Articles tagged with Seismology
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.
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.
Researchers used seismic data to discover glacial landforms in the North Sea, indicating an ice sheet expansion about 1 million years ago, linked to global cooling. The findings provide new insights into how past ice sheets responded to climate changes.
Researchers successfully monitored turbidity currents in the Congo Canyon-Channel, recording massive flows that travelled over 1,000 kilometres at speeds of up to 7.6 metres per second. The study provided critical new data on the duration and behaviour of turbidity currents, challenging traditional models.
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.
The analysis of historical seismograms from the 1973 Chilean coup provides a unique perspective on the event. The researchers found an abrupt drop in ambient seismic noise as La Moneda was surrounded by vehicles and a radio bulletin warning people to stay at home disrupted the morning routines of locals.
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.
Researchers analyzed seismic data from southern Israel and found weak ground motions caused by Hamas forces' unusual vehicle movement. This breakthrough highlights the potential of using seismic data to provide early warnings for future terrorist activities.
Geology researchers from UTEP are partnering with Bhutanese scientists to better understand and mitigate the impact of glacial floods on rural mountain villages. The project aims to use geophysical methods to identify changes in water levels and sediment transport, potentially helping vulnerable villages create early warning systems.
Researchers propose that a fracture in oceanic crust beneath the volcano's caldera wall caused the massive January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai. A seismic wave detected 750 kilometers from the seamount may provide valuable early warning signals for impending eruptions.
A new MOF has been developed using a 'Merged-Net Strategy' inspired by skyscraper architecture, resulting in enhanced porosity and structural stability. The material exhibits superior water adsorption capacity and reusability compared to conventional MOFs.
Researchers discovered a mysterious subduction zone deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, reshaping our understanding of Earth's interior structure. The team found an unusually thick area in the mantle transition zone, suggesting the presence of colder material that slows down oceanic slabs as they sink through the mantle.
A landslide in remote Greenland caused a mega-tsunami that sloshed back and forth across a fjord for nine days, generating vibrations throughout the Earth. The study used mathematical models to recreate the event and demonstrate how the sloshing of water would have continued, matching global seismic recordings.
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.
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 novel negative-stiffness isolation device has been developed to provide multidirectional negative stiffness and energy dissipation, effectively mitigating earthquake impacts. The device's advanced design enhances seismic protection by offering a robust solution for safeguarding buildings in earthquake-prone areas.
Scientists have found that PKP precursors originate from ultra-low velocity zones in the Earth's mantle, which are likely generated by melting mid-ocean ridge basalts. These zones are not limited to hotspots, but rather spread across the core-mantle boundary beneath North America.
A large landslide triggered a megatsunami in Greenland's Dickson Fjord, causing a standing wave that sloshed back and forth for over a week. Researchers detected the unusual event using seismic signals recorded at stations worldwide.
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.
Scientists have developed a state-of-the-art computational model predicting land, ice and global sea-level interactions. The model estimates that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could slow melting Antarctic ice enough to allow Earth uplift to partially stabilize the ice sheet and prevent some future sea-level rise.
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.
A new study using NASA's InSight Lander data reveals that Mars may be getting bombarded by space rocks more frequently than previously estimated. The research team detected eight new impact craters from meteoroids not seen before, including two of the largest impacts ever recorded on the Red Planet.
Researchers estimate that between 280 to 360 meteorites strike Mars each year, forming impact craters greater than 8 meters across. The study uses seismic data from the NASA InSight Mission to make this estimate, which is five times higher than previously thought.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered that Mars experiences around 280-360 meteorite impacts per year, exceeding previous estimates. This new tool, known as a 'cosmic clock,' can help scientists date planetary surfaces across the Solar System more accurately.
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.
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.
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.
The Lunar Environment Monitoring System, developed by UMD researchers, will track seismic activity on the moon's surface during the upcoming Artemis III mission. The system's data will help prepare NASA for a long-term presence on other planetary bodies.
Researchers from Tohoku University have developed a new signal processing technique that improves particle motion analysis in the time and frequency domain. This approach enables the detection and identification of various polarized seismic waveforms, including S-waves and P-waves, with improved accuracy.
Researchers have discovered distinct characteristics of the lower mantle flow field beneath the Philippine Sea Plate. They found that ancient N-S fast velocity directions exist at depths of 700-900 km and are not related to slab subduction or a mantle plume.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that the 2014 meteor fireball's signal was not from an extraterrestrial source but likely from a truck. The team re-examined data and found that the signal matched a road near the seismometer, contradicting earlier reports of alien materials.
Researchers propose using fiber seismic networks to detect seismic waves on the Moon and provide information about its deep core structure. By analyzing artificial seismograms created from Apollo mission data, they found that a fiber network could identify specific seismic waves hidden in scattered signals.
SEIS-UK, a seismic monitoring facility at University of Leicester, has received £2 million funding over 7 years to continue providing state-of-the-art equipment to UK researchers and their global collaborators. This investment supports high-quality research in earth and environmental sciences.
Researchers have discovered large undersea faults on the Pacific Ocean floor that are pulling the Pacific Plate apart. The newly found faults, some thousands of meters deep and hundreds of kilometers long, are weakening the plate due to immense forces within it.
Researchers found a subducted oceanic slab that has completely overturned beneath the western Mediterranean. The discovery helps sort out the complicated tectonic structure of the region, where Africa and Eurasia are converging.
The EQFL measurement calculates earthquake-related fatalities as a ratio to the country's population size, revealing Ecuador, Lebanon, Haiti, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Portugal have experienced the greatest impact. Smaller countries suffer more from earthquake fatalities due to their larger proportion of their population.
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.
A team of scientists found evidence that the moon's shrinkage led to surface warping in its south polar region, including areas proposed for crewed Artemis III landings. Shallow moonquakes can devastate hypothetical human settlements on the moon due to loose sediments and unstable surface slopes.
Researchers used USGS source modeling and InSAR satellite data to analyze the 6.8 Al Haouz earthquake in Morocco, finding a compact source with slip between 15-35 km deep, deeper than expected for earthquakes in this region.
A panel of experts concluded that the November 2022 Peace River earthquake sequence in Alberta, Canada was likely induced by human activity. The study used questionnaires created to distinguish natural from induced earthquakes, and gathered data on fluid injection information and past regional seismicity.
Scientists at ETH Zurich develop a novel method to measure seismic tremors using fibre-optic networks' active noise suppression systems. The technique enables accurate earthquake measurements even on the ocean floor and in regions with limited resources.
Researchers from Ohio State University studied a past underwater landslide and developed a novel approach to analyze the risk of deadly tsunamis. They found that slide velocity may help determine the threat of dangerous waves, and their findings could improve our understanding of submarine landslides and tsunamigenic events.
Researchers propose that ancient planet Theia collided with Earth billions of years ago, forming two continent-sized blobs of unusual material and the Moon. The blobs, known as large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs), are rich in iron and likely composed of different proportions of elements than the mantle surrounding them.
A 15th-century Hebrew prayer book has revealed a previously unknown earthquake affecting the Marche region in central Italy. The note describes an intense shaking event causing severe damage and partial collapse of buildings, with epicenter similarities to a 1799 sequence.
Researchers from China University of Geosciences have clarified the extent of Greater India, a single plate of 2,000 to 3,000 km, before it subducted under Asia. This finding resolves questions surrounding the age of the collision and the emergence of geological structures in the region.
A new study by Colorado State University reveals that seismic signals show a growing intensity in ocean waves since the late 20th century, attributed to global warming. The research indicates that storms are becoming more intense and wave energy is increasing globally, posing a serious threat to coastal ecosystems and infrastructure.
GEOMAR researchers used 3D seismics to recreate the 1650 Kolumbo volcano eruption, finding that a landslide followed by an explosion created the devastating tsunami. The study provides valuable insights for monitoring submarine volcanic activity and potentially developing early warning systems.
New research reveals that endangered whales and dolphins inhabit the Hellenic Trench off Greece year-round, challenging seismic surveys and oil and gas exploration. The study confirms the presence of four species, including sperm whales, in both summer and winter, highlighting the need for conservation measures.
Researchers used seismic data to locate and identify a thin layer of molten silicates overlying Mars' metallic core. The discovery reveals a denser and smaller Martian core, aligning with other geophysical data and analysis of Martian meteorites. This finding provides new insights into how Mars formed, evolved, and became a barren planet.
Scientists discovered a molten silicate layer beneath the Martian mantle using InSight mission data, contradicting earlier assumptions about the planet's internal structure. This new finding suggests that Mars experienced an early magma ocean stage and provides insights into the formation of its core.
Researchers have created high-resolution underground images of the Long Valley Caldera, revealing a 'hardened lid' of crystallized rock covering the magma chamber. The findings suggest that the area is not gearing up for another supervolcanic eruption but may experience earthquakes and small eruptions due to cooling and gas release.
A new study demonstrates how unused telecommunications fiber optic cables can be transformed for offshore Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems. Researchers used a 50-kilometer cable to sample seismic data at 8,960 channels and achieved an approximate three-second improvement in EEW alert times compared to onshore DAS arrays.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed an AI algorithm that accurately predicted 14 earthquakes within about 200 miles of their location and strength, with only one false warning. The system detected statistical bumps in real-time seismic data and paired them with previous earthquakes to make predictions.
Researchers have found a large water reservoir beneath the ocean floor off New Zealand's North Island, which may be linked to the country's mysterious slow earthquakes. The discovery provides new insights into the correlation between fluids and tectonic fault movement, shedding light on the phenomenon of slow slip events.
Researchers have identified that ancient quakes occurred in shallow faults on the Puget Lowlands in western Washington, which could lead to another devastating event. The study used tree rings to pinpoint the dates of these quakes and found a link between them, suggesting regional hazard models may need to be updated.
A team of researchers from Japan found that water enhances energy dispersion and reduces elastic moduli in rocks, leading to increased seismic wave attenuation. The study suggests the oceanic asthenosphere must contain water, explaining sharp velocity drops and near-constant attenuation observed at the LAB.
The 1923 Kantō earthquake sparked devastating fires that killed 90% of Tokyo's population, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The study highlights the importance of fire prevention and response as part of earthquake mitigation plans for regions with strong seismic shaking and wood-framed buildings.
Researchers have created a new model using deep learning to forecast aftershocks, outperforming the current ETAS model on larger datasets. The Recurrent Earthquake foreCAST (RECAST) model demonstrates better performance and computational efficiency.
Researchers confirm fracking triggers tremors, which can be used to track fluid movement and monitor fault activity. This finding has implications for sustainability and climate science, as carbon sequestration through fracking may reduce atmospheric emissions.