Articles tagged with Earthquakes
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.