Articles tagged with Seismology
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Scientists discovered that aseismic slip in the Nazca tectonic plate can prevent earthquakes from propagating through certain areas. By analyzing GPS data and aftershock patterns, researchers found a 'patchwork' pattern of aseismicity, with some areas always slipping slowly and others rarely experiencing seismic activity.
The USGS is providing $7 million in funding for earthquake monitoring to support the development of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). This initiative will enhance the country's ability to detect and respond to earthquakes, ultimately saving lives and reducing economic losses.
Art Frankel led a team to update national seismic hazard maps, vastly improving public policy and building codes across the US. The new maps were used directly in building codes, enhancing earthquake safety nationwide.
David Boore developed a well-known method for computing estimates of ground motion from simulated earthquakes, known as SMSIM. His work has advanced understanding of strong-motion seismology and influenced seismic building standards worldwide.
Richards' work on deep-Earth research led to a better understanding of the Earth's inner-core rotation and the detection of seismic waves. He also applied seismological methods to study nuclear weapon test explosions and their implications in politics and science.
A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor and his team are monitoring aftershocks in Chile following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake on Feb. 27. The 10-member team installed over 50 broadband seismometers to record seismic activity along a 500-kilometer zone, providing valuable data for understanding the earthquake's impact.
Researchers found a plausible cause for small earthquakes in North Texas linked to the operation of a saltwater injection disposal well. The study suggests that fluid injection may have affected tectonic stress, reactivating faults and generating quakes.
Scientists are using infrasound to monitor volcanoes in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth, for early warning of eruptions that could threaten passenger airlines and cargo ships. The technology aims to discriminate between different eruptive styles, improving alert systems for volcanic ash clouds.
A new study by an international team has used seafloor seismometers to image the Hawaiian mantle, revealing a high-temperature plume from the lower mantle. The findings suggest that the Hawaiian hot spot is the result of this upwelling plume, which tilts southeastward as it extends downward.
Seismic images of a mantle plume extending to depths of at least 1,500 kilometers reveal the roots of Hawaii's volcanic hotspot. The PLUME project provides high-resolution seismic images of the structure beneath the island of Hawaii.
Researchers have observed dynamic upwelling in the underlying mantle beneath a spreading center, leading to new crust formation. This finding resolves a long-standing debate regarding the relative importance of passive and dynamic upwelling in oceanic crust creation.
Scientists are concerned about the buildup of carbon dioxide and methane gas in Lake Kivu, which could lead to a catastrophic explosion. The lake's unique combination of geological features and lack of circulation makes it vulnerable to disturbances, posing a threat to the approximately 2 million people living nearby.
Researchers aim to correlate seismic activity with glacier slip using pump tests and measurements of natural seismicity. The projects focus on stability of ice stream grounding zones and role of active subglacial lakes in ice sheet loss.
The UCLA center will continue to serve as a key site for the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), facilitating cutting-edge research on seismic vulnerability and disaster preparedness. The center's state-of-the-art mobile field laboratory will enable researchers to test full-scale specimens under re...
A 2004 Sumatran earthquake may have weakened a portion of California's San Andreas Fault, changing its fault strength and potentially triggering increased global seismic activity. The study, published in Nature, examined seismic records from Parkfield, Calif., and found repeated microearthquakes occurred near the fault
Researchers investigate strange river behavior in Arizona, attributing it to ancient tectonic extension. In another paper, scientists study active low-angle normal faults in Mexico, resolving a long-standing controversy on their existence.
A team of researchers will conduct the largest earthquake simulation on a wooden structure, exposing a seven-story building to forces of an ancient earthquake. The goal is to develop new design approaches for stronger and safer wooden buildings.
The Deepsea Drilling Vessel CHIKYU has begun riser-drilling operations in the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone, targeting a depth of 1,600 meters. This marks a significant milestone in ocean drilling, as CHIKYU becomes the first vessel capable of drilling deep beneath the ocean floor and in seismogenic zones.
The University of Nevada, Reno's Seismological Lab is conducting a seismic survey through downtown Reno to create an earthquake hazard map. The team, led by Professor John Louie, is using industry techniques to map suspected faults and confirm previous findings.
A new study evaluates expected ground motion in Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver from earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 - 9.0, providing a tool to build or retrofit structures to withstand seismic waves. Ground motions are estimated for firm ground at the three sites, with a model that engineers can adjust for local soil conditions.
A UT Knoxville-led research project is exploring the East Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ) to better understand seismic activity and its impact on future earthquakes. The study aims to provide new information on past quakes and inform the planning of new large engineered structures.
Studies investigate the relationship between mantle cooling, crustal thickness, and sea-level rise. Researchers also explore the impact of tectonic stretching on fault formation and the behavior of Earth's plates.
The BSSA special issue on rotational seismology discusses research on rotational ground motions, including theory, instrumentation, observation, and interpretation. Rotational effects from earthquakes have been observed for centuries, but were ignored due to practical difficulties in measuring them.
Recent observations from the USArray transportable array and EarthScope instruments have shed new light on seismic wave propagation and the evolution of the Yellowstone hotspot. The analysis suggests a common mantle source for the region's unique topographic features, providing valuable insights into geological processes.
A giant Cascadian earthquake could cause severe damage and possible collapse in Seattle's high-rise buildings, particularly those constructed before 1994 building code changes. The Seattle basin amplifies long-period motions, making tall steel buildings susceptible to low-frequency shaking.
A massive earthquake swarm in Yellowstone National Park was analyzed by SSA researchers, revealing epicenter migration and sudden depth changes. The study suggests that hydrothermal fluids may be responsible for the swarm's source properties.
Researchers are re-evaluating earthquake potential in the Central Coast region, a high-risk area with significant population growth. Fresh data from multiple datasets will focus on faults including the Hosgri Fault Zone and highlight newly identified features such as a linear trend of seismicity and magnetic anomalies.
A University of Nevada, Reno alumna's innovative straw bale house design survived a 200% increase in acceleration than the 1994 Northridge quake. The structure, built using locally sourced materials and labor, demonstrated exceptional seismic performance, surpassing estimates for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
Scientists investigate possible tectonic cycling of serpentized peridotites in the Mariana forearc, connect Saddle Mountain and Seattle faults, and improve fractured carbonate-reservoir characterization with remote sensing. Seismic reflection profiles also define Grenville-age rift system and foreland basins beneath Phanerozoic sediments.
Researchers at the University of Utah developed a new method to locate trapped miners in collapsed mines by installing seismic listening devices on the ground. The system uses unique 'fingerprints' generated by miners banging on iron plates to pinpoint their location, showing promising results in tests.
Dr. Manik Talwani, president of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International (IODP-MI), has been awarded the German Medal of Honor in geophysics. He was recognized for his work on gravity measurements, particularly on the moon, and his contributions to ocean drilling research.
The newly-laid MARS cable enables the use of MOBB's broadband seismometer data in real-time with other land-based stations to determine earthquake locations and mechanisms. This improvement aims to enhance understanding of the San Andreas fault system and provide early warnings for ground shaking.
A new study from Purdue and Northwestern universities suggests the New Madrid fault system is less active than expected, with reduced surface movement indicating a possible shutdown. The team analyzed GPS data for eight years, finding the ground surrounding the fault system is moving at a rate of less than 0.2 millimeters per year.
Archuleta's research challenged long-held beliefs and prompted new research, leading to a better understanding of earthquake physics and hazards. He has also made significant contributions as a leader in the seismological community, including serving as president of the Seismological Society of America.
David Wald's work has advanced seismic data analysis, enabling efficient dissemination of earthquake information to first responders and the public. His programs, such as ShakeMap and 'Did You Feel It?', have become invaluable tools in humanitarian disasters.
Research reveals that elephants rely on bone conduction to detect seismic signals in estrus calls, allowing them to triangulate the source with greater accuracy. This method is more effective than somatosensory reception, which involves vibration-sensitive cells in the foot.
A team of Danish researchers has discovered the origin of the Baikal Rift Zone, a 2000km long crack in the Earth's crust that created the world's deepest lake. The study shows that the bottom of the crust is flat across Lake Baikal, contrary to previous models, and is instead thinning due to magma intrusion.
A team of researchers used seismic waves to create CAT-scan-like images of the Soufriere Hills Volcano's internal structure. The study found an elongated magma chamber that fills with magma, causing it to decompress and resulting in greater eruptions than expected.
A Caltech-led team found that the subduction zone in Sumatra has not released enough strain from recent earthquakes, increasing the likelihood of another large event. The researchers analyzed seismological records and data gathered by GPS stations to determine that only a quarter of the accumulated stress was released.
This October GEOSPHERE issue investigates the uplift of Southern Rocky Mountains, Himalayan kinematics, and fault geometry in the New Madrid seismic zone. The study also explores magmatic mosaics and volcanic processes in Mexico City's surroundings.
Researchers from UC San Diego and the University of Arizona conducted three months of rigorous earthquake simulation tests on a half-scale three-story structure, producing powerful jolts up to magnitude 8.0. The project aims to develop better designs for precast concrete buildings and improve their connections to resist earthquakes.
A linear string of mud pots and volcanoes indicates a surface evidence for the southern extension of the San Andreas Fault. Researchers identified 33 geothermal features forming a clear pattern, revealing a planar rift extending to considerable depth in the crust.
Researchers used topographic analysis to identify active faults in the Sichuan earthquake, which can help refine existing maps of earthquake risk. This approach can shed light on blind and hidden faults in remote mountainous areas.
Researchers detected minute geological changes that preceded small earthquakes along California's San Andreas Fault by up to 10 hours using new instruments. The findings suggest a fundamentally different approach to current earthquake warning systems.
A new analysis of the devastating May 12 earthquake in China found that it resulted from faults with little seismic activity. The quake occurred at a boundary between two tectonic plates and was caused by the obstruction of rapidly flowing crustal material, leading to a simultaneous rupture of two separate but contiguous faults.
Researchers discovered that an Antarctic ice stream radiates seismic waves, similar to earthquakes, due to the 'stick-slip' phenomenon. The ice stream moves about 18 inches within ten minutes, producing two bursts of seismic waves per day.
Numerical earthquake models are providing a means to understand physical processes and predict earthquakes, reducing damage and loss of life. Simulations show that surface-rupturing earthquakes absorb more seismic energy than buried ones, resulting in less ground shaking.
A fatal mine collapse in Utah's Crandall Canyon coal mine was actually a massive cave-in that covered an area of approximately 50 acres. New calculations reveal the disaster began near where miners were excavating and quickly grew to four times its initially estimated size.
A new geomorphological index has been created to study active tectonics in mountains, identifying four classes of activity and using six geomorphological indicators. The index is based on land forms and direct evidence of active faults, with applications in regions like southern Spain where studies are not widely distributed.
A team of international scientists mapped and analyzed geologically young faults in Sichuan Province, finding clear evidence of slip during the last few thousands of years. The faults showed rates of slip varying between fractions of mm per year to possibly many mm per year.
Researchers have compared historical monitoring data with actual records from the test site to refine nuclear explosion detection methods. The study reveals that today's techniques can detect nuclear tests with high accuracy, thanks to improved monitoring experience gained from past efforts.
A study suggests seismic hazard maps for New Madrid and Charleston zones may be less dire than current predictions, as a new model assumes earthquakes are less likely to occur immediately after a major quake. The 'time-dependent' model sheds light on assumptions in hazard mapping, which affect building codes and preparations.
Researchers investigate the mechanisms of historic tsunamis, finding that an underwater landslide triggered the 1908 Messina tsunami. Additionally, a study reveals that particle formation in the lower atmosphere fuels clouds by providing condensation nuclei.
A network of seismic instruments has been placed around Panama's Baru Volcano to help detect eruptions and mitigate danger. The Panamanian government funded the instrumentation, completed by the University of Panama's Department of Geosciences, in response to a joint study that revealed the volcano's potential for future eruptions.
Researchers from Uppsala University found that the body-centered cubic crystal structure of iron in the inner core explains seismic wave patterns. This discovery may impact our understanding of the earth's heat balance and magnetic field stability, opening new perspectives for studying the earth's past, present, and future.
Jacobo Bielak has been awarded $1.6 million from the NSF PetaApps program to develop advanced earthquake computer simulations that can improve disaster planning and preparation. The new grant will enable the creation of three-dimensional models simulating how earthquakes impact buildings, bridges, and other critical urban infrastructures.
Scientists have discovered that sound waves can trigger earthquakes in a laboratory setting, inducing aftershocks long after the initial quake. This finding has significant implications for understanding earthquake behavior and may provide clues to catastrophic events in other granular media.
A Washington University team led by Douglas A. Wiens will install seismographs in east and west Antarctica to study the earth beneath the ice. The region has never been visited by humans before, but research may reveal information about glaciers, mountains, and ice streams.
Arizona State University faculty members Matthew J. Fouch and Jenefer Husman received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for their innovative research in geophysics and educational psychology. The award recognizes their work on integrating geophysical data types to better understand Earth's interior.
Researchers identify correlation between 3D basin geometry and observed shaking in previous earthquakes, leading to improved construction and seismic hazard assessments. A new tool for evaluating site conditions is also proposed, which could aid in risk assessment for earthquake-prone regions worldwide.