A seismic network in Nevada is being used to monitor wildfires and provide early intelligence on more than 25 fires during the last fire season. The technology has the potential to remake firefighting by allowing for tactical suppression and scaling resources appropriately, saving time and money.
Researchers use refined techniques to detect and locate airwaves generated by volcanic explosions on seismic networks, providing an automated way to monitor volcanic eruptions. Ground-coupled airwaves can provide unambiguous evidence of eruptive activity and location of vents.
A new report published in Seismological Research Letters suggests a link between hydraulic fracturing and induced earthquakes in Western Canada. Researchers found that thousands of hydraulic fracturing wells are being drilled every year, increasing the likelihood of earthquake activity.
Researchers studying a massive crack in the ground near Menominee, Michigan, have discovered it's likely a rare geological phenomenon known as a 'pop-up' feature. The team used seismic refraction techniques to confirm the formation of the feature, which is believed to be caused by stress in ancient limestone rock.
A Northwestern University class estimated the costs and benefits of securing water heaters against earthquake damage. The study concluded that investing in water heater protection would yield a low return on investment compared to buying lottery tickets with high jackpots.
Seismologists have identified a zone deep in the crust where temperatures hover around 350 degrees Celsius, varying along the San Andreas strike. The zone separates shallow earthquakes from deeper low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs), with a puzzling five-kilometer wide gap between them.
Roger D. Borcherdt receives the 2016 Bruce A. Bolt Medal for his exceptional contributions to seismology and engineering seismology, including pioneering site-response studies and theoretical solutions for wave propagation problems.
Scientists used a Baghdad seismometer to capture data on car bombs and mortar fire during the Iraq war. They identified distinct seismic signatures for different types of military operations in urban terrain, such as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and mortar fire.
Walter J. Arabasz received the Frank Press Public Service Award for his public service in modernizing seismic monitoring in the US. He led the development of Utah's regional seismic network and played a key role in informing state seismic safety policies.
Lin has published 26 papers on using ambient seismic noise to reconstruct internal structures of the Earth and map out structures in the crust and upper mantle with unprecedented accuracy. His method has been used to create detailed images of the Earth's inner core and a vast magma plumbing system below Yellowstone National Park.
Scholz has made significant contributions to seismology, bridging laboratory studies of rock mechanics with fundamental research on crustal-scale deformation. He has developed influential models for earthquake prediction and helped create regional seismic hazard maps.
A recent study has successfully detected dust devils using a seismometer in California, which will help NASA's InSight mission on Mars measure dust devils' impact on the atmosphere. The findings also provide insights into Martian climate and the composition of rocks and dust.
A study published in Seismological Research Letters found that the 2015 Nepal earthquake produced less damage than expected, with researchers attributing this to the Kathmandu valley's ancient lake bed sediments. The shaking was reportedly amplified by these sediments for small and moderate earthquakes, but not as much for larger ones.
Researchers discovered that the amount of gas produced in small underground chemical explosions can affect seismic wave patterns, particularly low-frequency P waves. This finding may improve the use of these explosions to study nuclear detonations and detect gas releases in explosion.
The Cascadia Initiative has deployed seismometers onshore and offshore to monitor the Cascadia subduction zone. The project provides a clearer picture of the region's seismic risk, including undetected small earthquakes and new offshore structures. The initiative also offers insights into tsunami detection and seismic wave readings.
Researchers found that precariously balanced rocks near the San Andreas Fault have survived due to interactions between the faults, which weakened ground shaking. This discovery could change how engineers plan for future earthquakes in the region, considering a broader impact of ruptures along both faults.
Researchers found that the Abu Dabbab earthquakes are caused by an active fault that slides along a rigid block of igneous rock, lubricated by fluids from the Red Sea. This unique setup allows high-frequency sounds of earthquakes to rise through the rock with little weakening of the acoustic signal.
Induced earthquakes, caused by injecting fluids into the earth, are increasingly felt in the US. Research reveals that most of these earthquakes stem from oil and gas wastewater disposal, not hydraulic fracturing. Experts recommend proactive approaches to mitigate seismic risks.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of ancient earthquakes on New Zealand's southern Hikurangi margin, suggesting shorter time intervals between large quakes than previously thought. The findings confirm a previously assumed risk and may help better understand earthquake hazards in the region.
The study focuses on improving seismic monitoring data transmission speed and reducing response time to provide timely warnings for the region. Key findings include increasing station coverage, particularly in urban areas like Portland, Oregon, and strategically placing coastal stations to mitigate megathrust fault earthquakes.
Scientists propose using infrasonic observations to study geological dynamics of Venus, with potential applications in understanding planet's interior and history. Researchers plan to deploy balloons or satellites above Venus' surface to detect barometric pressure changes or airglow, which could reveal seismic activity on the planet.
Research suggests Catalina Island is sinking approximately one foot every thousand years, disappearing in three million years. The island's subsidence may pose a small tsunami risk for Los Angeles if landslides occur along active faults.
The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was measured directly from space 450 kilometers above the planet's surface. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites captured the significant ionospheric signature produced by the quake's infrasonic wave output.
A new report by the Seismological Society of America estimates that 143 million Americans are exposed to potentially damaging ground shaking from earthquakes. The average long-term value of building losses from earthquakes is $4.5 billion per year, with California, Oregon, and Washington accounting for roughly 80% of losses.
Researchers use geological features to predict seismic activity in regions with low historical earthquake records. Experts warn that even seemingly quiet areas can harbor significant quake risks, highlighting the need for increased preparedness and monitoring.
Intruding magma interacting with regional tectonics sparks micro-earthquakes in Chiles and Cerro Negro volcanoes. The largest quake recorded was magnitude 5.6 in October 2014, causing damage to local houses and prompting residents to seek shelter.
A new study suggests that the Garlock fault in southern California experiences 'super-cycle' changes in strain over thousand-year timescales, leading to clustered earthquakes. The findings indicate a potential large-scale coordination of earthquakes along a single fault system.
A recent study on the 2012 Mw 7.8 Haida Gwaii and 2013 Mw 7.5 Craig earthquakes reveals a confirmed subduction zone in the Haida Gwaii area, complicating seismic hazard assessments for British Columbia and Alaska. The research also found that the mainshock altered stress fields in the rupture zone, leading to normal faulting behavior.
Researchers analyzed seabed samples off the coast of Turkey and found six large earthquakes in the area between 136 and 1896 AD. The study assigns past earthquakes to specific segments of the North Anatolian Fault, shedding light on the recurrence rate of earthquakes near Istanbul.
John Anderson's work has contributed to the development of strong-motion earthquake data networks globally, including Mexico, Turkey, Los Angeles, and Eastern U.S. His research on seismic hazard assessment and ground-motion prediction equations has also informed policy for improved seismic safety.
A study analyzing Napa quake damage found that pre-1950 buildings in the sedimentary basin suffered the most severe shaking. The West Napa fault system, a lesser-known fault, triggered extensive damage to residential and commercial buildings.
A recent study found that earthquake activity near injection wells in the Williston Basin is scarce compared to Texas, where similar activities have been linked to increased seismicity. The study's authors attribute this difference to regional variations in geology and injection practices.
Researchers linked hydraulic fracturing to a rare felt earthquake in Poland Township, Ohio, revealing previously unknown faults. The study suggests that a relatively small portion of the operation is responsible for seismic activity.
A study found hydraulic fracturing triggered a series of small earthquakes in Harrison County, Ohio, coinciding with operations at nearby wells. The 10 positive magnitude earthquakes, ranging from 1.7 to 2.2, revealed an east-west trending fault beneath the gas wells.
Four urban sections of the San Andreas Fault system have stored enough energy to produce major earthquakes, according to a new study. Three fault sections – Hayward, Rodgers Creek and Green Valley – are nearing or past their average recurrence interval, indicating they are overdue for a significant quake.
New research provides estimates for probable maximum magnitude events in subduction zones for various time periods, including 250, 500 and 10,000 years. Most subduction zones can generate M 8.5 or greater over a 250-return period; M 8.8 or greater over 500 years; and M 9.0 or greater over 10,000 years.
Seismologists attribute the dramatic rise in earthquakes to deep wastewater injection. The Raton Basin saw a significant increase in seismicity after major fluid injection began in 1999, with 16 magnitude > 3.8 earthquakes recorded between 2001 and 2011.
Experts argue that OEF is essential for reducing earthquake risk by providing authoritative information to policymakers and the public. Key findings include the potential for significant changes in earthquake probabilities over time, influenced by local seismic activity.
Research suggests that consecutive earthquakes occurring seconds apart can amplify ground motion and impact structures, leading to devastating effects. The study used the 2012 Emilia seismic sequence to simulate a scenario of triggered end-to-end earthquakes along adjacent fault patches.
A study published in BSSA found induced earthquakes generate lower shaking intensities, except within 10 km of the epicenter. The damage from injection-induced earthquakes is more concentrated near the event epicenters.
A study by University of California, Berkeley scientists analyzed 62 seismic events prior to a Louisiana sinkhole discovery. The analysis suggests that natural gas influx may destabilize pre-existing zones of weakness in the salt dome.
A new study suggests that the Bay Area may experience a cluster of major earthquakes, releasing as much stress as the Great 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This cluster occurred between 1690 and 1776 on multiple faults, including the Hayward and San Andreas faults.
Scientists can use the seismic signals to better understand glacier behavior and track changes in real-time. The Alaska Earthquake Center has recorded over 2,800 glacial events, which could provide new insights into glacier dynamics and potential advances in field studies.
Research suggests that wastewater disposal can induce earthquakes tens of kilometers away from the wellbore, complicating seismic hazard assessments and maps. The study's findings have significant implications for critical structures such as dams and nuclear power plants.
A new study suggests that the maximum earthquake magnitude scales with the maturity of a fault, putting limits on seismic hazard for less mature parts of fault zones. The study found that older sections of transform faults produce the largest earthquakes, such as the North Anatolian Fault Zone and the San Andreas Fault.
A massive earthquake triggered a global 'stress shadow' where nearly all potential faults remained inactive for 95 days. This rare phenomenon suggests that large quakes can temporarily relieve stress on nearby faults.
A new study by Italian researchers suggests that a person's activity at the time of a quake influences their perception of shaking more than their location. People in motion had the worst perception, while those who were asleep on higher floors reported stronger shaking.
Rapid urbanization exposes French cities to significant seismic risk, with old structures posing a major vulnerability. The study found that if the 1909 Lambesc earthquake were to occur today, the region would suffer serious consequences, including damage to over 15,000 buildings.
New research reveals that Vancouver's Georgia basin amplifies seismic waves, increasing ground motion in the area. This finding poses a significant risk to tall buildings and long-period structures, such as bridges and pipelines, which may experience greater shaking than previously thought.
Lekic's work has improved the understanding of Earth's large-scale inner structure, revealing key features such as a low-velocity layer internal to continental plates. His research also explores neutrino geoscience and seismic attenuation, providing new insights into plate tectonics and continental evolution