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Tip sheet for October issue of BSSA

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.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateOct 2, 2008

Probably wireless

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.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Security and Networks·DateSep 3, 2008

June 2008 Geology and GSA Today media highlights

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...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateMay 27, 2008

Big quakes spark jolts worldwide

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.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 25, 2008

Possible link found between earthquakes along the Cascadia and San Andreas faults

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.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateApr 3, 2008

Why do earthquakes stop?

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.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateFeb 5, 2008

Paired earthquakes separated in time and space

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2008

Making (accurate predictions of) waves

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.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalGeophysical Journal International·DateJan 27, 2008

AGU journal highlights -- Sept. 6, 2007

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...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 9, 2007

Highlights from August issue of BSSA

Researchers at University of Oregon and US Geological Survey identified past activity clues for the Southern San Andreas Fault, ranking 316 event indicators. They also improved the accuracy of physics-based predictive earthquake simulations, enabling safer building designs.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateAug 6, 2007

News from BSSA's June issue -- Identifying nuclear blasts, examining earthquakes, and more

Scientists developed a new technique to discriminate between small earthquakes and mine blasts, achieving a success rate of 97%. Researchers also created the most detailed 3D model of the Hayward Fault System in Northern California, revealing that it poses the greatest risk for major quakes in the next 30 years.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateJun 4, 2007

Media bias distorts details of past earthquakes

A recent study found that media accounts of past earthquakes, such as the M7.6 Bhuj, India earthquake of 2001, can be misleading due to a natural bias towards dramatic effects. The research compared written accounts with ground-based surveys and concluded that the media bias can be significant, particularly at stronger shaking levels.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateApr 3, 2007

AGU Journal highlights -- February 23, 2007

A new satellite method has overcome an obstacle to measuring atmospheric water vapor, providing valuable insights for studying climate and weather. Meanwhile, researchers suggest that irrigation may be causing regional cooling that masks the effects of greenhouse gas warming in certain regions.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 23, 2007

Mapping the wake of a pending quake

Researchers have modeled past tsunamis to determine the likelihood of future waves and potential impacts on cities along the Sumatran coast. The study reveals that coastal communities face substantial exposure to tsunami surges, particularly in cities like Bengkalu and Padang.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 4, 2006