Articles tagged with Earthquakes
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.
A series of small earthquakes in Surrey in 2018 and 2019 may have been triggered by oil extraction from a nearby well, according to a new study. The research used mathematical modeling to predict the frequency of earthquakes based on oil extraction timing and volume, finding a rough match with observed seismic activity.
Researchers unveil groundbreaking insights into earthquake nucleation, showing that slow, aseismic motion is necessary and triggers seismic rupture. The study's findings also emphasize the critical role of geometric transitions in controlling nucleation dynamics.
The 2025 SSA Annual Meeting will present 48 technical sessions covering topics like earthquake forecasting and ocean-bottom seismology. Working journalists can register for free access to plenary talks and poster sessions.
A recent Colorado State University study demonstrates that climate change can affect earthquake frequency, as glaciers recede and slip along faults increases. This suggests that earthquake activity could increase as glaciers melt, impacting hazard assessment and seismology.
Scientists have developed a new technique to study faults, which can improve earthquake forecasts by determining the origins and directions of past rupture events. By analyzing curved scratches left on the fault plane, researchers can pinpoint where earthquakes start and spread, providing valuable insights for modeling future scenarios.
Researchers are on the trail of the 2011 mega earthquake's causes through deep-sea drilling. They aim to determine properties and processes in subduction zones, which can contribute to tsunamis.
The study discovered significant alterations in the region's state of stress and deformation following the 1975 Kalapana earthquake. The researchers found that Kīlauea's south flank experienced greater displacement prior to the earthquake, pointing to changes in mechanical properties influencing seismic activity.
A new study provides a comprehensive breakdown of how water injected into the Permian Basin changes subsurface pressures and causes earthquakes. The research offers insights that oil and gas operators and regulators can use to reduce seismicity and associated hazards.
A new study finds that reducing the depth of wastewater injection can decrease seismic activity, lending further support to this approach. The research suggests that regulatory efforts to backfill some injection wells with cement and reduce volumes have been effective in lowering Oklahoma's induced earthquake rate.
Researchers used muscovite mica to quantify chemomechanical weakening in materials. The study found that the surface condition of muscovite affects its degradation and failure, with dry conditions causing more deformation before failure.
Baise's research has spanned earthquake site response, liquefaction, site characterization, regional wave propagation, ground motions models and earthquake damage assessment. She uses data-driven approaches to learn from observational data and was an early adopter of machine learning methods in model development.
A machine learning model predicts soil behavior during earthquakes, identifying areas vulnerable to liquefaction and providing contour maps for safer construction sites. The study uses geological data to create detailed 3D maps of soil layers, improving prediction accuracy by 20%.
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake in New Jersey triggered widespread alarm, but surprisingly, the epicenter showed minimal damage, while distant areas like NYC and Virginia experienced stronger shaking. An analysis of Lg waves revealed a previously unmapped fault with complex strike-slip motion and thrust, affecting regional hazard assessments.
Researchers have long believed that rock friction follows a simple relationship with temperature, but a new study published in PNAS suggests otherwise. The study reveals that different underlying mechanisms affect the frictional resistance of faults, which could improve earthquake hazard assessments and forecasts.
Researchers studied the 4.8-magnitude Tewksbury earthquake, which surprised millions with its strong shaking reports despite minimal damage near the epicenter. The study found that the rupture direction may have funneled the shaking away from the epicenter and toward the northeast.
A study found that a significant increase in plate-derived water beneath Arima Hot Springs occurred before the 1995 Kobe earthquake, potentially weakening the fault and triggering the quake. This phenomenon is similar to increased chloride ions and radon in groundwater, which have been reported as precursors to earthquakes.
A study found increased menstrual irregularities in women living in areas affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. Risk factors included post-traumatic stress symptoms, chronic diseases, and smoking.
Researchers from Kyushu University have identified a link between fault strength and earthquake magnitude, suggesting that stronger faults are more likely to produce large earthquakes. The study analyzed seismic activity at over 1,000 locations and estimated the stress field and characterized faults as strong or weak.
Five boulders in northern New York and Vermont provide limits on earthquake shaking intensity. The age of the rock formations indicates how long it's been since a region experienced that level of shaking.
Researchers questioned the Cascadia subduction zone's earthquake record, finding that turbidite layers showed no better correlation than random chance. The study suggests a need for further research on turbidite layers and their connection to past earthquakes.
A rare 'dual-initiation' mechanism led to Japan's violent Noto earthquake, which killed over 280 people and damaged 83,000 homes. The quake began simultaneously at two points on the fault, encircling a barrier and breaking it, releasing intense energy.
Researchers from USU and international partners will investigate how earthquake energy accumulates and releases on major strike-slip faults. The project aims to improve earthquake hazard models and provide educational opportunities in Earth sciences.
A new study by SMU seismologists confirms that earthquakes in the Permian Basin occurring before 2017 were causally linked to underground wastewater injection. The study uses advanced earthquake location methods to reveal a spatial and temporal correlation with shallow injection activities since 2009.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure soil moisture in the vadose zone using seismic technology that detects vibrations from traffic noise. The technique, called distributed acoustic sensing, can provide real-time information on soil water content, crucial for managing water use and conservation efforts.
Researchers applied sub-daily GPS to measure the spatial and temporal evolution of early afterslip following the 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake, revealing a nearly 10% reduction in coseismic displacement overestimation. The study enhances seismic hazard assessment and contributes to improving early warning systems.
Researchers found two male skeletons with severe fracture and trauma injuries, suggesting earthquakes triggered building collapses during the 79CE eruption. The study provides new insight into the destruction of Pompeii, shedding light on the complex interplay between volcanic and seismic phenomena.
A new imaging technique allows scientists to visualize the Earth's rocky interior using GPS data, revealing details about the planet's crust and mantle. This method has the potential to improve earthquake predictions by combining it with other techniques.
Researchers analyzed local earthquakes and geochemical data from recent lava samples to determine the source of eruptions. The evidence implies a moderately-sized magma reservoir delivering magma to the surface, indicating continued volcanic episodes into the future.
A recent study published in Terra Nova suggests that Iceland's Reykanes Peninsula will experience recurring, moderately sized volcanic eruptions due to interconnected magma plumbing system. The eruptions pose significant risks to local populations and critical infrastructure.
A recent study analyzed ground displacements caused by the December 2020 Petrinja earthquake, showing a magnitude of horizontal shifts of up to 40 centimeters. The research used an unprecedented amount of geodetic data to reconstruct three-dimensional motions and sheds light on the region's tectonic activity.
The 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake had a moment magnitude of 7.5 and registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7. Researchers found multiple rupture episodes, including an initial rupture coinciding with preceding crustal activity, and bifurcated main ruptures across the initial rupture zone.
Researchers found that the energy dissipated by past earthquakes was significantly higher than expected, suggesting repeated earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.8-8.3 Mw. The unique pattern of fragmentation in the breccia provided valuable evidence to estimate the energy of past earthquakes.
A recent study improves earthquake and tsunami hazard assessment by revealing the Cascadia Subduction Zone's complex geometry. The zone is divided into four segments, each potentially insulated against movements, and has a megathrust fault that can trigger massive earthquakes and tsunamis.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that the alignment of faults in rock formations plays a crucial role in determining where and when earthquakes occur. The study found that complex geometry beneath the surface contributes to stronger ground motions and more frequent earthquakes.
The study identified two main reasons for the amplification of tsunamis: a lens effect due to shallow waters and wave refraction, as well as diffraction at capes and multiple reflections. These local conditions contributed to the high tsunamis in Iida Bay.
A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a novel method to seal cracks and fractures in rocks using a concretion-forming resin. The resin holds its shape and seals flow-paths rapidly, withstanding six earthquakes in a test period, making it more durable than conventional cement-based materials.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive fiber optic gyroscope to monitor ground rotations caused by earthquakes in the Campi Flegrei area. The sensor, based on the Sagnac effect, can detect small to medium local earthquakes and provide valuable insights into seismic activity.
Researchers suggest three measures to improve EEW alerts: conducting nationwide drills, maintaining safe environments, and adding clear instructions to encourage immediate action. Studies found that people often wait for tremors to begin instead of taking protective measures, highlighting the need for more effective warning systems.
Research in the Alaskan-Aleutian subduction zone found evidence of splay fault uplift generating additional tsunami activity in half of last eight earthquakes. Splay faults can create local tsunamis reaching shores in under 30 minutes, exacerbating coastal destruction.
A study found that heavy snowfall and rain contribute to earthquake swarms in northern Japan by altering underground pressure. Climate conditions are linked to seismic activity, with the timing of intense precipitation events correlating with the start of quakes.
Researchers find that rocks' permeability affects slow slip events, potentially leading to a better model for predicting earthquakes. The study's findings provide new insights into the role of fluid cycling in subduction zones.
Researchers at the Universiteit van Amsterdam triggered mini-earthquakes in a lab by applying a small seismic wave to a granular material. The study shows that these events can be understood using laboratory-scale frictional experiments, and its findings are relevant for understanding remote earthquake triggering in larger faults.
A recent study has mapped over 1,500 earthquakes and their respective fault planes using high-resolution data from a dense network of seismometers. The research suggests that earthquakes do not release stress by a single strong quake along a single fault plane, but rather across multiple parallel fault planes.
A new study reveals that the Ross Ice Shelf, the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, moves 6-8 centimeters once or twice a day due to slip events triggered by the Whillans Ice Stream. This movement has significant implications for understanding the stability of Antarctica's ice shelves and potential icequakes.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to analyze the behavior of granular materials, revealing their internal forces and shapes in 3D detail. This breakthrough may lead to better understanding of landslides and industrial processes.
A new study using computational models suggests that a subduction zone below the Gibraltar Strait will migrate into the Atlantic, contributing to an Atlantic ring of fire. This process, called subduction invasion, is expected to happen in approximately 20 million years.
A team of Earth scientists and statisticians has developed a method that can identify underground nuclear explosions with 99% accuracy. This breakthrough, published in Geophysical Journal International, uses data from known US nuclear tests and seismic patterns to distinguish between nuclear and natural earthquakes.
Scientists used ancient rock formations in Alaska and Japan to develop a new model predicting pressure solution activity in subduction zones, which can affect the amount of elastic strain accumulated in different parts of the seismogenic zone.
A new study proposes that the Seattle fault zone originated from an ancient tear in the continent, with forces exerted by tectonic deformation shaping its history. The researchers mapped bedrock across western Washington and used gravity and magnetic data to test existing hypotheses of the fault's geometry.
A team of scientists discovered that fractures propagate in starts and stops, moving through materials at high speeds. The amplitude and time between jumps depend on the viscosity of the liquid injected into the rock.
Researchers have created a lightweight, portable antenna that can switch between two operating states to communicate with satellites or devices on the ground. The antenna's unique design allows it to be compact and foldable, making it ideal for disaster-struck areas or underdeveloped regions.
A new study found that the roughness of pre-existing faults and associated stress heterogeneity play a key role in causing large induced events during fluid injection. The researchers developed laboratory experiments to investigate this phenomenon, which has important implications for preventing runaway induced earthquakes.
The new USGS National Seismic Hazard Model shows nearly 75% of the US is at risk for damaging earthquakes, with a color-coded map highlighting areas most prone to shaking. The model identifies over 500 additional faults that could produce damaging quakes, updating the landscape of earthquake research.
A new method calculates rockfall risk over large areas of very high mountains, considering both earthquake-induced and erosion-driven risks. The study found that nearly 60% of total rockfall hazard in the Andean zone is attributable to seismic activity.