than previously estimated.
Researchers investigate strain localization, atmospheric CO2, and ultra-high pressure metamorphism, shedding light on geological phenomena. Intensified Southern Hemisphere Westerlies are found to regulate atmospheric CO2 during the last deglaciation, highlighting critical parameters for the global carbon cycle.
A Stanford University study reveals that sound waves from earthquakes can reach land tens of minutes before a massive tsunami, potentially providing an early warning. The research identifies a specific acoustic signature that could indicate the presence of a tsunami-generating earthquake, allowing for faster-acting warning systems.
Researchers used GPS data to measure ground deformation caused by a large underwater earthquake, providing accurate warning of the resulting tsunami in just a few minutes. This method can provide fast, detailed, and accurate tsunami alerts, overcoming limitations of traditional seismological methods.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania used a fossil-based technique to study the 1700 Cascadia earthquake and its impact on coastal land levels. The study revealed that the rupture was heterogeneous, similar to recent major earthquakes in Japan, Chile, and Sumatra.
A recent study suggests the Makran subduction zone, beneath the Arabian Sea, has a higher potential for major earthquakes and tsunamis than previously thought. This could threaten the coastlines of Pakistan, Iran, Oman, and India.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami are the subject of a special issue in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. Researchers investigated the rupture process, seismic radiation, geodetic deformations, and tsunami waves. The study sheds light on the processes at work during giant earthquakes.
Scientists successfully retrieved temperature measurements of the fault that caused the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The recovered sensors provide critical data on frictional heat generated by fault slip during the earthquake.
A recent study suggests that a tsunami could affect the US East Coast due to the similarity in tectonic settings between offshore earthquakes and major Canadian earthquakes. The potential threat area stretches from New England to New Jersey, with several earthquake swarms detected off the Atlantic continental shelf.
James R. Rice, Harvard professor, will receive the Harry Field Reid Medal for his influential research on fracture mechanics and its application to earthquake processes. His work has defined standards for numerous frontiers of research, integrating theory, experiment, and observations.
Scientists have successfully controlled the flow of electrons within layers of a superconductor using terahertz flashes. This technique enables precise switching on and off of superconductivity, paving the way for new applications in information processing.
Timothy Berners-Lee, British man and inventor of HTML language, receives the Queen Elizabeth Prize for his groundbreaking contributions to the development of the World Wide Web. The prize is the most highly endowed award in engineering science worldwide.
A multi-university team, led by Ronald Riggs, conducted research to analyze the impact of cargo containers on buildings during tsunamis. They found that water does not significantly increase the load when a container strikes a building, and the weight of contents also doesn't matter much.
Researchers at Rice University and Moscow State University found that graphene oxide can bind to natural and human-made radionuclides, removing them from liquids. This discovery could be used to clean up contaminated sites like Fukushima nuclear plants, reduce costs of fracking, and revive rare earth metal mining.
A detailed analysis of Bonaire sediments suggests a 3,300-year-old tsunami changed the coastal ecosystem and sedimentation patterns. The study reveals overwash deposits consistent with a tsunami event, highlighting the long-term ecological significance of this single catastrophic event.
Dr. Kurokawa led an independent commission investigating the Fukushima nuclear disaster, exposing regulatory capture and cultural factors that contributed to the accident. The Commission's report was presented to Parliament and has since led to a safety-first standard for the global nuclear sector.
The study investigates how orangutans use their vision to search for food and navigate their surroundings, shedding light on their cognitive abilities and behavior. The research also aims to develop enrichment programs for captive animals, helping to reduce boredom and promote natural behaviors.
A father-son team has developed a mathematical model to balance costs and benefits of different disaster protection strategies. The approach considers optimization techniques and helps communities make informed choices about protection measures.
A recent analysis of Japan fisheries data reveals that most fish caught off the northeast coast remain below seafood consumption limits, despite tightened regulations. However, highly contaminated demersal fish consistently show high levels of cesium contamination from the damaged nuclear power plant.
A team led by University of Delaware researchers aims to create a robot that can drive vehicles, navigate environments, use tools, and manipulate equipment in disaster relief scenarios. The robot will focus on key tasks such as getting into and out of vehicles, driving factoring in difficult conditions.
Researchers have developed self-powered sensors that can harness heat from nuclear reactors to transmit data, addressing a critical monitoring issue. The sensors use thermoacoustic technology, exploiting the interaction between heat and sound waves to operate without electronic power or moving parts.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory have devised a method to use cosmic rays to gather detailed information from inside damaged reactor cores. The technique, known as muon scattering, showed superiority over traditional transmission methods for capturing high-resolution image data.
Experts analyze the biggest threats to democracy, including complacency and the erosion of democratic norms. International leaders share their personal experiences and insights on sustaining democracy in war-torn nations.
Scientific studies reveal pros and cons of free market approach to water trading in Australia's Murray Darling Basin. Researchers also uncover connections between typhoon tracks, rainfall patterns, and flood timing, with potential applications for improved real-time flood warning systems.
A Spanish research study has identified 23 nuclear power plants in Asia and beyond as being at high risk due to tsunamis, including Fukushima I. The study found that 74 reactors are located in the east and southeast of Asia, with some countries like China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Pakistan also facing significant risks.
A team of Australian researchers suggests that a 2.5 million-year-old meteor impact in the Pacific Ocean may have generated a mega-tsunami and plunged the world into the Ice Ages. The Eltanin meteor, up to two kilometers across, crashed into deep water, potentially destabilizing the planet's climate system.
The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is a comprehensive study on aging that will investigate factors affecting health and quality of life in Canadians. The Montreal component, launched by the Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, will collect data from 3,000 people between ages 45-85 for a 20-year period.
Researchers found that X- and Y-shaped ocean waves, predicted by mathematical equations, can form in shallow water near low tide. These nonlinear wave interactions can significantly increase a tsunami's destructive power.
A study found sharp increases in heart failure and pneumonia following the Japanese earthquake, while stroke and cardio-pulmonary arrest rates followed seismic peaks. Blood pressure was also elevated, but medication disruptions may have contributed to cardiovascular events.
A new study explores the largest kill-off in Earth history, shedding light on the competing roles of tectonics and climate in shaping landscapes. Researchers also investigate the early diagenesis of sulfur in a tropical upwelling system and uncover the origins of belemnites, a group of Mesozoic cephalopods.
New data from the Hinode mission reveals insights into the Sun's coronal magnetic field structure and an unusual asymmetry in its magnetic field. This finding could impact the behavior and prediction of the next solar cycle, which is critical for understanding our nearest star.
Two studies examine the psychological status of Fukushima nuclear plant workers and residents' internal radiation exposure after the 2011 meltdown. Researchers found high rates of psychological distress and posttraumatic stress response among Daiichi plant workers, while Minamisoma residents had low levels of cesium radiation exposure.
A CSHL-led team has developed a new method to model human genetic diseases caused by errors in RNA splicing. The approach, called TSUNAMI, uses targeted 'negative ASOs' to cause missplicing and pathogenesis, offering a unique window into disease progression.
Scientists have created a new, harmonized earthquake catalogue for Europe and the Mediterranean that spans over 1,000 years. The catalogue, known as the European-Mediterranean Earthquake Catalogue (EMEC), covers earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw 3.5 and larger in the northern part of the region, and Mw 4.0 in the southern part.
Stanford researchers estimate that radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster may cause 15-1,300 deaths and 24-2,500 cancer cases, mainly in Japan. The study uses a 3-D global atmospheric model to predict radioactive material transport and human exposure.
A team of scientists is investigating the hazard posed by landslide-tsunamis in the Arctic to the UK over the next 100 to 200 years. The study aims to clarify the frequency and timing of major Arctic submarine slides and assess their impact on human society and infrastructure.
A comprehensive study of tsunamis in Northwestern California has been compiled by UCSB scientists, revealing evidence of smaller strong-to-major earthquakes and larger quakes that involved the regional subduction zone. The research provides valuable insights into the region's seismic activity and potential for future tsunami events.
Researchers develop unique technology that keeps devices working in the presence of ionizing radiation, suitable for space applications and control systems, and overcome current radiation-resistant technologies' drawbacks. The new logic gates perform logical operations and can be used to build circuits such as adders and multiplexers.
A North Carolina State University study analyzed Twitter posts about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant after the 2011 disaster, finding that while people shared information quickly, it often lacked context and analysis. The study suggests that social media haven't significantly changed the content of our communications, but rather ho...
A new study by Oregon State University researchers reveals six major volcanic eruptions in Sumatra over the past 35,000 years, with explosive intensity comparable to Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption. The findings highlight a potentially deadly natural phenomenon threatening residents of the region.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that GPS on commercial ships could detect tsunamis with high accuracy, even in open ocean. This could provide critical data for predicting tsunami size and direction, saving lives and reducing costs associated with evacuations.
Researchers found that the earthquake's aftermath saw the resurgence of species on sandy beaches, while coastal armoring led to beach loss and decline in intertidal diversity. The study highlights the potential effects of natural disasters on sandy beach ecosystems worldwide.
A collaborative study found that earthquakes and tsunamis can revive habitats and bring back species thought extinct, while also exacerbating coastal erosion. The research highlights the importance of preserving sandy beaches as barriers against sea level rise and conservation.
The study found that Chile's sandy beaches experienced lasting changes due to the earthquake and tsunami, with uplifted beaches showing rapid recolonization of intertidal species. The data provides insight into human-altered coastal landscapes, which could inform future projects.
Researchers have discovered a new, non-invasive diagnostic method for Alzheimer's disease (AD) using advanced brain imaging technology. The technique analyzes specific brain chemical changes in the hippocampal region of the brain, providing a signature of early AD stages.