Articles tagged with Earthquakes
Researchers developed a new methodology to estimate the source of weak ground vibrations in subduction zones, providing more accurate travel times and insights into fluid pressure and permeability at plate interfaces. This approach can aid in detecting slipping among plates and warning against larger earthquakes and tsunamis.
The US Intermountain West region experienced four significant earthquake sequences in 2020, with research characterizing the tectonics of the area and gaining insights into fault systems. The focus section papers discuss the Magna, Stanley, Monte Cristo, and Lone Pine earthquakes, providing new knowledge on seismic activity.
Researchers have detected unusual earthquake sequences in central Utah's Black Rock Desert, highlighting the region's active volcanic system. The quakes were shallower and produced lower-frequency seismic energy than usual, suggesting a different origin than other Utah earthquakes.
Researchers successfully detected storm swell events and earthquakes across a nine-month observation period using the Curie cable's telecommunications data. The approach transforms the ocean's fiber optic network into a continuous, real-time earthquake and tsunami monitoring system.
Researchers found strong seismic shaking deformed sediments and triggered mud avalanches, indicating extreme earthquakes preceded rockslide clusters. The study proposes seismic shaking can degrade rock slopes towards critical tipping point.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a connection between slow-motion fault slips and fast earthquakes, finding that 'slow slips' precede dozens of large magnitude 7 earthquakes. These precursory slips are directly involved in starting the earthquake and migrate towards where the fast slip begins.
New research on fault networks, metamorphism, and sedimentary rocks provides insights into geological processes in Australia and North America. Studies analyze the evolution of complex fault systems, deformation patterns, and regional tectonics.
A new study found no link between countries' frequency of natural disasters and their propensity to take disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures. Despite this, national variation was observed, with some countries responding with extensive changes while others made no action.
A massive paleo-tsunami struck near ancient Tel Dor between 9,910 to 9,290 years ago, erasing evidence of low-lying coastal villages in the area. The tsunami deposit was discovered through underwater excavation and modeling, with estimated wave heights ranging from 16 to 40 meters.
A new explanation for Arctic rapid warming proposes that great earthquakes in the Aleutian Arc triggered the phenomenon. These events released methane from permafrost, leading to climate warming.
Researchers found that deep, slow-slip behaviors beneath subduction zones, such as Cascadia, may control the timing and behavior of megathrust earthquakes. Slow-slip events, which occur at a deeper depth than damaging earthquakes, release energy in different directions, primarily down.
Researchers at KAUST have updated the model for earthquake-prone regions like California, finding that the strength lies in the upper crust and the lower crust exhibits more ductility over time. This 'crème brûlée' model supports regional hazard assessments for populated territories.
Research finds smaller earthquakes (magnitude 5.5 and below) are the main source of strong shaking at a 60-kilometer distance. These 'little earthquakes with ambition' produce more shaking than expected, often causing significant damage.
Researchers suggest that a large lake overlying the southern San Andreas fault in California could have affected rupture timing. A 1,000-year record of earthquakes and geological analysis indicate that high water levels on Lake Cahuilla increased stress on the rocks underneath, weakening faults and potentially leading to earlier ruptures.
A new AI-based method has been developed to detect small, imperceptibly tiny earthquakes that occur on the same faults as bigger earthquakes. This technology could provide insights into how earthquakes interact and spread out along the fault, allowing for a clearer view of earthquake patterns.
A new methodology helps disaster preparedness officials in large cities create regional contingency plans to ensure emergency responders can get patients to likeliest-to-stay-open hospital facilities after a quake. The technique estimates death and injury risks, projects hospital damage, and maps best routes for patient transportation.
Paleoseismic trenching reveals three surface-rupturing earthquakes occurred approximately 8,800, 4,200, and 1,000 years ago on the Gales Creek fault. The study suggests that earthquakes occur about every 4,000 years on the fault, posing significant seismic hazard to the Portland metro area.
Researchers developed a new method to distinguish between small earthquakes and low-yield nuclear explosions in the US West. By comparing local magnitude and coda duration magnitude measurements, seismologists can identify seismic events caused by human activity more accurately.
Passelègue's groundbreaking study sheds light on the dynamics of faults, finding that initial strain plays a crucial role in determining rupture speed and energy release. His model shows that higher strains trigger faster ruptures while lower strains result in slower ones.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have discovered a universal scaling law for touch sensitivity using seismic waves. The law enables better understanding of touch experiences across species, predicting similar sensations despite differences in force and receptor depth.
Researchers found that reinforcing bushing systems with steel stiffeners reduces damage by up to 33-55%, resulting in lower costs for repairs and recovery. The study provides new insights into mitigating the impact of earthquake damage on power networks.
Researchers trained an AI to rapidly assess post-disaster building damage using convolutional neural network (CNN) technology. The model achieved accuracy rates of approximately 94% in classifying building damage levels, making it a valuable tool for crisis responders.
Researchers have discovered that seismic rumblings on the seafloor can provide a new way to monitor ocean temperatures, using existing seismic monitoring equipment and historic data. By analyzing sound waves from undersea earthquakes, they can determine changes in ocean temperature at depths normally out of reach of conventional tools.
Researchers use natural seafloor earthquakes to determine ocean temperature across vast distances and depths, overcoming previous limitations. The technique, called seismic ocean thermometry, reveals a decadal warming trend exceeding previous estimates in the East Indian Ocean.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that heavy rainfall, rather than large offshore earthquakes, triggers deep-seated landslides in the central Oregon Coast Range. Over a period of 1,000 years, they identified 2,676 landslides that occurred within the past millennium, with many triggered by heavy rainfall events.
A machine learning model has uncovered distinct statistical features marking the formative stage of slow-slip ruptures, allowing geophysicists to understand the timing of devastating faster quakes. The research suggests that slow-slip rupture may be predictable, providing an easier way to study fundamental physics.
Researchers from Northwestern University used a crowd-sourced platform to analyze seismic recordings and found that citizen scientists can classify earthquakes with 85% accuracy, outperforming machine learning algorithms. Citizen scientists also successfully identified tectonic tremors, which AI could not do previously.
A PSU study of 400 households after the 2015 Nepal earthquakes found that recovery is a dynamic process with multiple dimensions. Households with less herding and farming-based livelihoods, more market connections, and easier access to rebuilding funds were more resilient.
A new study published in Science found that COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in a 50% reduction in global seismic noise levels. The research used citizen science data from over 300 seismic stations worldwide, revealing the impact of physical distancing measures on seismology.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reduction in global seismic noise, with anthropogenic signals dropping by as much as 50% between March and May. This decrease allowed researchers to detect subtle seismic signals from subsurface sources, providing new insights into human-induced seismicity.
A team of geophysicists used the ROMY ring laser to measure the Earth's rotational velocity and axis orientation, achieving the most precise ground-based measurements yet. The instrument detected minute alterations in the Earth's rotation caused by ocean currents, ice mass shifts, and seismic events.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that the deep Earth's water cycle plays a crucial role in triggering earthquakes and tsunamis. The research, led by Dr. George Cooper, found that the amount of water released from the subducting plate is directly linked to the volcanic productivity and earthquake activity.
A study by Shinshu University researchers used input-output analysis to quantify economic damage from Japan's earthquakes. The study found that the largest earthquakes require significant economic assistance for initial production and recovery, with some requiring up to 50% of initial production until recovery.
Researchers found echoes from features deep inside Earth, revealing more widespread and heterogeneous structures at the core-mantle boundary. The study provided a new perspective on the geologic processes happening deep inside Earth, shedding light on plate tectonics and planet evolution.
Seismological studies revealed that weak rocks formed over 500 million years ago controlled the pathways of the 2016 magnitude 6.0 Petermann earthquake. The unusually long and smooth rupture was guided by these zones of weaker rocks, which can help forecast future earthquakes.
Researchers from Cardiff University have identified specific conditions along the ocean floor where tectonic plates creep past each other instead of generating catastrophic earthquakes. This discovery could help scientists better understand stress at fault lines and improve earthquake forecasting.
The Fast Loaded Dice Roller (FLDR) algorithm simulates the roll of loaded dice to produce random integers with the best combination of speed, accuracy, and low memory requirements. FLDR can use up to 10,000 times less memory storage space than existing methods.
Engineers at the University of Missouri have developed a flexible material that can help buildings withstand multiple waves of energy in earthquakes. The material, which can stretch and form to a particular surface, protects against both longitudinal and shear energy waves.
A Florida State University researcher has identified 85 previously unknown submarine landslides in the Gulf of Mexico between 2008 and 2015. These landslides pose significant risks to coastal communities and seabed infrastructure, including oil platforms and pipelines.
Researchers confirm three historic earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault in the Monterey Bay Area, occurring in 1838, 1890, and 1906, using a new model that accounts for charcoal inbuilt ages. The study uses a technique called wiggle matching to determine precise dates and recurrence intervals.
Researchers used 'Lettere Patenti' documents to calculate intensities for a 1703 earthquake sequence in central Italy, revealing that the main earthquakes were likely intensity V or VI. The study provides a more realistic view of the earthquakes' impact than historical reports, shedding new light on seismic intensity assessment.
Researchers confirm that the Earth's inner core is rotating, contradicting previous studies suggesting it was stationary. The new evidence comes from analyzing seismic data from repeating earthquakes and precise arrival time analysis.
Researchers from Germany, Chile and the US use satellite data to identify Earth's surface deformation months before massive earthquakes. This detection enables scientists to better understand precursor activity that may trigger earthquakes.
Researchers found large-scale wobbling in the Earth's surface near plate boundaries before massive Chile and Japan quakes. The study suggests that periods of enhanced tugging may accelerate the inevitable failure at shallower segments of the subduction zone, leading to great earthquakes.
Researchers found a 'wobble' in Japan's landmasses before the 2011 magnitude-9 earthquake that killed over 15,500 people. The movement, detected by GPS data, may indicate future large subduction-zone earthquakes. However, the study's findings cannot be applied to other subduction zones without comparable data.
Researchers mapped and measured fault roughness using high-resolution seismic data, finding that rougher surfaces are stronger and more resistant to earthquake slip. The study's findings may help explain why certain earthquakes are stronger than others.
Researchers developed a holistic model combining property damage estimates with community-wide economic impacts and social costs. The study found that poorer individuals experience greater losses in well-being, with a 60% loss of average annual income for those at the bottom.
Researchers found that large earthquake sequences are 'burstier' and more difficult to predict than expected, with irregular gaps between event bursts. This finding could impact seismic hazard assessment and the way we evaluate an event's likelihood of repeating soon after a large earthquake.
Researchers demonstrate the potential for using existing optical fibers as seismic sensors, providing high-resolution maps of shallow subsurface and validating a new technique. The approach has great potential for use in large earthquake-threatened cities with extensive networks of buried optical cables.
Researchers found that variations in subducting sediments can influence the magnitude and location of megathrust earthquakes. Sediment thinning caused by volcanic activity may play a key role in determining the size and distribution of these catastrophic events.
An international team of scientists has identified the conditions that lead to slow motion earthquakes by drilling down to 1km deep in water depths off New Zealand. The study revealed a unique mix of different rock types and topography that causes slow slip events, which can trigger larger earthquakes and tsunamis.
Research from a global team of scientists found that diverse rock types at New Zealand's largest fault contribute to varying earthquake types. Slow slip events and tsunami-generating tremors are linked to the unique properties of each rock type.
A major international study has shed light on the mechanisms triggering deep earthquakes up to 40km below the Earth's surface. The research suggests that interaction between creeping shear zones loads stiff rocks, causing them to snap and generate earthquakes.
Researchers found a strong 'cross-correlation' between inter-earthquake distances and times, especially after large earthquakes. The study's results could help seismologists better understand earthquake patterns and inform policymakers about disaster preparedness.
A new study analyzed temporal evolution of seismicity and growth of maximum observed moment magnitudes in various stimulation projects. The results show a clear linear relation between injected fluid volume and cumulative seismic moments for most projects, indicating that seismicity can be managed by changes in injection strategy.
A new study found that underwater mountains pulled into subduction zones can set the stage for powerful quakes and create conditions that end up dampening them. Researchers used a computer model to simulate the effects of seamounts on surrounding rock and sediment, finding that the brittle rock ahead of the seamount creates powerful ea...
A new algorithm can detect changes in gravity caused by earthquakes, potentially leading to earlier warnings and more accurate predictions. The signal is generated by the sudden shift in the earth's internal mass during an earthquake, and its detection could help identify strong earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis.
A Montana State University researcher will investigate the extent and processes of microbial life in Yellowstone's subsurface using a specialized instrument triggered by earthquakes. The research aims to bridge biology and geology to understand how Earth's natural processes influence microbial evolution.
A new technique uses seismic waves from distant earthquakes to image the subterranean structure of Cleveland volcano. The study, published in Scientific Reports, resolved the architecture of the lower and middle crust for the first time, providing crucial information for emergency planning and saving human lives.
Researchers found that upper-plate earthquakes, not subduction earthquakes, caused coastal uplift along New Zealand's Northern Hikurangi Margin. Marine terraces at two sites showed different uplift patterns, leading to the mapping of new offshore faults that may contribute to these earthquakes.