Articles tagged with Seismology
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.
University of Missouri-Columbia researchers are awarded $2.16 million to investigate the cause of intraplate earthquakes in North China and the New Madrid area. The multi-institutional study aims to improve understanding of these rare and destructive earthquakes.
A CU-Boulder-led study suggests that a 2006 tectonic plate motion reversal near Acapulco did not ease seismic strain in the region. Instead, it sped up by four times, making a major earthquake less likely, according to Professor Kristine Larson.
Researchers developed a data-driven computational approach to analyze seismic data and discover unique patterns of gene expression. The technique, which combines inverse scattering and modern statistics, allows for the automatic generation of an appropriate model from raw data.
A new mooring system has been installed on top of Kick'em Jenny, a submarine volcano, allowing for real-time data collection and transmission. This will improve researchers' ability to detect precursory activity before an eruption takes place.
Scientists have discovered that earthquake-induced gravity field changes can slowly recover to initial conditions, possibly due to simultaneous diffusion of mantle water. This self-healing system could significantly reduce permanent shifts in the Earth's rotation axis by earthquakes. Meanwhile, recent trends in Arctic Ocean mass distri...
The Seismological Society of America honors MIT's M. Nafi Toksoz for his 40-year investment in the field, defining seismology and its practice. He has mentored over 100 postdoctoral students, promoting a research environment at MIT.
Five UH geosciences professors are recognized for their outstanding achievements in various fields of study. Janok Bhattacharya receives the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award, while Aibing Li receives a $450,000 NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award supporting research and education integration. Fred Hilterman...
Researchers at the University of Nevada used precariously balanced rocks to test seismic hazard predictions, measuring forces and angles to determine when an earthquake has not occurred for a long time. The study provides important information on seismic hazards in areas throughout the West, including data on ground-motion probability ...
Researchers from TU Delft have successfully applied seismic interferometry to extract information from seismic noise, which can be used to search for new oil fields. The method has shown promising results in a desert in the Middle East.
Geologists use seismic waves to locate missing rock under Tibet, clarifying how continents behave when they collide. The research helps solve a long-standing mystery and provides key evidence for understanding the full dynamics of continental collision.
Scientists discover that seismic data cannot reliably map boundaries between rock units in young oceanic crust, altering views on new crust formation and life deep below the seafloor. Despite this limitation, seismic data holds keys to understanding fluid circulation and subsurface biosphere.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology and the Colorado School of Mines have developed a unified theory to extract meaningful signals from acoustic noise. This theory enables the determination of parameters in flowing media, viscous media, and electrokinetic coupling parameters of porous reservoir rock.
Scientists explore factors that pulled Earth out of its 'Snowball Earth' state and study seismic wave speed in the lower mantle. Researchers also investigate water vapor in Saturn's upper atmosphere using Cassini radio occultation data.
Researchers captured an unprecedented view of an underwater volcanic eruption using instruments on the seafloor. The discovery revealed new information about the geological and biological processes at play in deep-sea environments.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the structure of Earth's core-mantle boundary, including a post-perovskite lens and temperature measurements that shed light on heat flow deep within the planet. The findings have implications for understanding the age of Earth's solid inner core and its magnetic field.
The study ranked top 10 states based on seismic activity, with Nevada ranking third, behind Hawaii and Alaska. The rankings were determined by analyzing earthquake data from 1898 to 2005, including data from the USGS catalog of significant U.S. earthquakes from 1568-1989.
Two studies show that land surface evaporation increased during the second half of the 20th century. Researchers also found a more stable geomagnetic field with greater symmetry, while a third study analyzed the October 2005 Pakistan earthquake and found shallow slip with structural control.
A team of researchers found that earthquake swarms can occur anywhere with seismic activity, challenging the long-held assumption that they are only linked to volcanic and geothermal zones. The study suggests that swarminess in these areas may be driven by hot water or magma pushing fault seams apart.
A severe storm in the Gulf of Alaska generated an ocean swell that broke apart a giant iceberg floating near the coast of Antarctica, more than 8,300 miles away. The research team discovered that the iceberg had moved due to sea swell, and their findings raise the possibility that global warming could affect far-flung parts of the globe.
Scientists propose using GPS to aid in ocean-wide tsunami warning systems by detecting early seismic wave data. Researchers also explore unsolved problems in the lowermost mantle, including the origin of the D
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are testing a new damping system to reduce damage in woodframe structures during earthquakes. The NEESWood project uses fluid-filled shock absorbers to absorb energy and reduce strain on the structure, mimicking the effect of shock absorbers in cars.
Researchers found that the amplitude of shaking directly affects the chance of an aftershock, following an inverse power law relation. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that aftershocks are triggered by static stress resulting from crust movement.
A new project led by Georgia Tech aims to develop strategies to help ports manage seismic risk more effectively. The team will evaluate methods of preventing damage using large-scale tests and investigate applying similar approaches to managing risks from other natural hazards.
Researchers suggest that the subduction of the northern portion of the Juan de Fuca plate beneath the North American plate may be slowing and eventually cease, potentially altering the seismic hazard profile of the region. The discovery was made using advanced technology and data from formerly classified U.S. Navy hydrophones.
A recent study found that promoting both earthquake safety and economic development is possible for small towns in the Midwest. Researchers recommend tearing down old buildings as new ones are constructed and adding land to boost safety, leading to improved community safety and economic growth.
Researchers revisited the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to resolve a discrepancy between seismic and geodetic models. The new model suggests that the rupture propagated at 'supershear' speed, resulting in an earthquake of shorter duration.
John Castagna's developed an algorithm to predict seismic-wave velocities for direct hydrocarbon indicator analysis, detecting oil and gas reservoirs more effectively. This advancement enables explorers to locate hydrocarbon discoveries with higher accuracy, reducing the need for costly drilling operations.
The Eastern California Shear Zone, a wide area in western Nevada, puzzles seismologists due to its unexplained northern end. This zone makes up 25% of the North American Plate's movement and has been displacing 50 kilometers over 5-6 million years.
Researchers at Ohio State University are developing a software system to let supercomputers share workload and analyze large amounts of data. This enables faster simulation speeds and improved accuracy in predicting oilfield output, reducing the need for simplification of computer models.
Researchers used reflected seismic waves to image the structure of the lower crust, finding evidence of multiple magma sills forming at different levels. The study suggests that the base of the oceanic crust is formed from several smaller sources of magma rather than a single large pool.
Scientists captured T waves from the Sumatra earthquake using underwater microphones at Diego Garcia, providing a direct look at the entirety of the large underwater event. The study reveals two phases: faster rupture to the south and slower to the north, with implications for tsunami risk and emergency relief.
Researchers uncover stories from native peoples describing seismic activity, shaking, and flooding, linking them to major earthquakes and tsunamis in the Cascadia subduction zone. Ancient artifacts and geological evidence support these findings, shedding light on the region's seismic history.
Researchers use geophones to estimate elephant numbers by detecting footfalls, providing a more accurate and time-efficient method than counting dung balls or aerial censuses. The new technique has the potential to improve conservation management and reserve planning in central Africa.
Scientists developed a new method to image the earth's rupture during the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean earthquake, providing a fresh perspective on the massive event. The technique uses first-arriving seismic waves to create detailed images in under 30 minutes, which could be used for public-warning and tsunami-alert systems.
The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the earthquakes, including the longest fault rupture and duration of faulting, as well as the seismic waves that traveled around the globe. The researchers also found that the earthquake caused the planet to vibrate with 'free oscillations,' like the ringing of a bell.
Researchers estimated that the quake caused a massive 5-20 meter displacement along the 1,300-kilometer fault, leading to significant rearrangement of the Earth's surface. The tremors triggered devastating tsunamis killing over 300,000 people across Southeast Asia.
Scientists led by Professor Jeffrey J. Park have detected the natural tones from seismograms after the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, providing information on Earth's deep mantle and core. The data supports a model of the earthquake that lasted about 10 minutes, with massive slabs of rock moving over 800 miles.
Researchers used various models to recreate the rupture history and variation along the fault, revealing the earthquake's length, epicenter, and speed. The study provided valuable insights into one of the largest earthquakes recorded on modern equipment.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have developed a new method to calculate the probability of the San Andreas fault rupturing again within the next 30 years. The study suggests that there is a 20-70% chance of a large quake shaking southern California.
The Global Seismographic Network can track seismic signals in real-time, allowing researchers to compile and interpret information about potential hazards sooner. The network's unparalleled detail enables scientists to quickly determine the magnitude and location of an event in near real-time.
The simulation reveals how tsunamis strike coastlines with devastating force, deforming sea water and affecting the earth's surface. The Cornell Multigrid Coupled Tsunami model, or COMCOT, calculates sea surface elevation based on earthquake data and topography.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno developed a model that estimates the impact of a large earthquake in Los Angeles by studying an earthquake in Kern County. The study found that the hanging-wall side of thrust-fault earthquakes experiences more extreme motion and damage than the footwall side.
Penn State researchers are conducting a project to develop a technique for detecting mine voids using seismic signals. The initiative aims to locate and record voids near existing coal mine tunnels, which could help prevent flooding incidents like the Quecreek disaster.
Fred Hilterman, a UH geophysics professor, is being honored with the Cecil Green Enterprise Award for his innovations and dedication in advancing geosciences. He co-founded the Geophysical Development Corporation (GDC), which integrated petrophysical and seismic data, and developed AVO technology to determine the earth's composition.
A team of seismologists at Arizona State University has discovered a highly active region beneath Earth's surface, where the mantle meets the liquid iron core. The study found unusual layering in the deep interior, which may hold clues about how the interior churns and convects.
The Alpine fault begins as a single fault, unlike most other strike slip faults which form from multiple small faults. It exhibits significant seismicity at the southern and northern ends but is relatively aseptic in the central portion.
Researchers found evidence of ancient seismic stresses still at work in Washington state's Puget Sound region, including surface folds and deformation of the Seattle uplift. The study provides greater understanding of the region's tectonic stresses and geological processes.
Research papers in Geophysical Research Letters and Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres have shed light on various atmospheric phenomena. Brown et al.'s study found near-equal rates of nitric acid formation during day and night, while Chatfield et al. attribute seasonal ozone density over the South Atlantic to pollution sources...
The web-based program calculates thermal radiation, seismic shaking, ejecta deposition, and air-blast effects based on user input distance from impact site. It provides detailed descriptions of damage severity, including ignition times for grass and wood, shaking intensity levels, and debris particle sizes.
The new system uses high-frequency seismic waves to detect buried mines, distinguishing them from soil and ground clutter. Researchers have demonstrated its advantage in laboratory and limited field tests, with promising results at government testing facilities.
A recent catastrophic landslide on Kilauea has created a debris buffer that stabilizes the Hilina slump, reducing the likelihood of future collapse. The buffer was formed when a detached piece of the mountain slid away and settled beneath the ocean, creating a broad, bench-like structure.
Scientists mapped locked zones on the Cascadia megathrust, revealing a 56-mile swath of land faces a greater threat from earthquakes than previously thought. Another major earthquake is expected within the next 200 to 800 years, putting rapidly growing inland cities at risk.
Scientists have developed a new adaptation of seismic reflection profiling to create detailed pictures of oceanic features, including eddies and internal waves. This technique has the potential to improve our understanding of ocean mixing and its role in climate modeling.
Researchers chart seismic effects on water levels to better understand the impact of earthquakes on hydrology. The study found that wells and aquifers respond differently to earthquakes than surface water, with effects recorded at greater distances.
Researchers used GPS receivers to detect seismic waves from a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Alaska and measure their impact on the US and Canada, revealing large surface displacements. The study showcases the versatility of GPS technology for tracking seismic activity and monitoring natural disasters.
Researchers at Columbia University suggest that ancient faults in the Wabash Valley Fault System may be re-activated, causing recent earthquakes. The study analyzed seismic data from a June 2002 earthquake and found evidence of strike-slip faulting on a near-vertical fault plane at 18 km depth.