Scientists found that altering fluid injection rates near faults can reduce seismic events and magnitudes. Active pressure management may help control induced earthquakes in real-time, but more data is needed for specific site recommendations.
Researchers identified repeating seismic events at volcanoes in Costa Rica, offering insights into magma movement and gas activity. Drumbeat seismicity at Turrialba may have preceded a small eruption, while earthquakes halted repeating events at Poas by altering the stress field around the volcano.
Researchers find that a flat continental shelf off Mexico's coast efficiently traps edge waves, leading to unusually long-lasting tsunami waves. This phenomenon could pose a significant tsunami hazard in other regions with similar shelf shapes, such as the Pacific Northwest and northern Japan.
Seismologists reexamine the risk of megathrust earthquakes in the Caribbean, considering tsunami scenarios for a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and its potential impact on emergency management planning.
Researchers used eyewitness accounts from 2014 and 2016 to reconstruct the 1946 tsunami's heights and distances, challenging previous estimates. The study found tsunami heights over five meters and flooded areas of up to 600 meters inland.
Researchers monitoring natural rock arch vibrations found daily changes can predict potential collapse. The study uses resonance frequencies to forecast an arch's stability, with results suggesting no imminent failure.
Researchers at Nyiragongo volcano use a combination of seismic, infrasound, and satellite data to track the lava lake level, providing insights into magmatic system activity. The study helps improve eruption forecasting by understanding the relationship between pressure changes in the magmatic system and lava lake fluctuations.
Researchers reexamined historical seismograms from the 1906 Meishan earthquake to uncover a new mechanism that better fits fault rupture and damage patterns. This discovery will help improve understanding of complex fault systems in the region.
Researchers analyzed 729 reports of abnormal animal behavior related to 160 earthquakes, but found that most evidence consists of single observations and anecdotes. The team suggests a series of questions to analyze the data, including whether animal behavior is linked to specific rules or environmental changes.
A sediment core from Sluice Pond has identified a layer of light brown organic-rich mud deposited between 1740 and 1810, suggesting an underwater landslide possibly triggered by the 1755 Cape Ann earthquake. The discovery provides new evidence for historic seismic activity in New England.
A new model predicts landslide locations and runouts in near real-time, helping first responders plan reconnaissance flights and evacuate affected areas. However, the approach overpredicts landslides, limiting its use for exact location determination.
A new report by the Seismological Society of America concludes that wastewater created during oil and gas production is the probable cause for a surge in earthquakes in southern Kansas. Between 2012 and 2016, six magnitude 4 or greater earthquakes occurred in the study area, with decreases in seismicity corresponding to decreases in di...
The September 2017 earthquakes showcased the effectiveness of Mexico's SASMEX early warning system, which detected the magnitude 8.2 Tehuantepec earthquake and sent alerts to residents with almost two minutes' notice. However, improvements are needed to reduce processing times and ensure timely warnings for all residents.
A satellite-based earthquake early warning system called G-FAST performed well in a replay of three large earthquakes in Chile, providing accurate magnitude and epicenter estimates. The system's performance suggests it could provide early warnings for Chile's coastal communities.
A study published in Seismological Research Letters found no correlation between great earthquake rates and lunar phases or day of the year. Large earthquakes were matched with lunar phase and day data to rule out random patterns, and no significant effects were detected.
The ShakeAlert system, developed for the US West Coast, is fine-tuning a U.S. prototype that could be in limited public use in 2018. Key components include dense networks of seismic stations and education/training on using alerts.
Researchers suggest that the Parkfield segment of the San Andreas Fault must host occasional large earthquakes to balance its seismic moment deficit. The study found that the probability of an earthquake magnitude 6 or more is around 43% over 30 years and 96% over 200 years.
The Human-Induced Earthquake Database has grown to over 730 entries, revealing that mining projects and water impounded behind dams are the most common causes of induced earthquakes. Unconventional oil and gas extraction using hydraulic fracturing is also a frequent contributor, according to geophysicist Miles Wilson.
A comprehensive study of faults in the Olympic Mountains reveals three to five large earthquakes occurred within the last 13,000 years. The two most recent earthquakes are estimated to be magnitude 7 and 6-7 respectively, posing a significant threat to Seattle and other population centers.
Researchers used repair petitions to trace damage from the magnitude 7.3 event in Aguadilla, finding a consistent picture with modern-day data. The study provides detailed 'ground truth' of the 1918 quake's impact, useful for predicting future earthquake damage.
Researchers discover evidence of three past earthquakes in the area, one potentially magnitude 6 or greater, indicating active faulting and strong seismic activity. The study suggests that large earthquakes may have occurred in the late Pleistocene era during the last North American ice age.
A new report suggests that changes in wastewater injection rates in disposal wells may have led to the Pawnee earthquake, the largest recorded in Oklahoma since the 1950s. The quake was triggered by wastewater produced by oil and gas drilling injected back into the ground.
A new study reveals that faults like the San Andreas Fault can experience prolonged 'afterslip' for six to twelve years after an earthquake, unlike a similar quake in Napa, California, which showed less afterslip. This variation makes it harder to predict post-earthquake damage and infrastructure repair needs.
Researchers have successfully tested the sensitivity of balloon-borne infrasound detectors, detecting explosions up to 250 miles away. The high-altitude balloons were found to be effective at eliminating wind noise and amplifying infrasound signals.
Researchers estimate a 43% probability of at least one magnitude 6.75 or greater earthquake in the Wasatch Front region by 2070. The study, published in 2016, predicts that 22 large earthquakes have ruptured parts of the fault zone between Nephi and Brigham City over the past 6000 years.
Researchers study Oklahoma's earthquakes to understand human-induced seismicity and its link to wastewater injection from oil and gas production. New seismic stations deployed across the state provide better insight into fore-and aftershocks and earthquake sequences.
The Kaikoura earthquake triggered widespread slow slip events, producing simultaneous patches of slip in other areas. Ground faulting was complex, rupturing at nine to 12 faults with multiple orientations, resulting in a combined rupture length of about 180 kilometers.
A new microinsurance plan for California earthquakes aims to provide financial support to residents who fall into a 'payout zone' after an earthquake. The plan, developed by Kate Stillwell, uses data on seismic shaking intensity to create a payout zone defined by census blocks and shaking intensities.
Researchers are developing methods to predict and mitigate fracking-induced earthquakes in Canada and the US. Experts are working to identify factors that affect the likelihood of damaging ground motion from these earthquakes.
Researchers study public knowledge about earthquake risk and building code preferences to develop effective communication strategies. The findings highlight the importance of using plain language, discussing likely outcomes, and limiting misinformation to effectively convey earthquake risk.
Researchers use seismic data acquisition and multi-attribute processing to locate hazardous underground voids left behind by coal mining in Wyoming. The integrated techniques help identify size, orientation, and shape of mining voids, ensuring rapid remediation efforts.
Scientists have deployed hundreds of seismometers around the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park to gain a clearer picture of how it erupts. The seismic data offer insights into the active hydrothermal system below the geyser, which could help monitor less predictable geysers.
Researchers found signs of fault displacement at well-known rock outcrops in Colorado marking the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact. The study suggests massive seismic waves could have generated earthquakes as far away as Colorado.
A recent earthquake swarm in Bombay Beach, California, has demonstrated the difficulties in predicting the duration and impact of such swarms. The event, which consisted of approximately 100 small earthquakes between magnitude 2 and 4.3, highlights the challenges in modeling swarms and communicating their risk to the public.
The study successfully detected three magnitude 5 earthquakes since December 2016 without false alarms. Individual smartphones and 'smart' appliances could be part of a crowd-sourced network for earthquake early warnings in the future.
The 2017 seismic hazard model forecasts lower damaging ground shaking levels in the central and eastern U.S., but Oklahoma and southern Kansas still face a significant risk of induced earthquake damage. For over 3 million people, the chance of damage is similar to natural earthquakes in high-hazard areas of California.
A new study maps and classifies the earthquake shaking potential across most of the Las Vegas metropolitan area, revealing that much of the ground is stiffer and potentially safer than previously thought. The site classifications could lead to reduced construction costs and improved safety measures for buildings.
Researchers used data from the USGS 'Did You Feel It?' website to develop new intensity mapping for two California earthquakes. They found that including non-reporting ZIP codes improved the accuracy of seismic intensity maps, particularly at intermediate distances from the epicenter.
A new analysis published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America suggests that a tiny North Korean seismic event in May 2010 was an earthquake, not a nuclear explosion. The study's findings contradict previous reports that claimed it was a small nuclear test.
A new study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America suggests that a handful of damaging earthquakes in the Los Angeles Basin may have been induced by oil production activities in the early 20th century. The researchers found links between earthquakes and significant oil production activities nearby, but note t...
The collaboration aims to refine national seismic hazard models by sharing expertise and research topics. The focus section discusses different modeling approaches and primary audiences, providing insights into the consequences of similar megathrust earthquakes in each region.
Scientists studying Indiana cave stalagmites may uncover evidence of past earthquakes in the region, according to a new study. The research team found that two stalagmite pairs stopped growing around 100,000 years ago and resumed growth at around 6,000 years ago, overlapping with known magnitude 7.1-7.3 earthquakes.
A study found that geothermal energy production in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field increased the background seismicity rate, but not in other areas. The researchers used advanced models and earthquake data to analyze the connection between geothermal production and seismic activity.
Researchers studied 7th-century A.D. temples in northwest India to reconstruct historic earthquakes, finding evidence of damage from magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 quakes. The study extended rupture zones for two major earthquakes, suggesting the region is prone to powerful earthquakes.
Earthquakes triggered by human activity have been widespread throughout Texas since the 1920s, according to a new review of evidence. Oil and gas operations are the primary cause, but specific techniques have varied over time.
Crowd-sourced information on felt earthquakes is being integrated with data collected by seismometers, providing a more complete picture of an earthquake event. Citizen seismology offers a new window into the aftermath of earthquakes, including infrastructure damage and personal experiences.
Scientists are evolving plans for managing tsunami risk on the US Pacific coastline, using historic data and new technologies like camera-bearing drones. California officials are refining their response playbooks after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, while geologists search for evidence of past tsunamis to better estimate risks.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake in January's Iniskin event shook the Cook Inlet region of Alaska, prompting seismologists to revise their estimates of intermediate-depth earthquakes in the area. The quake's unusual depth of 123 km below the surface resulted in minimal damage, but could affect future hazard risk estimates in southern Alaska.
Researchers use new tools to detect patterns of seismic activity before volcanic eruptions, comparing them to past eruptions to determine when a particular volcano might erupt. The study also examines swarms of small earthquakes that appear to precede many eruptions, aiming to learn more about magma movement.
Researchers examine factors influencing induced earthquake locations and strengths in central US and western Canada. The USGS report estimates 7 million people live in areas affected by induced seismicity.