Articles tagged with Earthquakes
Scientists at Carnegie Institution found a way to monitor fault strength deep in the Earth using highly sensitive seismometers. This method detects subtle changes in earthquake waves indicating weakening of the fault and corresponding periods of increased small earthquakes.
New study locates source of L'Aquila earthquake, finding it increases seismic hazard in region. Researchers also find waning sea ice bodes stormier, rainier Arctic with increased precipitation. Additionally, scientists develop new method to measure snow depth using GPS technology.
Scientists have developed a new method to monitor underground movements using earthquake data, allowing for comprehensive mapping of the Earth's seismic activity. This breakthrough increases the number of locations that can detect seismic activity and enables monitoring from far deeper within the Earth.
A new earthquake-resistant structural system has been successfully tested in Japan, demonstrating its ability to make buildings far more damage resistant and easier to repair. The system dissipates energy through steel frames that rock off their foundation under large earthquakes, confining damage to replaceable parts.
New research from the University of Arizona found that slowly moving faults, like the Alto Tiberina in Italy, can help prevent large earthquakes. The study used geodesy to measure rock movements and revealed that the fault is actively slipping at a rate of approximately one-tenth of an inch per year.
Scientists have uncovered new evidence on the origin and evolution of seismogenic faults in the Nankai Trough, a region prone to massive earthquakes. The research, conducted during the NanTroSEIZE expedition, reveals that fault activity varies through time, with periods of high and low activity recorded.
Using ambient noise correlation, University of Illinois researchers Xiaodong Song and Zhen J. Xu observed significant changes in the behavior of parts of Earth's crust affected by three major earthquakes. The technique allowed them to detect tiny changes in seismic velocity over large areas.
A new study found no daily or weekly pattern to earthquakes in Western U.S. due to human activity. Seismic stations struggle to detect M>1 earthquakes, making it appear like more occur on Sundays and late at night. Researchers explored speleothem records in caves for accurate quake documentation.
Researchers used magnetotelluric sounding to detect large amounts of water in New Zealand's crust, revealing three processes that help deform the crust above it. The study found water is released at varying depths, contributing to earthquake generation and faulting in the region.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed a 'cloak' that can control surface waves, reducing damage from earthquakes. The technology involves concentric rings of plastic that deflect waves away from protected areas, offering potential protection for densely populated regions.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found that increased tremors along the San Andreas Fault near Parkfield, Calif., may indicate a build-up of stress and an increased likelihood of a major quake. The tremors have continued to this day at a rate significantly higher than before two nearby earthquakes in 2003 and 2004.
Scientists have discovered a natural deep earth pump that plays a crucial role in forming ore deposits and earthquakes. The process, called creep cavitation, involves fluid being pumped through pores in deformed rock, contributing to tectonic plate movement and mantle degassing.
Researchers found that typhoons trigger slow earthquakes in eastern Taiwan, with 11 events occurring within a five-year study period. The slow quakes are characterized by non-violent fault slippage events that release energy hours or days after the typhoon passes.
Researchers found a layer on top of subducted plates where S-waves are 30-50% slower than typical oceanic crust, indicating high water saturation levels. This ultra-slow-velocity layer is linked to slow earthquakes and non-volcanic tremors, providing clues about their causes.
Researchers linked pre-historic seismic events on the San Andreas Fault to assess likelihood of future great ruptures. Analysis suggests several events similar to a historical earthquake occurred since A.D. 900 on the southern San Andreas fault.
Miaki Ishii has made two groundbreaking discoveries in geophysics that have fostered intense debate and subsequent research on deep Earth seismology. Her work challenged the long-held theory of a homogenized mantle, revealing lateral variations in mantle density instead.
Researchers have detected slow slip events along a major fault zone beneath the Nicoya Peninsula, shedding light on the full spectrum of motions occurring on the fault. The findings may yield new insights into the events that lead to major earthquakes, but experts caution that more study is needed.
A simple, inexpensive method to strengthen buildings with partial-height walls has been developed, showing that replacing windows with ordinary masonry bricks can improve the structure's strength and stiffness by up to six times. The researchers used a three-story building in their study, which was subjected to forces simulating strong...
Researchers have found a connection between seismic slip and nonvolcanic tremor in the Cascadia subduction zone, potentially increasing stress on the megathrust fault. The findings suggest that slow slip events may lead to increased risk of megathrust earthquakes.
Scientists investigated early warning system accuracy, finding it unlikely to estimate large earthquakes with high precision. Rapid magnitude estimation works better when using multiple seismic stations in close proximity to the fault.
Researchers have discovered an abundance of pseudotachylytes, rocks formed under extreme heat and friction during earthquakes, in the Sierra Nevada. This finding reveals the importance of heat generated by the earthquake process and challenges previous assumptions about their rarity.
Probabilistic maps detail degree of hazard within broader zones, providing perspective on actual risk to users. Liquefaction probability is highest in some areas along major creeks with a water table close to the surface.
The Supe people's advanced stone pyramid temples and maritime farming community were devastated by a series of earthquakes and flooding caused by El Nino events, rendering their fertile fields and bays uninhabitable. The region's collapse serves as a cautionary tale for modern times, highlighting the risks of environmental vulnerability.
Research on submarine displacement rates reveals some of the highest strike-slip rates on Earth, with implications for plate boundary deformation. Volcanic ice-slurry flows are also studied, showing extreme mobility and hazards at snow-capped volcanoes, with insights into their kinematic properties.
Researchers have identified trapped water as the cause of regular tremors under Vancouver Island, explaining episodic tremors every 14 months. The study provides a detailed glimpse into the geological mechanics beneath the island, bringing scientists closer to understanding earthquake cycles.
Researchers used repeating microearthquakes to estimate the deep slip rate of the Lijiang-Ninglang fault, yielding a value of 5 mm/yr at 23 km depth. This discovery provides a new method for inferring slip rates along active faults and sheds light on earthquake recurrence.
A US death map shows that heat/drought and severe summer weather are leading causes of death, with the South and mountain west particularly vulnerable. The study highlights the importance of emergency management in reducing loss of life from natural hazards.
Researchers found that a magnitude 9.2 Indian Ocean earthquake triggered non-volcanic tremor at the Parkfield region of the San Andreas fault, approximately 125 miles away. This low-stress event sheds new light on seismic phenomenon and its potential role in releasing stress within an earthquake-producing fault.
A research team led by Purdue Professor Eric Calais has captured the first recorded event of a 'dyking' process that breaks apart tectonic plates and weaks the Earth's lithosphere. This process, previously only theorized, can lead to the formation of oceans and continents.
Scientists analyzed coral and GPS data to determine the details of the 2007 breaks, finding that only one section had broken, releasing a quarter of the accumulated deficit over two centuries. The study provides valuable insights into the stress accumulation on the Sumatra megathrust.
Researchers use simulated earthquake tests to improve seismic assessment tools and critical retrofit designs for non-ductile reinforced concrete frames with masonry-infilled walls. The project aims to assess the resistance of these structures under realistic seismic load conditions, developing reliable analytical models to evaluate the...
Researchers investigated ancient soils in Big Bend National Park, Texas, and found increased chemical weathering during the initial Eocene thermal maximum. The study suggests that increased humidity and CO2 levels led to hydrolysis reactions, potentially serving as a negative feedback to reduce atmospheric CO2.
Studies reveal that solar forcing has negligible impact on recent global warming, while a declining Arctic sea ice cover threatens an ice-free North Pole. A new model also explains the behavior of slow earthquakes by simulating random fault slip.
Researchers Jan Schmedes and Ralph J. Archuleta found that locally ground motion increases near the epicenter but not equally along the rupture plane of large earthquakes. A new method for estimating detection capability was also developed, providing a more complete picture of seismicity.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a Probabilistic Voting-based Filtering Scheme to protect WSNs against fabricated reports with false votes and false validation votes. This scheme can detect compromised sensors in real-time, minimizing false alarms and wasteful response efforts.
A recent study suggests that New York City faces a substantial earthquake risk due to the presence of subtle but active faults. The research indicates that magnitude 5 quakes, strong enough to cause damage, should be routinely expected every 100 years, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the densely populated area.
Scientists use a method developed for detecting underground nuclear tests to identify mine collapses and detect additional surface seismic waves. The new technique compares model seismograms to observed data, helping to differentiate between collapse events and other seismic activities.
Researchers measured changes in rock stress affecting seismic wave speed at depths where earthquakes occur, detecting 'preseismic' changes before two earthquakes. The findings could lead to a better understanding of fault-zone stress and improve earthquake prediction.
Researchers measured seismic wave speed changes before two small earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault, finding anomalies that occurred hours before the events. The findings suggest a 'stress meter' could provide an indication of imminent earthquakes.
Samoa has been reinstated as a primary hotspot trail based on new data, confirming its age progression and eliminating arguments against a plume origin. High-resolution climate recordings suggest extreme storm events' effects on landscapes and carbon dioxide levels. Meanwhile, research also explores icebergs along the southern US Atlan...
Researchers analyzed GPS data and coral growth bands to understand strain buildup between earthquakes. They found that locked fault zones store strain, which releases during future large earthquakes. The study aims to improve earthquake models and tsunami risk assessment.
Scientists analyzed 15 major earthquakes and found at least 12 triggered small quakes hundreds to thousands of miles away. The study shows large earthquakes routinely trigger smaller jolts globally, contradicting previous assumptions that seismically active regions were most vulnerable.
Researchers at the SSA meeting will discuss the Rio Grande Rift, a region prone to earthquakes, and its potential connection to ancient volcanic activity. The study also explores seismic hazard estimates for areas like New Madrid and Charleston, which may be underreported.
Researchers are joining forces to study past earthquakes in the archaeological record, which can provide valuable insights into seismic hazard estimates. A new standardized method, known as the Archeological Quality Factor (AQF), is being proposed to document the certainty of ancient earthquake records.
Researchers have found a potential link between seismic activity on the southern Cascadia Subduction fault and major earthquakes along the northern San Andreas Fault. The study suggests that Cascadia earthquakes may trigger San Andreas earthquakes, with an average recurrence rate of approximately 220 years for both faults.
Researchers found that a geological province previously thought to prevent giant earthquakes broke through, potentially increasing the risk of more severe quakes like those occurring in Cascadia Subduction Zone. This discovery could have significant implications for earthquake preparedness and response worldwide.
A UM Marine geology and geophysics student has been awarded the prestigious MARGINS Student Prize for her research on slow slip and slide dynamics in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Her study revealed a 'slow slip event', where energy is released over several weeks instead of seconds, sparing damage to the surface environment.
A team of researchers used a supercomputer-powered virtual earthquake program to calculate realistic simulations of megathrust quakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The simulation found that ground motion could be up to twice as large and duration shaking could last up to five minutes, posing major damage to metropolitan areas like S...
A new seismic model reveals that earthquakes at Mount St. Helens are caused by a resonating fluid-filled crack filled with steam, driving a small explosive eruption if the pattern is disturbed. This finding challenges the previous stick-slip model and provides a more detailed understanding of the volcano's behavior.
Researchers understand that a smooth decrease in stress at the end of a primary fault reduces the likelihood of an earthquake jumping to another fault. This study highlights the importance of slip gradient and rupture front acceleration in determining fault jump probability.
A team of scientists has obtained core samples from a subsea fault system off the coast of Japan, providing new data on how earthquakes are generated. The cores contain over 5,000 samples that will help researchers understand the evolution of the subduction zone and its relationship to earthquake and tsunami activity.
Researchers discovered a rare doublet earthquake event near Japan, with two large quakes occurring over 60 days apart. The second quake was triggered by bending of the Pacific plate, shedding light on seismic dynamics and potential hazards in regions far from tectonic plate boundaries.
A comprehensive review of tsunami hazards concludes that the 2004 catastrophe was not the worst possible in many Indian Ocean borderlands. The study highlights areas of high risk, including Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands, and Africa's east coast, which could be affected by tsunamis generated by earthquakes in South Sumatra and Java.
Researchers have identified a newly discovered active fault under the Adriatic Sea that is actively building more of the Dalmatian Islands and Dinaride Mountains of Croatia. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that these geological formations stopped growing 20-30 million years ago.
Researchers suggest that large earthquakes emit electromagnetic signals days or weeks before they strike, potentially providing early warnings. However, the scientific community needs to take notice and verify these findings.
New research at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, limits potential ground movement to 3.6 meters per second, reducing earthquake risk. Small earthquakes may serve as predictors for large ones, contradicting conventional seismology theories.
Researchers found a 30% increase in tremor activity with rising tides, contradicting assumptions that water would clamp down on the movement. The tremors are likely caused by tidal stresses from gravitational influences of sun and moon.
Scientists have identified a major fault and recent fault activity that contribute to massive tsunamis in the Nankai Trough. The research provides insights into the risk of giant tsunamis in other regions, allowing for better assessments and mitigation strategies.
Scientists have extracted intact rock samples from 2 miles beneath the San Andreas Fault, a major breakthrough in understanding the fault's composition and behavior. The recovered cores provide unprecedented insights into the mechanism of earthquakes and the movement of tectonic plates.
Researchers have made significant discoveries in the AGU journal, including a new understanding of booming sand dunes, a reduction in the North Asian monsoon's incursion since AD 1400, and improvements in global ocean analysis. The study on booming sand dunes reveals that sound waves channeled through the dune amplify as they construct...