Articles tagged with Earthquakes
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.
A groundbreaking study by University of Miami researcher Shimon Wdowinski reveals a strong temporal relationship between tropical cyclones and large earthquakes. The study found that very wet tropical cyclone events can induce landslides and severe erosion, releasing stress loads and encouraging movement along faults.
Researchers will subject concrete footings and steel columns to simulated earthquake stresses to understand their behavior. The study aims to make skyscrapers safer and less expensive to build by optimizing foundation design.
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.
Researchers found that rock water acts as a lubricant, causing significant differences in mechanical properties along the fault at depth. This supports the idea that fluids play a key role in the onset of earthquakes, and tremor signals are linked to areas with trapped fluids.
Earthquakes result in massive death tolls due to trauma, crush injuries, and disruptions to medical services. Many victims succumb to complications, sepsis, or organ failure, while others experience mental health problems like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Researchers found that fault surfaces in earthquake zones come into contact only at microscopic points between scattered bumps called asperities. This creates intense heating, known as flash heating, which can reach temperatures of up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Geologists Jay Quade and his team discovered rubbing boulders in the Atacama Desert that have been smoothed by seismic activity over millions of years. The phenomenon, which resembles a crowded train station, answers long-standing questions about erosion and landscape evolution.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new computer program that enables highway construction engineers to analyze soil movements caused by active landslides and erosion in real-time. This technology uses LIDAR to better assess and deal with these issues, ultimately improving construction quality and safety.
Researchers tracked changes in ionosphere during a solar eclipse, finding acoustic waves with periods of 3-5 minutes originating from the Moon's shadow. Groundwater depletion has also contributed to sea level rise, with 1,100 cubic km pumped out between 2000 and 2008.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has published a special issue on the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station disaster, featuring articles on the current and future impact of the accident. Experts discuss lessons learned, future responsibilities, and steps to prevent another nuclear tragedy.
Debris flow hazard assessment and dune migration in Antarctica are among the highlights from the September issue of GEOLOGY. Additionally, a new study has confirmed the existence of the Luizi impact structure in Central Africa, while another research reveals a determination of fungal disease's role in Permian woodland deterioration.
A team at Georgia Tech developed an operations research model that helped CARE International pick three locations worldwide to supply relief quickly to victims of earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. The model considered capacity constraints and recommended a gradual roll-out plan, enabling CARE to reduce response time, pr...
Researchers analyzed U-Pb-Hf characterization of the central Coast Mountains batholith, finding spatial and temporal trends in petrogenesis. They also discovered no correlation between Anderson Reservoir stage level and underlying Calaveras fault seismicity, despite calculated differential stress increases.
Researchers found evidence of coincident timing between ancient Salton Sea flooding and fault rupture, potentially triggering large earthquakes on the southern San Andreas Fault. The study suggests heightened preparedness for a major quake immediately following smaller quakes in the stepover zone is warranted.
Researchers found that episodic tremors can reverse direction and travel back through fault lines much faster than the original rupture. The event was observed in the Pacific Northwest region, particularly in Washington state, and released as much energy as a magnitude 6.8 earthquake.
Dr. Elizabeth Hausler receives award for sustainable reconstruction in developing countries, improving lives of millions through culturally accepted and economically viable buildings.
Scientists have discovered new records of shelled amoebas living with methane seeps and ancient trilobites. Additionally, researchers have found evidence of micrometeorites in 240 million-year-old sediments and a deep biosphere community in the Atlantic Ocean.
Researchers at Caltech propose that an entirely different mechanism is at play in Tibet, with a strong lower crust originating from India. This new understanding of the processes shaping the Himalaya Mountains and Tibet improves our knowledge of tectonic activity and earthquakes in the region.
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.
The EarthScope Transportable Array has reached a major milestone by installing its first station east of the Mississippi River in northwest Mississippi. This new station will continuously record ground motion from local, regional and global earthquakes for the next two years.
Researchers used fossil coral reefs and sediment slides to detect historic earthquake patterns, creating an underwater map of the Red Sea floor. This method can be applied anywhere, including Japan and the west coast of the U.S., helping city engineers pinpoint high-risk locations ahead of potential earthquakes.
Scientists have found that quartz plays a crucial role in initiating the viscous cycle of plate tectonics, which drives the formation of mountains and earthquakes. The research uses seismic data to measure the effects of temperature, water, and quartz on rock flow properties.
A new tool, developed by Prof. Shmuel Marco, can analyze wave patterns in sediment to understand past earthquake intensity. The 'fossil seismograph' helps geophysicists predict future earthquakes in areas with bodies of water.
Researchers at University of British Columbia develop a model explaining long-lived volcanic earthquakes before and during eruptions. The 'oscillating plug' of magma causes tremors, which can be used to predict explosive eruptions.
McGill researchers develop a cheap, portable paper-based filter to produce clean drinking water in emergency situations. The filter, coated with silver nanoparticles, is able to kill nearly all bacteria and produce water that meets EPA standards.
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.
A new study dating back 1,000 years of earthquakes at the San Andreas Fault shows no correlation between lake changes and earthquake timing. Despite this, researchers warn of a likely buildup of tectonic stress, making a major quake possible for southern California in the near future.
The article discusses recent movements and past deformation in Central America, California, Turkey, and Canada. Key findings include the present rates and directions of movement between El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as the role of low-angle normal faulting in active tectonics in the northern Owens Valley.
Scientists have identified a cluster of deep low-frequency earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault, influenced by a Chilean earthquake. Additionally, satellite imagery reveals evidence of buried water ice near the Martian equator, contradicting previous research that Mars' current climate is inhospitable to equatorial water ice.
Researchers create four new systems: hybrid yielding, standard augmented, advanced augmented, and collapse prevention, to control damage and provide life-safety for any size of earthquake. These systems use visco-elastic dampers and metallic yielding devices to minimize residual deformations.
Researchers have created a more accurate seismic model to detect nuclear explosions and differentiate them from natural events. The model spans the complex tectonic region of Turkey to India, and will improve location and characterization of seismic events while reducing errors.
Researchers are using an array of seismic sensors to study unfelt seismic tremor events, revealing a more complex relationship with potentially devastating earthquakes. By analyzing the movement of these tremors, scientists are gaining insights into the Cascadia subduction zone and its potential for massive quakes.
A Stanford University geophysicist warns that injecting massive amounts of carbon dioxide underground could trigger small- to moderate-sized earthquakes, posing a threat to the reservoirs containing the gas. The issue is particularly concerning for saline aquifers with dense, well-cemented sedimentary rock.
Researchers will study whether changes in tremor activity precede earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault. The Berkeley Seismological Laboratory is installing earthquake detectors to monitor mysterious 20-40 km deep tremors that may signal an impending quake.
Researchers at Hebrew University have discovered that basic assumptions about friction are wrong, providing a new means for replicating how earth ruptures develop and possibly enabling prediction of severe earthquakes. The findings offer unprecedented predictive power, estimating both rupture mode and extent of future earthquakes.
The National Science Foundation has recognized three projects with Breakthrough Awards: an artificial retina restoring sight to the blind; a system using controlled rocking to help buildings withstand earthquakes; and a low-cost medical microscope for detecting malaria-infected blood cells.
A team of geophysicists led by Harry Green at UC Riverside presents evidence contradicting the widely-held view that large amounts of water are carried to the deep mantle in subducting slabs. The study suggests that these slabs are essentially dry, with no pathway for significant amounts of water to enter the lower mantle.
Research reveals a causal relationship between rainfall and earthquakes, with variations in rainfall affecting pore-fluid pressure at depth and triggering earthquakes. Ground motion patterns in the Santa Clara Valley are also studied, revealing complex geological structures that influence seismic wave propagation and amplification.
Scientists have mapped the unexplored offshore Northern San Andreas Fault, revealing deep rifts and high walls with areas supporting animal life. The study aims to understand past earthquakes and their impact on biological diversity.
A Princeton University-led team has developed a system to produce realistic movie simulations of earthquakes based on complex computer models. The movies will be made available worldwide within hours of an earthquake, providing researchers with enhanced understanding and tools to improve maps of the Earth's interior.
Scientists have used a new seismic method to investigate the collision process between India and Tibet, revealing a more pronounced boundary between rigid lithosphere and softer asthenosphere. The study provides insights into the processes involved in the collision and aims to reduce earthquake risk in the region.
A recent study by UC Irvine researchers reveals that large ruptures have occurred on the Carrizo Plain portion of the San Andreas fault every 45 to 144 years. The findings contradict previous reports and suggest a more complex earthquake recurrence pattern along the 810-mile fault.
Researchers have developed a web portal that allows seismologists to study noise for analyzing the Earth's structure, leading to better understanding of earthquakes. The system enables smaller groups to perform complex analysis previously limited to large organizations.
Scientists discovered a rare 'triggered doublet' event where two great earthquakes occurred seconds apart on different faults. The initial earthquake triggered another massive event with a total magnitude of 8.0, causing devastating tsunamis that killed 192 people.
This article explores various geological phenomena, including the origin of rhyolites from South Mountain, Pennsylvania, growth faults in the Kaiparowits Basin, Utah, and extension of the Anaconda metamorphic core complex. The studies provide new information on volcanic magmas, tectonic deformation, and Earth's crust behavior.
A new theory developed at Purdue University suggests that stored stress built up in the Earth's crust long ago can trigger large earthquakes. Rapid erosion from the Mississippi River ended a period of forces keeping the New Madrid fault from slipping, triggering the massive earthquakes.
The September-October issue of GSA Bulletin explores various geological topics, including fast erosion during floods and improving the Earth's geological time scale fidelity. A study on the West Mariana Ridge reveals new insights into its geomorphology and processes.
Researchers have discovered that tiny smectitic clay coatings on the rock surfaces of the San Andreas fault reduce friction and facilitate creeping motion. This coating, less than 100 nanometers thick, acts as a lubricant, allowing the fault to move slowly and steadily over time.
Researchers have identified zones in the Iberian Peninsula with potential for moderate earthquakes, including parts of the Cordillera Cantábrica and Pyrenees regions. The study uses morphostructural zoning method to analyze topographic, geological, and geophysical data.
Researchers have discovered synchronized faults in California's Mojave Desert and Nevada's mountains, which can lead to simultaneous big quakes. This phenomenon occurs when faults are near their breaking points and aligned in their seismic cycles, changing the way we assess earthquake hazards.
New analysis by Oregon State University scientists suggests a high probability of a magnitude 8.2 or higher earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, with 37% chance in southern segment and 10-15% in northern segment within 50 years. This risk is exacerbated by clusters of major earthquakes occurring every 250 years.
A team of scientists discovered that seismic slip on the Central Peru Megathrust is caused by a combination of earthquakes and non-seismic creep. This finding indicates that movement along this subduction zone is more complex than previously thought.
New research suggests that radio frequency identification (RFID) could be used to provide critical information on casualties and losses in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake. RFID readers installed at entry and exit points and around critical areas in a building could help rescue personnel locate trapped individuals more precisely.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have made a groundbreaking discovery about the Earth's core by analyzing seismic wave speed. The study reveals that the outer core is well mixed and lacks stratification, providing new insights into the planet's magnetic field and formation.
Researchers investigate seismic activity in the Midwest US, shedding light on causes of intraplate earthquakes. The study reveals insights into stress within fault zones and the impact of glacial rebound on earthquake frequency. Key findings also highlight correlations between mantle density structures and topographic uplift.
Researchers investigate the seismic potential of the Cascadia subduction zone, exploring temporal clustering of earthquakes and the likelihood of a next event by 2060. They also examine slow slip phenomena and landslides, shedding light on precursory patterns that may save lives.
Researchers are working together to understand intraplate earthquakes in an effort to minimize the loss of life and property. By deploying seismic recorders and analyzing data from two large experiments, the team aims to advance knowledge of earthquake causes and hazards.
Hebrew University researchers describe how frictional strength evolves over time, with a focus on microscopic 'bumps' that govern contact between sliding bodies. The study provides a comprehensive picture of friction's behavior, shedding light on its applications in fields like hard drives and earthquakes.