Articles tagged with Earthquakes
A team of scientists has documented a new phenomenon where the seafloor creates a void that sucks in surrounding seawater. This discovery challenges scientific understanding of seafloor spreading and its impact on ocean crust. The researchers believe that the dilation of the ocean crust may lead to changes in water temperatures, chemic...
A new study suggests the Seattle fault played a role in causing damage to unreinforced brick chimneys in West Seattle and Bremerton after the 2001 earthquake. The research found that areas with heavy chimney damage experienced stronger shaking, indicating the fault may have acted as a megaphone to amplify seismic waves.
Researchers at Penn State found lags between the changes in forces and strength in laboratory simulations, with delays ranging from seconds to weeks after initial earthquakes. The study suggests a competition between compaction and dilation of granules in gouge zones contributes to delayed fault movements.
Small earthquakes with magnitudes zero to three are recorded in South African gold mines, providing a unique dataset for scientists. The researchers are using this data to investigate the properties of small earthquakes and bridge the gap between laboratory experiments and real-world seismic activity.
Researchers have discovered that the breakdown of mineral serpentine can trigger earthquakes in Earth's deeply buried crust. At pressures above a few tens of kilometers, scientists expected faulting instability only if volume change during serpentine breakdown was positive. However, experiments have shown that even with a strongly nega...
Researchers discovered that a mineral gel formed during rock abrasion can reduce friction between rocks to near-zero levels at high shearing speeds. This finding has implications for understanding and predicting earthquake damage, as it could lead to more accurate simulations of seismic slip speeds and fault weakening processes.
Researchers found a periodic increase in slip rate every three years along the northern half of the central San Andreas Fault, indicating a higher probability of moderate to large quakes. This cycle is characterized by an upswing of microquakes, followed by moderate to large earthquakes six to seven times more likely to occur.
The Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) will map seismic processes across North America, enabling improved earthquake prediction and understanding. By deploying hundreds of sensors, researchers will measure subtle deformation and help geologists understand the shifting strains in the ground.
Researchers use seismographic data to produce a sharp image of the planet's interior, revealing giant spouts of heat known as mantle plumes. The findings confirm the existence of these column-like structures, which are believed to cause island chains like Hawaii and Iceland.
Researchers detected physical changes in faults using seismic data from the Parkfield experiment. The study provided evidence for structural changes in fault zones that can be viewed with active seismic monitoring systems.
New analysis suggests earthquakes in the Wadati-Benioff zone are confined to the uppermost part of the Juan de Fuca plate's crust, limiting their magnitude to around 7. However, a quake occurring in both layers could reach a magnitude of 8, posing a risk to the heavily populated Interstate 5 corridor.
The Penn State Earth 101 course uses B-movie clips to engage students in learning about natural disasters, promoting critical thinking and science-based decision-making. Students work on projects such as public affairs manuals for cities with earthquake histories, debating topics like government response to natural disasters.
A recent study by Tibi et al. provides new insights into the mechanism of deep earthquakes, with implications for earthquake prediction. The researchers demonstrated remote triggering of one deep earthquake by another, shedding light on how these powerful events begin.
A new study by Northwestern University suggests Memphis should consider California-style earthquake building codes, but experts argue the costs would be too high. The proposed code could cut earthquake damage in half, but would increase construction costs by 10-33% and have significant economic impacts.
A growing number of supercities, with over 200 globally, are located near major fault lines and could face devastating earthquakes. The number of fatalities from building collapses during earthquakes has increased four-fold since the 17th century due to urbanization.
Scientists are studying the impact of human activities on water quality in the Brush Creek watershed. Geophysicists have discovered small earthquakes in northeastern Kansas related to movements of the Earth's crust. Additionally, researchers are analyzing how irrigation affects summertime climate in the High Plains.
Scientists used NASA's Terra satellite to study the effects of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in India, detecting dewatering and surface water far from the epicenter. The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument provided compelling evidence of surface water in remote locations inaccessible to teams on the ground.
The church was founded on a cliff top due to its patron saint's martyrdom, but was soon hit by two earthquakes, a flood, and a landslide. Analysis suggests it may be the unluckiest church in the world.
Researchers at UCL create first laboratory-generated deep and intermediate focus earthquakes, recreating extreme pressure and temperature conditions. The study reveals dehydration reactions as the cause of these enigmatic earthquakes, which can occur hundreds of kilometers below the Earth's surface.
Preliminary study finds that modified structural steel connections may fail under small bomb blasts, compromising building stability. Researchers aim to address issues and consider progressive collapse of multi-story buildings.
Seismologists have made significant progress in identifying violations of the nuclear test ban treaty by analyzing technical characteristics of seismic signals. Nearly all questionable events since 1995 have been identified as nuclear explosions, chemical explosions, earthquakes, or mine collapses.
Scientists use microgravity to study soil behavior and simulate earthquake effects, aiming to improve foundation design and mitigate soil liquefaction. The experiment will analyze the strength and stiffness of sand under different conditions, shedding light on the physics behind soil movement.
Experts say preparing for natural disasters can also help mitigate the impact of terrorist attacks, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive approaches to risk management. Communities must consider all potential risks and develop disaster plans that address various types of hazards.
Researchers analyzed seismic activity from six stations in West Antarctica, discovering a significant number of small earthquakes. The study confirms that West Antarctica is prone to earthquakes due to its rift-like nature.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a correlation between earthquakes and ocean tides, with seismic activity increasing during tidal lows. This study suggests that the seafloor crust is breathing with the ocean tides, allowing for regular tidal scheduling of seismic energy release.
New research suggests earthquakes destroyed fortified buildings, changed river courses and made elite rulers vulnerable to attack in ancient civilizations. Scientists at Stanford University are painting a picture of an ancient world where earthquakes played a crucial role in shaping history.
Researchers found that vibrations recorded on September 11 were of a low magnitude, too small to cause structural damage. The collapse of the towers was attributed to the interaction between the ground and building foundations, transmitting energy from the impacts and collapses.
Seismologist Douglas A. Wiens finds deep earthquakes recur at the same spot repeatedly, supporting ductile shear zone model. The research uses seismic wave evidence to locate earthquakes with accuracy, enabling future study of deep fault zones.
By analyzing seismic waves, scientists have mapped the physical properties of the earth below, identifying regions with seismically fast mantle that produce gem-quality diamonds. This discovery could aid in locating new diamond mines by targeting areas with similar characteristics.
Studies of the Eastern California Shear Zone reveal significant temperature and heat flow differences between sides of a strike slip fault, leading to unequal ground movement during earthquakes. This discovery provides a more accurate method for modeling earthquake data, allowing computer models to better fit ground reality.
Researchers use geophysical surveys and underwater explorers to discover two long-lost cities off the Egyptian coast. The cities are believed to have sunk due to earthquakes, with some evidence suggesting land subsidence or tsunamis as contributing factors.
A team of geologists found evidence of powerful Ordovician earthquakes that caused widespread damage across the eastern United States, stretching from Kentucky to New York. The earthquakes likely had a magnitude of 7-9 and were triggered by the collision of North America with a volcanic island chain.
A new study by geophysicists Shelley J. Kenner and Paul Segall suggests that devastating earthquakes could strike the New Madrid seismic zone along the Mississippi River within this century, potentially causing widespread destruction from Arkansas to Iowa.
A new study suggests that Istanbul is likely to suffer a major earthquake within the next 30 years. The research estimates a 62% probability of strong shaking near the city, comparable to recent disasters in Izmit and Düzce.
Researchers present findings on the geological evolution of the North American Cordillera, including the Cascadia subduction zone's impact on earthquake hazards. They also explore tectonic movement and its implications for densely populated areas in the Pacific Northwest.
A revised geological history of coastal California reveals that the Mendocino Triple Junction is a slab window, too simple to accurately portray events at the northern end of the San Andreas fault. The thickening and thinning of the crust alter the underlying rock characteristics, influencing earthquake responses.
Millions of defective low-rise buildings in the US lead to high annual losses from windstorms, with recent hurricanes causing $70 billion in damages. A symposium aims to develop a national plan for wind-hazard mitigation and improve building codes.
The USGS has been monitoring a series of large earthquakes around the world since August 17. The seismic activity is believed to be related to stress buildup in the Earth's crust. Scientists will discuss their findings and lessons learned from recent earthquakes, including those in Turkey, Greece, Taiwan, and Mexico.
A new device called a magnetorheological damper has been tested on a model building set atop an earthquake-simulating shake table, showing promise in minimizing damage in earthquakes. The device reduces the peak acceleration by 50 percent, and is designed to be inexpensive, straightforward, and powered by a battery.
Mete Sozen, a structural engineer from Purdue University, has proposed a simplified alternative engineering method for designing earthquake-resistant buildings in Turkey. The five-page method is simpler than the current 75-page code and could be more easily understood and applied by engineers.
Scientists have used seismic reflection profiling to reveal an ancient river valley one mile wide and 250 feet deep beneath Portland, Ore. The study suggests that earthquakes ruptured the surface in the past 15,000 years and that two suspected fault zones are active.
The Cornell team will monitor seismic waves produced by local and distant earthquakes using temporary recording stations set up in eastern Turkey. They aim to determine how the Arabian plate is being supported and what specific earthquake hazards exist in the region, shedding light on the early stages of continental collision.
A new way of dating earthquakes has been developed by Vanderbilt University researcher Jay S. Noller, allowing for a more precise timeline of past quakes and a more accurate assessment of future quake probabilities. By studying bedrock formations, Noller was able to determine the timing, frequency, and likelihood of future quakes.
Yale researchers develop a hypothesis linking rock metamorphism and earthquake generation. They show that rapid release of water from rocks within fault zones can lead to high internal fluid pressures, decreased rock strength, and induced rock failure, potentially triggering repeated earthquakes.
A new study found that surface fractures and strains in a 1971 California earthquake were caused by two nearby faults, contributing to damage to streets, highways, and buildings. The study also revealed that the San Fernando fault zone is 11 miles long, instead of the previously assessed 8 miles.
Recent USGS research reveals little difference in ground motions on Mississippi River bluffs vs nearby floodplain. This suggests areas underlain by rock may experience less shaking than those with alluvium, such as valleys.
A Duke University geological study proposes that earthquakes triggered the massive and puzzling swarms of icebergs believed to have separated from the Canadian ice sheet. The researchers hypothesize that periodic crustal failure along the eastern Canadian coast, caused by the growing weight of the ice sheet, led to the quakes, which th...
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is enabling geologists to study earthquakes in real time, revealing incremental motion and slow squeezing within plates that can lead to earthquakes. This technology is improving earthquake hazard studies by allowing for more accurate predictions of seismic activity.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a network of instruments to predict and track tsunamis in real-time. The sensors will be placed on the ocean floor in strategic parts of the Pacific rim, including south of the Aleutian Islands chain and along coastal areas of Asia.
In 1996, a total of 72 significant earthquakes occurred worldwide, with one great earthquake (magnitude 8.1) causing 108 deaths and widespread damage in Indonesia. Another major quake in China resulted in over 251 fatalities and left nearly one million homeless.
Scientists are installing a network of 250 Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to continuously measure the movement of earthquake faults in southern California. The data will enable researchers to forecast future earthquake hazards and prioritize mitigation activities.
Researchers analyze slow earthquake signals at San Andreas Fault, revealing complex picture. The slow process was comparable to that of a regular earthquake, with total displacement across rupture surface of only a few centimeters.
Researchers have developed a new technique to predict earthquake magnitude based on rock structure, providing more accurate assessments of seismic risk. By analyzing data from 37,000 earthquakes in southern California, the team created 3D images of subsurface rock formations that reveal varying maximum depths along and across faults.