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Seismological Society of America


Simulations show distinct ground motion signatures of supershear earthquakes

Researchers found that sustained supershear earthquake ruptures produce stronger ground motion amplitudes and higher peak ground velocity up to 20 kilometers away from the fault. The duration of shaking also varies between subshear and supershear ruptures, with longer shaking near the fault due to a 'double punch' effect.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 21, 2026

New constraints on subducting plate near Oregon coast suggests increased ground shaking during Cascadia megaquake

A new study suggests that a shallower Juan de Fuca slab beneath northern Oregon could increase estimated peak ground acceleration by 9-17% during Cascadia megathrust earthquakes. The research also identified a deep sedimentary basin beneath Tillamook, Oregon, which could amplify ground shaking and have been well-studied in other parts ...

Study demonstrates excellent potential of earthquake early warning system in Alaska

A new report estimates that an earthquake early warning (EEW) system could provide at least 10 seconds of warning time for hazardous shaking in Alaska. Increasing the density and spacing of seismic stations can add up to 15 seconds, according to researchers. The study aims to help expand the US ShakeAlert system to Alaska.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 5, 2025

Can seismic signals detect fragmentation of a fireball meteoroid?

Researchers successfully used seismic signals to detect the re-entry of a Hayabusa2 sample capsule and compare it with signals from natural meteoroids. The study found that intact objects had a distinct seismic signature compared to fragmented ones, providing valuable information on planetary defense strategies.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 23, 2025

First analyses of Myanmar earthquake conclude fault ruptured at supershear velocity

Researchers analyzed seismic data to conclude that the 2025 Myanmar earthquake ruptured at supershear velocity, reaching speeds of up to 6 kilometers per second. The rupture occurred along a 480-kilometer stretch of the Sagaing Fault, causing significant damage and loss of life in Myanmar and neighboring countries.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2025

Could seismic signals from earthquakes mask the signals of an underground explosion?

Advanced signal detectors have a low success rate detecting underground nuclear tests when seismic signals from nearby earthquakes overlap. Researchers found that even sophisticated multi-channel correlation detectors can only identify explosions with a 37% success rate, contrasting with a 97% success rate without earthquake interference.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2025

How wide are faults?

A study by Christie Rowe and Alex Hatem found that faults are typically branching networks of fault strands, making them hundreds of meters wide. This suggests that significant parts of the broad array of fractures can be activated in a single earthquake.

Nuclear monitoring system suggests landslide cut off internet in west Africa

Researchers used hydroacoustic data to detect a possible submarine landslide in Trou Sans Fond Canyon offshore of Ivory Coast, which may have broken communications cables and disrupted internet traffic in March 2024. The detection could help identify threats to undersea infrastructure and inform engineering standards.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2025

Researchers forecast shaking damage from crustal earthquake scenarios in Mexico City

Researchers forecast shaking damage from crustal earthquake scenarios in Mexico City, with varying levels of damage depending on the region's underlying geology. The study modeled earthquakes up to magnitude 5.5 and found that one- to two-story buildings received the most damage, particularly in areas with soft lakebed sediments.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

Claims for the world’s deepest earthquake challenged by new analysis

A team of researchers re-examined the aftershock sequence of the 2015 Bonin Islands earthquake and found no evidence for a record-breaking deep aftershock in the lower mantle. Instead, they discovered a distribution of aftershocks compatible with a 12-kilometer olivine sliver that sheds light on how deep earthquakes can occur.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 22, 2025