Kerry Sieh's pioneering work transformed the study of earthquakes, revealing frequent but irregular recurrence. His research led to the development of paleoseismology and improved seismic hazard assessment.
Researchers found that the southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone is complex and still only moderately understood. The study suggests a possible link between the 2013 Lushan earthquake and the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, with a 62% probability that Lushan is a strong aftershock of Wenchuan.
A new study found that earthquake lights are more likely to occur on or near rift environments and adjacent to subvertical faults. The study analyzed 65 documented cases of earthquake lights, finding that 85% appeared spatially on or near rifts and 97% appeared adjacent to subvertical faults.
A new study suggests upgrading technology and relocating seismic stations in California can improve the warning time, particularly in areas poorly served by the existing network. In Taiwan, a low-cost sensor experiment has created a high-density network that can issue early warnings within 20 seconds of an earthquake detection.
Google Street View scans help identify damage caused by the 2009 L'Aquila quake, distinguishing it from building maintenance issues. Researchers suggest using this tool for future earthquake surveys.
A new study suggests Seattle is prone to significant landslides from earthquakes, potentially affecting hundreds of buildings and transit routes. The study's refined framework simulates ground motion and geological features to better understand the extent of potential damage.
A tiny MEMS accelerometer chip used in smartphones can detect moderate to strong earthquakes when located near the epicenter. The technology has the potential to increase coverage and accuracy in monitoring strong motion during earthquakes, making it possible to create an urban seismic network that transmits real-time ground motion data.
An Iranian telegraph operator named Yusef proposed an earthquake early warning system in 1909, suggesting a local warning system to save lives. He noticed anomalies in the magnetic needle and used it to urge fellow dwellers to evacuate during a six-second warning period.
Researchers used high-resolution imaging technology to locate the 1906 fault trace, resolving decades of confusion caused by human error. The primary rupture occurred along a single western trace of the San Andreas Fault, with no step-over within the town.
Researchers identified the 'Caldas tear,' a break in a slab separating two subducting plates, which accounts for seismic activity patterns and high-grade mineral deposits. The tear is thought to be caused by the Panama plate's collision with Colombia, resulting in an accumulation of stresses that could trigger strong motion events.
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.
Researchers are exploring new methods for detecting transient seismic activity, such as slow slip earthquakes, using GPS network data. The study aims to improve the accuracy of forecasting likely seismic activity by accurately detecting and assessing these low-frequency signals.
A global murmur, then unusual silence: A recent study found that following a major Indian Ocean earthquake, global seismic rates increased for days but subsequently dropped to zero for over 95 days. Researchers attribute this quiet period to the event causing short-term dynamic stressing of a global faulting system.
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.
Researchers are working to extend earthquake risk estimates globally, studying hundreds of M≥7 mainshock events in 21 regions. Initial results show that remote triggering has occurred at least once in half of the regions studied during the past 30 years.
Researchers have revised the history of large earthquakes in the area, showing that the Salt Lake City segment has been more active than previously thought. The study contributes to forecasting probabilities for future earthquakes in the Wasatch Front region.
Randall White, a renowned volcano seismologist, has been recognized by the Seismological Society of America (SSA) for his dedication to public service and seismic forecasting. He has saved countless lives through his work in predicting volcanic eruptions, sharing his techniques with international partners.
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.
Katsuichiro Goda, a renowned civil engineer, has been awarded the Charles Richter Early Career Award for his groundbreaking work in seismic risk assessment and mitigation. His research has developed new ground-motion equations and spatial correlations models to estimate seismic losses, enabling practical solutions in risk mitigation.
A Roman mausoleum in Turkey's Pinara has been found to have been damaged by an earthquake, with researchers concluding that a magnitude 6.3 quake could have caused the damage. The study used laser scans and 3D computer modeling to analyze the structure's stability.
Researchers tested the hypothesis that intraplate earthquakes could produce stronger ground shaking than those at plate boundaries. The study found no significant extension of the 1872 Owens Valley earthquake rupture, contradicting previous estimates. Instead, the data suggest that soil liquefaction occurred in nearby wetlands and mead...
A new map created by Japanese researchers helps identify high-rise buildings in the Osaka Basin vulnerable to long-period strong ground motions that last minutes. The map provides useful information for engineers to design earthquake-resistant buildings.
Researchers studied two hoodoos in Red Rock Canyon to estimate the force necessary to break sandstone shafts, shedding light on ground motion during recent earthquakes. The study suggests median or low-level ground motion despite large quakes in the area, providing valuable constraints for probabilistic seismic hazard assessments.
A recent study reveals Ottawa's unique geology amplifies seismic waves, exceeding expected National Building Code of Canada values. The area has experienced moderate shaking from earthquakes, but some areas have higher ground motion than others during larger events.
A new study by Emanuela Guidoboni and colleagues reveals the historical record on ancient and medieval earthquakes in L'Aquila has gaps that must be addressed to assess seismic hazard. The region experienced multiple strong earthquakes, with a tendency to produce simultaneous events varying in impact.
Researchers used ambient seismic noise to search for a pre-seismic signal before the 2004 Parkfield earthquake, but were unable to detect any changes. The study placed an upper limit on how large such a signal might be, depending on its duration and location.
A new study by USGS researchers Tom Parsons and Eric Geist analyzed the timing of world's largest earthquakes over 100 years, finding intervals between quakes similar to those expected from a random process. This suggests that global great earthquakes are occurring at random, rather than triggering each other.
Recent paleoseismic work reveals an average recurrence rate of 125 years for the San Andreas Fault in the Santa Cruz Mountains, indicating a higher seismic hazard than previously thought. The study also sheds light on how individual segments of the fault system can produce destructive earthquakes.
New research from Aachen University suggests the Possidi peninsula in northern Greece is at risk of significant tsunami waves due to its proximity to earthquake-prone areas. The study also highlights the need for updated tsunami hazard calculations, particularly in densely populated and tourist regions.
Scientists present latest seismological research on earthquake hazards in San Diego, focusing on the Rose Canyon fault system and offshore faults. The study aims to improve understanding of seismic hazard and define a level of hazard for future large earthquakes.
David Shelly has made a dramatic impact on the field of seismology through his pioneering work detecting and locating deep tectonic tremor. He is recognized for his outstanding contributions to seismology, challenging prevailing theories and providing new insights into earthquake behavior.
Purdue University professor Eric Calais recognized for his exceptional leadership in Haiti's earthquake reconstruction, providing critical information for seismic hazard assessment. He also raised awareness among the public and national authorities, building scientific capacity within Haiti.
Andy Michael, a USGS geophysicist, has been recognized for his transformative work on the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (BSSA), the premier seismology journal. His innovative refinements and modernization efforts have significantly impacted international scientific communication.
Barbara Romanowicz, a renowned seismologist and UC Berkeley professor, has made groundbreaking contributions to global seismology. Her research has been instrumental in advancing body-wave studies of the inner core and normal-mode studies of the Earth's density distribution.
Researchers have mapped past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand associated with the San Jacinto Fault system. LiDAR technology was used to analyze terrain and identify three large seismic events at evenly spaced intervals.
A new study evaluates seismic hazards for six capital cities in Central America, with Guatemala City and San Salvador at highest risk. The study provides a regional seismic catalog and strong motion database updated to December 2010, supporting national seismic code revisions.
Researchers explore scaling relationships of slow slip events and compare them to similar laws for earthquakes, highlighting the need for further study to understand fault mechanics. A newly defined propeller-like geometry of southern San Andreas Fault may require re-thinking ground motion assessments.
Scientists have developed procedures to determine earthquake source information for smaller earthquakes in central and eastern North America. This improved catalog provides detailed information on faulting styles and geometry for these regions, contributing to assessing seismic hazards and constraining ground motion.
The Christchurch earthquake ruptured a previously unmapped fault, causing widespread liquefaction-induced damage. Eight papers focus on structural and geotechnical damages associated with strong ground motion shaking.
Researchers have developed a new model to evaluate seismic wave velocities at shallow depth in the Seattle Basin, offering refined seismic hazard assessments. The study also exposes two faults in the eastern Sierra Nevada, providing new details about active faulting in the area.
Scientists at University of Nevada, Reno observed an upper limit of three on the number of fault jumps through which an earthquake is likely to rupture. This finding helps reduce uncertainties in estimating earthquake sizes in complex fault systems.
Researchers found that a buried mangrove layer in the Caribbean dampens seismic waves, reducing liquefaction risk. A new active fault was also identified near Lake Tahoe using LiDAR technology, potentially threatening the area with a magnitude 6.4-6.9 earthquake.
Kojiro Irikura will be honored with the Bruce A. Bolt Medal at the Seismological Society of America's annual meeting for his leadership in strong-motion earthquake data analysis in Japan.
Experts gather to discuss the state of knowledge about the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a region prone to large earthquakes with significant economic losses. Researchers also explore computer simulations of earthquake ground motion in the zone, aiming to understand and anticipate future events.
Tanya Rautian is a pioneer in seismology, recognized for her work on earthquake source, seismic coda, and nuclear explosions. She will be honored with the Seismological Society of America's Reid Medal for her contributions to science and society.
Peng, a 35-year-old Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech, will be honored with the Seismological Society of America's (SSA) Charles F. Richter Early Career Award for his work on physics of earthquakes and faults. Peng has made significant contributions to understanding earthquake triggering, non-volcanic tremor, and fault zone structure...
Hugo Yepes, a renowned Ecuadorian seismologist, will be honored by the Seismological Society of America for his groundbreaking work on earthquake and volcanic mitigation. His research has improved hazard assessment and risk reduction efforts in Ecuador and South America.
A new seismology tip sheet provides critical information on building in hazardous areas near strike-slip faults, as well as tools for predicting quake shaking in Southern California. Researchers also investigated the impact of wind farms on seismic data collection, finding that nearby turbines can cause 'seismic noise'.
Researchers detected a sequence of small earthquakes in Dallas-Fort Worth triggered by brine disposal, highlighting induced seismicity concerns. Seismologists also identified large hurricanes using microseisms recorded at distant seismic stations.
New data suggests that the Limon and Pedro Miguel faults in Central Panama have ruptured both independently and in unison over the past 1400 years. This indicates a significant seismic risk for Panama City and the Panama Canal, with displacements of up to 3 meters recorded.