Articles tagged with Earthquakes
Seismologists used a network of instruments deployed in Iraq to analyze the seismic patterns of explosions, including mortars, rockets, IEDs, helicopters, and drones. The analysis allowed them to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the 'cook-off' explosion.
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.
A new study by Stanford researchers suggests that earthquakes triggered by human activity follow several indicative patterns that could help scientists distinguish them from naturally occurring temblors. The likelihood of large-magnitude manmade, or "induced," earthquakes increases over time, independent of the previous seismicity rate.
A team of scientists has discovered that strong medieval earthquakes in Nepal triggered massive debris flows that reshaped the landscape over a distance of more than 60 kilometers. The study used 14C radiocarbon dating to determine the timing of sediment deposits and found that they coincide with documented large earthquakes in the reg...
A new algorithm called Fingerprint And Similarity Thresholding (FAST) can identify previously overlooked microquakes in large databases of ground motion measurements, potentially helping predict larger quakes. By comparing seismic wave patterns, FAST finds weakly recorded earthquakes faster than conventional methods.
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.
Bishal Upreti's research has practical implications in earthquake landslide hazard assessment, mineral exploration, and water resource development. His work maps active faults to evaluate seismic hazard in the Nepal Himalayan region.
Researchers found that areas with previous strong earthquakes were more likely to produce landslides after a second earthquake hit. The study's findings could lead to improved predictive models considering historical occurrences of past earthquakes.
Researchers found stratigraphic evidence of subsidence during large earthquakes beneath salt marshes in California's Humboldt Bay. Microfossil data analysis enabled more accurate estimates of subsidence, refining earthquake models that match observed measurements. New plant macrofossils provide tighter constraints on past earthquake ti...
Researchers found that triggered earthquakes change the elastic properties of the Earth's crust in regions up to 6,000 kilometers away. This dynamic and interconnected system can create a cascading sequence of events thousands of kilometers away.
A UT Arlington researcher is developing a comprehensive framework to analyze North Texas dams and detect damage from seismic activity. The framework will use geo-statistics and three key indicators of damage caused by earthquakes, including liquefaction, dynamic slope stability, and lateral spreading.
A University of Washington simulation demonstrates the individual crystals' movement in a magma chamber, providing insights into the motion of magma and buildup of pressure. The study helps volcanologists improve their understanding of volcanic systems and predict eruptions more accurately.
A team of geologists from GEOMAR and Spanish institutions presented an explanation for the smaller-than-expected 2014 Iquique earthquake. Seamounts in the region, which subduct under the South American plate, actively deformed the interface and reduced stress buildup, resulting in a smaller earthquake.
Researchers used a gel-like substance called Carbopol to study the resistance of rock formations in the middle crust to fracturing. The study provides insight into how large earthquakes and slower moving events interact, with potential implications for predicting seismic activity.
Lehigh University has received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to improve infrastructure resilience and sustainability. The award supports research using Lehigh's ATLSS facilities, which will conduct real-time structural experiments to evaluate engineering designs and materials during natural disasters.
Researchers developed a model to simulate Mediterranean tsunami impact, showing how waves would hit and flood coastal areas in southern Italy and Greece. The study highlights the need for local authorities to identify vulnerable areas and plan defense strategies.
Researchers have identified a key factor driving intraplate seismicity: convective currents of semi-liquid rock beneath the Earth's crust. This process interacts with surface motion, influencing earthquake locations and frequency. The study's findings offer new insights into seismic hazard mapping in plate interiors.
Large earthquakes cause catastrophic landslides that can persist up to 20-fold after the earthquake, then gradually decrease over time. The magnitude of this response is linked to the size of the earthquake, with shaking-induced damage near Earth's surface and active healing processes playing a key role.
After strong earthquakes, landslides decrease due to an internal healing process of the landscape, returning to pre-earthquake levels in months to years. The destabilization caused by the quake gradually recovers as cracks close and are filled with sand and earth.
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 a unique insight into megathrust earthquakes through GPS data and radar measurements. The study revealed a pulse-like rupture that occurred over six seconds, with an extremely fast rupture velocity of approximately 3.2km/s.
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 interaction between the San Jacinto and San Andreas faults weakened earthquake ground shaking near them, preserving precariously balanced boulders. This discovery has practical implications for earthquake planning scenarios in the region.
Researchers investigate granitic rocks in El Capitan using field mapping, rock climbing, and geochemical analyses. They found no systematic patterns in rock composition, challenging models of granite formation that rely on magma chambers.
Researchers found evidence of six large earthquakes in western Solomon Islands over the past 3,000 years, including five that were as large or larger than a devastating 2007 earthquake. The study used corals to analyze seismic events and provide insight into the relationship between earthquakes and long-term geological processes.
Researchers monitored Helheim Glacier for 55 days and detected 10 large-scale calving events, revealing unique quakes registering magnitude five on the Richter Scale. These glacial earthquakes can serve as proxies for glacier edge breaking, offering insights into ice loss from glaciers.
Researchers have discovered a new insight into glacier behavior, revealing the rapid movement of glaciers backward and downward during calving events. This phenomenon helps scientists measure glacier calving remotely and improve sea-level rise predictions.
Researchers studied earthquake history in the eastern Indian Ocean, tracing modes of coastal sedimentation over time. They discovered seven subduction zone earthquakes recorded 3,800 to 7,500 years ago, indicating past tsunamis occurred approximately four to six times.
A study by CU-Boulder and USGS found a strong correlation between high-rate injection wells and earthquakes, especially since 2009. High-rate wells pumping over 300,000 barrels of wastewater per month were most likely to trigger earthquakes.
Scientists found that Oklahoma's rising number of earthquakes coincided with increased disposal of salty wastewater into the Arbuckle formation. The primary source of quake-triggering wastewater is brackish water generated from oil and gas extraction, not hydraulic fracturing flowback water.
Two new studies shed light on the Himalayan tectonic system, confirming a strike-slip dominated fault in western Nepal and highlighting topographic and tectonic discontinuities. The findings also support the initiation of mountain belt-parallel extension in the mid-Miocene epoch.
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.
Researchers discovered that injecting water into an inactive fault can cause aseismic slip, which may lead to micro-earthquakes. This study offers insights into the role of friction in fluid-filled faults and could guide monitoring at injection sites.
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.
A team of international volunteers is mapping landslide locations in earthquake-affected Nepal to identify additional hazards. Using satellite data from various sources, they have mapped nearly 1,000 landslides, providing critical information for evacuation and relief efforts.
Researchers assess building collapse risk due to ground-shaking aftershock tremors after main earthquakes, considering factors like site-to-source distance and aftershock magnitude. The study introduces a logical method for predicting collapse probability based on these variables, allowing for quantification of risk.
Dr. Hiroo Kanamori received the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal for his pioneering discoveries in understanding large earthquakes and developing scaling relations between earthquake parameters. His work has allowed geoscientists to better predict tsunami-prone communities.
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.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that a universal sliding mechanism operates for earthquakes of all depths. The research, led by UC Riverside geologists, suggests that both shallow and deep earthquakes share the same physics once started.
Scientists used seismic data from 227 East Asia earthquakes to image depths up to 900 kilometers, revealing hidden structures like a high velocity colossus beneath the Tibetan plateau and a deep mantle upwelling in Mongolia. The study could help find hidden hydrocarbon resources and explore the Earth's interior.
Research at ETH Zurich reveals that wider seismogenic zones increase the probability of a supercycle occurring, characterized by several large earthquakes and eventually a giant earthquake. The study proposes a new explanation for the gradual rupture phenomenon, suggesting that physical stresses build up rapidly at the edges of the zone.
A University of Washington seismologist studied tidal forces on the Cascadia fault and found friction is much lower than previously thought, similar to Teflon. This discovery could improve understanding of when and how faults break, potentially leading to better modeling and prediction of slow-slip quakes and earthquakes.
Aid workers should consider long-term archaeological information about local building practices when providing shelter after natural disasters. Archaeological research reveals that communities in the Caribbean have been rebuilding homes for centuries using effective and culturally relevant designs.
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.
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.
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 SMU-led seismology team reveals that high volumes of wastewater injection combined with saltwater extraction from natural gas wells is the most likely cause of earthquakes occurring near Azle, Texas. The study used a sophisticated 3D model to assess fluid pressure changes in the affected area.
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.
Economists from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found a significant correlation between natural gas extraction and house price decreases in the northern Netherlands. Earthquakes induced by gas extraction result in house price drops of approximately USD 2750, affecting the region's housing market.
A new study found that many residents in southern Spain do not take steps to prepare themselves against future disasters due to lack of information and financial resources. However, when the government is involved in awareness campaigns and housing subsidies, participants finally take steps toward disaster preparedness.
Scientists have made new discoveries about fault development, which could lead to more accurate predictions of earthquake hazards. By analyzing fault geometry, researchers found that the efficiency of faults increases as new ones grow and link, but never reaches the same level as straight faults.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism for generating glass spherules through the combination of lightning and volcanic ash. The study, published in Geology, reveals that high heat generated by lightning discharge can transform volcanic ash particles into spheres of glass, forming fulgurites in geologic deposits.
Researchers have discovered a distinct inner-inner core with different iron crystal alignment and behavior compared to the outer layer. This finding could reveal information about the planet's formation and evolution
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a material that can sense and manipulate sound and elastic waves. This technology could lead to advancements in imaging, military enhancements such as elastic cloaking, and super-resolution sensors.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and found that sediment in affected river catchments remained for decades, longest where landsliding was highest. They also discovered low friction in the fault zone, contradicting previous observations.
A team led by UW-Madison is investigating the Laguna del Maule volcanic field in Chile's Andes, where a mega-eruption could be as large as Mount St. Helens. The team aims to document the volcano's behavior before an eruption using geology, geochemistry, and seismology techniques.
A University of South Florida-led team has discovered that subtle shifts in the earth's offshore plates can predict the size of future disasters. The researchers used high precision GPS to measure slight shifts on a fault line in Costa Rica, finding that slow slip events can release stress and strain before major earthquakes and tsunamis.
The Lake Van drilling project provides a unique 600,000-year archive of climate fluctuations and natural hazards, including six cycles of warm and cold periods. The analysis reveals the region's high risk for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Research finds that the Darrington-Devils Mountain fault zone is prone to strong earthquakes, with evidence of a M 6.7 to 7.0 quake 2,000 years ago and another at 8,000 years old. This suggests a right-lateral slip sense during past earthquakes, which may be related to ongoing clockwise rotation in the region.