Articles tagged with Earthquakes
Researchers identified a collapsed underground cavity and multiple small earthquakes after the September 2017 North Korean nuclear test, providing insights into the detection of nuclear explosions. The study's findings also shed light on seismic stress in the region and potential aftershocks.
Researchers developed a model to forecast man-made earthquake activity in Oklahoma and Kansas, incorporating earthquake physics and wastewater injection data. The model predicts a 32% probability of potentially damaging earthquakes in 2018, decreasing to 19% by 2020.
Researchers in India used GPS and satellite data to track crustal deformation around reservoirs, finding that seasonal filling can reduce the strength of nearby faults and trigger earthquakes. Even small reservoirs can cause significant deformation capable of triggering an earthquake if there are critically stressed faults in the region.
Scientists discovered that a North Korean nuclear bomb test in 2017 set off aftershocks over eight months, providing insight into the physics of nuclear explosions and how natural earthquakes can be triggered. The analysis used new methods to pinpoint the locations of the quakes with greater precision, revealing a hidden fracture.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that small earthquakes near the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults may be due to deep creep 10 km below the surface. This finding should support more refined assessments of fault loading and earthquake rupture risk in the region.
A study of injection wells reveals that they can cause earthquakes up to 6 miles away from the well site. Injecting fluids into sedimentary rock produces bigger, more distant earthquakes compared to injecting into the underlying basement rock. This challenges current recommendations for hydraulic fracturing and wastewater disposal.
A joint British-Italian team has shown that the clustering of three deadly quakes in Italy's Apennine mountains may have been caused by a cross-cutting network of underground faults. The research found that smaller faults prevented a single massive earthquake from occurring and also triggered later earthquakes.
A new study finds that sea-level rise can significantly increase the tsunami hazard, with smaller tsunamis posing greater risks due to increased flooding frequency. The study simulates tsunami inundation maps for Macau and warns of increased dangers from tsunamis in the South China Sea region.
Researchers from EPFL and ENS Paris have discovered that highly pressurized water in the vicinity of an earthquake can reduce its intensity. This finding contradicts previous theories and highlights the importance of considering fluid pressure in geothermal models to accurately predict earthquake behavior.
Researchers from the University of Houston have reported a new understanding of deep earthquakes, finding they are hosted in anisotropic rocks. This discovery explains why deep earthquakes radiate seismic energy differently than shallow ones, offering insights into the causes of these events.
The study identifies at least three tears in the Indian mantle lithosphere underthrusting the Himalayas. This model explains patterns of crustal deformation and east-west extension in southern Tibet, providing insights into the region's seismic activity.
A new model developed by Indiana University researchers estimates the likelihood of landslides triggered by earthquakes, offering potentially life-saving information to those affected. The model uses data from past earthquakes and landslides to provide fast, regional estimates of landslide occurrence.
Researchers at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences have developed a new method using fiber-optic cables to detect earthquakes and other ground movements. The technique reveals structural features in the underground with unprecedented resolution, outperforming existing seismological networks worldwide.
A Portsmouth researcher is developing a mathematical model to speed up the delivery of life-saving blood to victims of disasters, reducing blood wastage and loss of life. The model will inform venue and location for temporary blood donation centres, transportation routes, and quantities delivered.
ASU scientists found that slow earthquakes on the central section of the San Andreas Fault release energy over months, triggering large destructive quakes in their surroundings. The research suggests that seismic hazard in California varies over time and is higher than previously thought.
Researchers have developed a new approach to detect quakes by measuring optical phase changes in oceanic fiber optic cables triggered by seismic waves. This method can effectively detect quake activity and parameters, even in regions where seismic monitoring has been limited.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of accelerating activity before a 2016 earthquake in central Alaska. The study found evidence for very low-frequency earthquakes, which do not typically exhibit the usual P and S waves associated with typical earthquakes.
A study led by Drexel University's Amanda Lough has shown that East Antarctica is seismically active, contradicting the long-held assumption that its inactivity was caused by ice. The seismic array detected 27 earthquakes in 2009, tripling the total number of recorded events.
Scientists found that altering fluid injection rates near faults can reduce seismic events and magnitudes. Active pressure management may help control induced earthquakes in real-time, but more data is needed for specific site recommendations.
Researchers identified repeating seismic events at volcanoes in Costa Rica, offering insights into magma movement and gas activity. Drumbeat seismicity at Turrialba may have preceded a small eruption, while earthquakes halted repeating events at Poas by altering the stress field around the volcano.
A research team of engineers, led by Professor Camillo Nuti at Roma Tre University, investigated the Leaning Tower of Pisa's survival despite strong earthquakes. The team found that dynamic soil-structure interaction (DSSI) helped the tower survive due to its unique combination of height and foundation soil stiffness.
Researchers have detected small earthquakes caused by migrating gases in the underground, particularly in the Istanbul-Marmara region. The study found that natural gas reservoirs near tectonic disturbances can trigger weaker earthquakes as a result of gas escaping and moving upwards.
Slow slip events (SSEs) release seismic stress at a lower rate than large earthquakes, potentially triggering megathrust earthquake events. The study analyzed waveform data from beneath Kanto, Japan, and found that seismic activity varied in response to SSEs, through episodic cycles.
A mission is underway to lower sub-seafloor observatories into the Hikurangi subduction zone off New Zealand. This expedition aims to understand why destructive tsunamis occur after shallow earthquakes and underwater landslides, shedding light on New Zealand's largest earthquake and tsunami hazard.
A new report by the Seismological Society of America concludes that wastewater created during oil and gas production is the probable cause for a surge in earthquakes in southern Kansas. Between 2012 and 2016, six magnitude 4 or greater earthquakes occurred in the study area, with decreases in seismicity corresponding to decreases in di...
A comprehensive analysis of 101 major earthquakes found most aftershock activity occurred on the margins of the fault slip zone, supporting the idea that large-slip zones are unlikely to rupture again soon. Stress increases in surrounding areas.
The September 2017 earthquakes showcased the effectiveness of Mexico's SASMEX early warning system, which detected the magnitude 8.2 Tehuantepec earthquake and sent alerts to residents with almost two minutes' notice. However, improvements are needed to reduce processing times and ensure timely warnings for all residents.
A new study by the University of Bristol found that Oklahoma's seismicity is strongly linked to fluid injection depth. The team used a powerful computer model to examine the connections between injection volume, depth, and location, as well as geological features.
Scientists at Cardiff University have developed a new method to calculate tsunami size and destructive force by measuring acoustic gravity waves. The technology uses fast-moving underwater sound waves generated after tsunami trigger events, such as earthquakes, making them an ideal source of information for early warning systems.
Researchers identified specific factors causing seismic activity in Alberta's Duvernay play, finding that increased hydraulic fracturing fluid volumes in susceptible locations trigger earthquakes. The study aims to improve earthquake prediction and mitigate induced seismicity in the region.
A study published in Seismological Research Letters found no correlation between great earthquake rates and lunar phases or day of the year. Large earthquakes were matched with lunar phase and day data to rule out random patterns, and no significant effects were detected.
Researchers used new dating methods to study dynamic sediment remobilisation processes triggered by seismic activity in the Japan Trench. The methods enabled precise analysis of organic matter in individual sediment layers, revealing key findings about the history of earthquakes and the carbon cycle in the deep ocean.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers found that efforts to curb earthquakes triggered by oilfield wastewater injections are not targeting the most dangerous tremblers. To mitigate large magnitude earthquakes, a larger reduction in injection volumes is needed, according to the study.
Researchers found a correlation between saltwater disposal and earthquake occurrence up to 125 km, but reducing small faults didn't affect larger earthquakes. To reduce large fluid-triggered earthquakes, injecting less water appears to be the solution.
Research at the AGU Fall Meeting found that mistletoe lacks adaptation to conserve water during hot weather, leading to increased evaporation and potential tree death. Trees with high mistletoe levels become less healthy and can die when dry spells persist.
Scientists analyzed seismic data from Japan's Hi-net network to identify changes in subsurface conditions before and after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. These changes, including slowed seismic velocity, may signal impending earthquakes or volcanic activity.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab successfully deploy dark fiber for seismic monitoring, detecting earthquakes and changes in permafrost conditions. The technique uses distributed acoustic sensing to measure seismic waves, providing comparable results to conventional seismometers.
New study reveals that frequency and magnitude of large Himalayan earthquakes depend on tectonic plate collision rate, which controls temperature and earthquake generation areas. The team found a link between plate collisions in the Alps and Himalaya, with slower collisions increasing earthquake hazard.
Researchers have observed weak gravity signals related to earthquakes and found they are sensitive to the magnitude of quakes. These signals may aid in early identification of major earthquakes.
Recent North Texas earthquakes occurred on faults inactive for at least 300 million years, supporting the assertion they were induced by human activity. The study discriminates between natural and induced seismicity using classical structural geology analysis techniques.
Researchers suggest that the Parkfield segment of the San Andreas Fault must host occasional large earthquakes to balance its seismic moment deficit. The study found that the probability of an earthquake magnitude 6 or more is around 43% over 30 years and 96% over 200 years.
A University of Colorado Boulder study found more than 1,800 earthquakes in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico between 2008 and 2010 were likely caused by fluids pumped deep underground during oil and gas wastewater disposal. Elevated pore pressures in the basement rock underlie the Raton Basin's oldest stratified layers.
A team of researchers successfully predicted earthquakes using machine learning techniques in a laboratory setting. By analyzing acoustic signals from faults, they identified a pattern that can be used to estimate the stress on the fault and predict when an earthquake will occur.
Researchers have discovered a potential method to predict nearby strong earthquakes by analyzing deep tremors. The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, found that changes in deep tremor patterns can signal an impending earthquake.
Researchers used dense seismograph network to map near-surface geology around Old Faithful, discovering a reservoir of heated water that fuels the geyser. The study also reveals how ground shaking behaves between eruptions and finds an underground feature affecting seismic waves in a specific area.
The Human-Induced Earthquake Database has grown to over 730 entries, revealing that mining projects and water impounded behind dams are the most common causes of induced earthquakes. Unconventional oil and gas extraction using hydraulic fracturing is also a frequent contributor, according to geophysicist Miles Wilson.
A comprehensive study of faults in the Olympic Mountains reveals three to five large earthquakes occurred within the last 13,000 years. The two most recent earthquakes are estimated to be magnitude 7 and 6-7 respectively, posing a significant threat to Seattle and other population centers.
A new analysis published in Science Advances found that the probability of moderate earthquakes in Oklahoma is two times higher than initially predicted, contradicting earlier predictions of reduced seismic activity. Moderate earthquakes continue to pose a significant hazard in central and western Oklahoma.
Scientists have found that human-induced and natural earthquakes in the central US share similar ground motions, allowing existing prediction frameworks to be applied to both types. This simplifies hazard assessment and could lead to improved building design and infrastructure resilience.
Researchers found that human-induced and naturally occurring earthquakes in the central US share the same shaking potential, causing similar damage. The study used seismic data from 39 earthquakes, concluding that stress drop values of induced and natural earthquakes are identical.
Researchers found near-continuous tremor activity and 1,300 low-frequency earthquakes in the region, suggesting a connection to damaging earthquakes. The study used a novel 'beam back projection' method to track slow earthquakes minute-by-minute, revealing clusters of tremor sources with distinct properties.
UMass Amherst researchers investigate strike-slip faults, revealing the 'Lazy Earth' hypothesis, where faults evolve to optimize energy transformation. The study identifies four stages in fault evolution: pre-faulting, localization, linkage, and slip, with irregularities persisting along mature faults.
Researchers discover evidence of three past earthquakes in the area, one potentially magnitude 6 or greater, indicating active faulting and strong seismic activity. The study suggests that large earthquakes may have occurred in the late Pleistocene era during the last North American ice age.
Researchers studying slow-slip earthquakes on the seafloor off Japan's coast have gained new insights into undersea earthquakes and tsunami creation. About 50% of energy released during these events can be dissipated, potentially reducing tsunami risk.
Researchers found that 50% of energy is released in slow earthquakes, reducing tsunami risk, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. The study used data from instruments placed on the seafloor and in boreholes east of Japan's coast to understand slow-slip earthquakes and their impact on large earthquakes and tsunamis.
Researchers found that seasonal stress changes, caused by winter rains and summer rebound, lead to an increase in small earthquakes along California faults. The study used regional global positioning system data to calculate stresses due to water loads, revealing a correlation between peak stress and seismicity.
Researchers estimate that the next major earthquake in Istanbul will originate from the Eastern Marmara Sea due to a build-up of energy from entangled tectonic plates. This could lead to a shorter early warning period, but potentially less severe ground shaking than expected.
Researchers at UCL and the Vesuvius Observatory used a new model to investigate Campi Flegrei's unrest, finding a build-up of energy that makes the volcano more susceptible to eruption. The study suggests an increased possibility of eruption in the near future.
Researchers used deep geophysical exploration and seismic tomography to study the deep tectonic environment of strong earthquakes in North China. Key findings include a complex tectonic setting with a listric normal fault and high-angle deep fault, and a low-velocity anomaly in the middle-lower crust
Researchers from Caltech discovered that fast ruptures along thrust faults can cause one side of the fault to twist away from the other, opening a gap that then snaps shut. This mechanism has the potential to change our understanding of how tsunamis are generated.