Articles tagged with Earthquakes
A new study in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America identifies 13 attributes of resilience in disaster response and preparedness. Agility and diversity are found to be crucial in both phases, while creativity and connectivity become vital during the response phase.
Researchers used AI to identify four times more earthquakes than earlier tools and pinpoint previously unknown faults in the region. The study expands seismicity recorded by monitoring stations from 2022 to 2025, revealing two faults converging under the town of Pozzuoli west of Naples.
A new study reveals that a 1954 magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Northern California was likely triggered by the Cascadia subduction interface, challenging previous assumptions about its source.
Researchers found that the sediment surge after the Wenchuan Earthquake led to a significant increase in bedload flux, accounting for 65% of the overall sediment flowing through the river. The elevated flux persisted for at least ten years, with no evidence of declining back to background levels.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology used machine learning algorithms to predict bearing layer depth and assess liquefaction risk. The study found that random forest models outperformed others, especially with increasing spatial data density.
New research found microearthquakes in the central Southern Alps increase during warmer periods, triggered by meltwater from glaciers and seasonal snow. The study highlights the role of extreme rainfall and glacier dynamics in seismic activity.
A new report estimates that an earthquake early warning (EEW) system could provide at least 10 seconds of warning time for hazardous shaking in Alaska. Increasing the density and spacing of seismic stations can add up to 15 seconds, according to researchers. The study aims to help expand the US ShakeAlert system to Alaska.
A proposed earthquake early warning system for Alaska could provide critical seconds of warning time before strong shaking, according to research by Alex Fozkos. The system would use a network of seismic sensors to detect an earthquake's fast-moving primary waves and send alerts before slower secondary waves arrive.
A team of geoscientists used advanced satellite data to track land movements in Greece and Turkey, providing crucial information for assessing the risk of major earthquakes. The study's findings show that stress builds up at plate boundaries, leading to increased likelihood of earthquakes.
Researchers found that ground acceleration from moonquakes can shift lunar landscapes and threaten stability of future missions. The study assesses damage risk using new models of quakes and finds a one in 20 million chance of a potentially damaging moonquake occurring near an active fault.
The University of Tokyo researchers developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can withstand ocean currents and wind, enabling the acquisition of reliable seafloor measurements. The system achieved a horizontal root mean square error of approximately 1–2 cm, comparable to existing vessel-based systems.
A recent study analyzed CCTV footage of the 2025 Myanmar Earthquake, capturing unprecedented details about the fault motion. The team found that the fault slipped sideways by 2.5 meters in just 1.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 3.2 meters per second.
Researchers analyzed seismic data to conclude that the 2025 Myanmar earthquake ruptured at supershear velocity, reaching speeds of up to 6 kilometers per second. The rupture occurred along a 480-kilometer stretch of the Sagaing Fault, causing significant damage and loss of life in Myanmar and neighboring countries.
A recent large earthquake in Myanmar was recorded on CCTV camera footage, capturing the first direct visual evidence of curved fault slip. The video analysis revealed that the fault slipped 2.5 meters over 1.3 seconds, with a peak velocity of 3.2 meters per second, confirming previous inferences made from seismic waveforms.
An international team of researchers proposes that a meteorite impact just west of Winslow, Arizona, created Meteor Crater and triggered a massive landslide in the Grand Canyon. The study found evidence of a paleolake forming at the same time, with driftwood dating back to around 55,000 years.
Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized source of seismic hazard for the Yukon Territory, finding evidence of multiple large earthquakes on the Tintina fault in recent geologic history. The team's findings confirm that the fault continues to accumulate strain, posing a future earthquake threat with potential magnitudes ex...
A recent study analyzed seismic waveform data from a tsunami earthquake (Mw 8.3-8.5) that occurred off the British South Sandwich Islands in 2021. The team found a combination of directional variation in rupture propagation and slow slip events contributing to long-duration shaking, differing from conventional models.
Researchers analyzed seismic waveform data to reveal a complex source process with multiple rupture episodes. The study found that the earthquake exhibited unconventional rupture behavior, with asymmetric ruptures propagating in both north and south directions.
Researchers detected a slow slip earthquake in Japan's Nankai Fault, behaving like a tectonic shock absorber. The event revealed fluids are a key ingredient for slow earthquakes and confirmed that the fault releases pent-up energy harmlessly.
Researchers at Yokohama National University developed a new model explaining slow slips in stick-slip systems without relying on artificial friction laws. The Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic toy model provides a novel scenario to explain the static friction paradox, which has remained unsolved for decades.
A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar, causing widespread collapse of vulnerable buildings that led to majority of deaths and destruction. The report calls for adopting modern seismic building codes and prioritizing retrofitting of existing structures.
A new laboratory earthquake model connects the microscopic real contact area between fault surfaces to earthquake occurrences, offering insights into earthquake mechanics and potential prediction. Continuous monitoring of physical properties could provide new tools for short-term systems and reliable prediction.
Researchers used SWOT satellite data to confirm that two mega tsunamis triggered by landslides caused trapped waves in the fjord. The study provides new insights into ocean extremes and how climate change affects remote areas.
Researchers mapped electron density in the ionosphere and observed unique 3D wave patterns after the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, showing earthquakes generate waves from multiple points along the entire fault line. The study provides new insights into how earthquakes affect the upper atmosphere.
A new near-real-time prediction model for earthquake-triggered landslides has been developed, utilizing a global database of 398,698 mapped events and cutting-edge deep learning. The model achieves spatial accuracy exceeding 82% and can generate probability maps of landslide occurrence in under one minute.
Researchers developed an AI-based framework to predict grout permeation behavior in heterogeneous soils, outperforming traditional FEM simulations. The model achieved high predictive accuracy of R^2 = 0.849 and processed predictions in under 2 seconds.
Researchers developed a new equation to predict seismic wave propagation in magma containing crystals and bubbles, revealing how crystal content influences wave velocity and waveform properties. The analysis also showed that bubble content affects attenuation effects, with discernible differences emerging between models.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing 4,900 fatalities and widespread destruction. The event exposed weaknesses in urban planning, preservation, and disaster preparedness, emphasizing the need for reconciliation with seismic resilience.
A collaborative research project led by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz aims to understand the impact of thermally induced fracture formation on mineral rock properties. The study will help reduce associated risks and improve geothermal energy's efficiency.
Researchers have discovered that the Wasatch Fault's shallow dipping angle at depth may lead to stronger, more intense shaking at the surface, increasing the risk of injury and destruction. The scientists found that the fault rocks themselves are weaker due to past deformation, priming the fault for future failure.
A new study has investigated seismic signal shear-wave splitting to provide early warnings of dangerous eruptions. The research team discovered that the amount of splitting doubles before a larger, more explosive eruption, indicating a useful relationship between the parameter and the size of the eruption.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo used simulations to create a detailed 3D model of a fault, which helped them understand how different parts of a fault contribute to uplift during an earthquake. The study revealed that fault geometry is a critical factor in determining the impact of earthquakes on land.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that a major earthquake could expand the coastal floodplain by 35-116 square miles, affecting thousands of residents and properties. The impact would be most severe in southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California.
Researchers are extending the earthquake history of northeastern North America by analyzing Native American place names and languages, revealing regular seismic activity and past large earthquakes. The study found that words for earthquake exist in several tribes' languages, suggesting a repetitive phenomenon.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from four lakes in Guatemala, revealing the distinct direction of ground shaking during a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that devastated the country in 1976. The unusual pattern showed thicker deposits at the end of the fault rupture, indicating directional shaking.
The March 28 magnitude 7.7 Myanmar earthquake ruptured over 400 kilometers of the Sagaing fault, causing severe ground shaking and infrastructure damage. Seismologists shared early analyses of the event's fault properties, highlighting a supershear rupture and widespread triggering by dynamic stresses.
Researchers at KAUST developed a highly accurate 3D dynamic model to better anticipate large earthquakes. The model provides a more accurate understanding of strong shaking during the Turkiye earthquake, enabling information for future seismic hazard assessments.
This study used high-resolution satellite data to rapidly assess coseismic surface ruptures caused by the 2023 Türkiye earthquake doublet. The research found separate rupture zones for each earthquake and highlighted seismic hazard risks for specific fault segments, including the Malatya Fault and East Anatolian Fault Zone.
A Kobe University study found that temperature at the plate interface predicts earthquake type, while a specific plate shape causes a seismic gap. Water released from rock transformation explains slow slip events and tectonic tremors, reducing stress between plates.
This study reveals clear periodic patterns in seismic velocity changes on daily, semi-daily, and monthly timescales, driven by tidal forces. The research provides new insights into how tidal forces impact fault systems, offering valuable information for understanding fault dynamics and seismic hazards.
Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) technology provides unprecedented precision in seismic imaging, breaking resolution limitations of traditional methods. It characterizes complex structures within the Earth's interior and offers higher-resolution subsurface models.
A new study by Reichman University and the Geological Survey of Israel found that the Israeli public prioritizes faster earthquake warnings over accuracy. Injuries from early warnings were negligible compared to damage without warnings.
A Rice University researcher is working to fortify buildings in Haiti against future earthquakes with cost-effective retrofitting solutions. The study, recently published in Earthquake Spectra, explores five techniques to improve seismic performance, including steel braces and reinforced concrete jacketing.
Researchers forecast shaking damage from crustal earthquake scenarios in Mexico City, with varying levels of damage depending on the region's underlying geology. The study modeled earthquakes up to magnitude 5.5 and found that one- to two-story buildings received the most damage, particularly in areas with soft lakebed sediments.
A new seismic study of Singapore reveals areas with increased risk of ground shaking, guiding urban growth and renewable energy development. The research identifies potential reservoirs for geothermal energy production and provides insights into the city-state's tectonic history.
Researchers found a correlation between solar heat and seismic activity, suggesting that incorporating solar activity predictions into detailed Earth temperature models can improve earthquake forecasts. This study sheds light on the role of solar heat in triggering earthquakes, potentially providing a more accurate prediction method.
Researchers found that foliated rocks along a fault line exhibit anisotropic properties, causing uneven strength and contributing equally to earthquake generation. This discovery suggests that the properties of rocks may play a significant role in seismic activity.
A new study developed a computer model to predict household displacement duration in US communities after disasters, accounting for socioeconomic factors. The model combines physical damage estimates with socioeconomic characteristics to help inform risk mitigation strategies.
A Japanese research team investigated the connection between housing damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake and all-cause mortality. The study found no significant relationship between the two, suggesting that public health efforts may have suppressed mortality rates.
Researchers used Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites to quantify off-fault damage and surface displacement caused by the two 2023 earthquakes. The study suggests that off-fault damage can reach up to five kilometers from the fault, contradicting previous estimates.
Researchers analyzed spatial interactions between active fault segments in the L'Aquila Basin, revealing a structural connection between disconnected faults. Thermoluminescence dating indicated tectonic activity began 2.7 million years ago, while stable isotope analysis revealed fault structures formed at depths of 1.5-2 kilometers.
Researchers used a remote seismic station to detect and characterize an earthquake swarm in American Samoa, producing a new catalog of events. The technique employed, combining single-station data with deep-learning models, can be useful in sparse monitoring regions.
Researchers found evidence that repeated earthquakes like the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake shaped the region's topography. The study used satellite radar images to measure displacements caused by the earthquake, resulting in over 4m of uplift and emergence of new terraces along the northern coast.
A recent study published in Seismica journal has debunked claims that a magnitude 4.5 earthquake in Iran was a covert nuclear weapons test. The researchers analyzed seismic signals from the event and concluded that it was caused by natural geological forces, contradicting widespread misinformation on social media and news outlets.
Two large 'islands' with the size of a continent have been found in the Earth's mantle, showing they are at least half a billion years old. Seismologists discovered these regions by studying the tones and sound volume of seismic waves, finding little damping in the islands, but high damping in nearby cold slab graveyard.
If the Summerville phenomenon is an earthquake light, it might be that shallow earthquakes in the area released water-soluble gases like radon or methane, which were then ignited by static electricity or rock movement. Gas detectors could potentially test this hypothesis.
A team of researchers re-examined the aftershock sequence of the 2015 Bonin Islands earthquake and found no evidence for a record-breaking deep aftershock in the lower mantle. Instead, they discovered a distribution of aftershocks compatible with a 12-kilometer olivine sliver that sheds light on how deep earthquakes can occur.
Charles Langston is awarded the Harry Fielding Reid Medal for his groundbreaking work on receiver function methodology, enabling unprecedented detail in imaging the Earth's crust and upper mantle. His techniques underlie multi-station imaging methods used globally, and have also been applied to study seismic data from Mars InSight.
Mori received the award at the 2025 SSA Annual Meeting for his efforts in promoting SSA's international outreach, including a successful joint meeting with LACSC. He also supported the SSA Kanamori Fund to mentor and network early-career seismologists.
Zhu has made groundbreaking contributions to earthquake monitoring using deep-learning models like PhaseNet, DeepDenoiser, and GaMMA. His work has led to breakthroughs in seismic phase picking, denoising, and phase association.