Articles tagged with Seismology
Sediment cores suggest 15m of megathrust slip occurred offshore during the massive 1700 Cascadia earthquake, leading to 1m+ coastal subsidence. This finding will refine seismologists' understanding of this event and constrain coastline impact predictions.
The Urban Seismology Project successfully installed a geophone array in Yangon, Myanmar despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aimed to build geophysics capacity in the nation and monitored a potentially locked subduction zone and major strike-slip fault.
Researchers identify magma intrusion as cause of 85,000-quake swarm in Antarctica, largest ever recorded. The swarm peaked with two large earthquakes before subsiding, marking the end of a sustained magmatic unrest.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have identified a unique sound signature produced by rocks as they crack and break. This discovery was made using a combination of supervised machine learning, causal discovery, and rapid simulations. The team found that an unusual pattern of positive and negative measurements in sound wave-transmiss...
Researchers used teleseismic P waveform data to estimate rupture process and fault geometry simultaneously, identifying an irregular rupture sequence with diverse geometries. This approach mitigates potential modeling errors, providing a better understanding of complex fault systems.
Scientists discovered that earthquakes influence tectonic plate movement, altering frequency and patterns of quakes. This finding suggests improved earthquake risk models can be developed by incorporating feedback mechanisms after an earthquake.
Researchers at Cornell University have reevaluated earthquake models, discovering that fracture energy relates to how quakes stop rather than fault weakening. This breakthrough may help improve earthquake forecasting by understanding rupture styles and the role of seismic observations.
A new study of rocks from nearly 2 miles under the surface suggests that the San Andreas fault's central section has hosted many major earthquakes, including some that could have been fairly recent. The researchers found altered compositions in sedimentary rock, indicating more than 100 quakes with potential magnitudes over 6.9.
A recent seismic study reveals that Patagonia is rising as glaciers melt due to a gap in the tectonic plate under the region. The study found low seismic velocity and a thinning of the lithosphere above the gap, which is driving rapid uplift.
Researchers created a 3D tectonic model combining geological, geophysical and satellite data to resolve timescales between earthquakes and mountain range formation. The study reveals that most uplift occurs in the period between earthquakes, improving local seismic hazard maps.
University of Utah researchers measured 14 rock towers in Utah to predict their seismic stability. They used mathematics that describe built structures' resonance to create a dataset, allowing for predictions without climbing the towers.
Researchers analyzed the 2018-2019 Bungo Channel slow slip event to gain insight into megathrust earthquake behavior. Despite its short duration, this event was larger in terms of slippage amount and slip velocity compared to past events, providing valuable information for predicting future earthquakes.
A recent study by USGS and UPR Mayagüez researchers documented over 300 landslides and severe liquefaction in southern coastal regions after the magnitude 6.4 earthquake. The data provides a valuable resource for Puerto Rico, which lacks an island-wide hazard map for earthquake-triggered landslides or liquefaction.
Researchers identified a hidden magnitude-8.2 earthquake as the trigger for the worldwide tsunami, which was buried within complex seismic waves. The study reveals the importance of accurately characterizing big earthquakes to mitigate tsunami hazards.
Researchers used big data imaging to visualize the entire subterranean formation and its effect on regional tectonics. The findings provide critical information for predicting near-future earthquake processes.
The 2018 Anak Krakatau volcano collapse in Indonesia was triggered by long-term destabilization, not a sudden explosive eruption. The study found that the disaster was less likely to have been caused by magma forcing its way to the surface and triggering the landslide.
New research suggests that ultra-low velocity zones in the deep mantle may be regions made of different rocks than the rest of the mantle, with compositions potentially linked to the early Earth. The study's findings imply the presence of layered structures within these zones, shedding light on their origin and evolution.
Researchers have discovered that the Matterhorn sways at a frequency of 0.42 Hertz, oscillating roughly in a north-south direction, with similar frequencies in an east-west direction. The mountain's summit experiences amplified vibrations up to 14 times stronger than the reference station at its base.
The Matterhorn oscillates at two frequencies, with movements up to 14 times stronger at the summit than at the foot. Researchers detected these subtle vibrations using seismometers, which are also found in bridges and high-rise buildings, revealing a broader phenomenon.
Researchers discovered a connection between earthquake characteristics and tsunami size, finding that shallow rupture can produce larger tsunamis. This study suggests reevaluating the use of earthquake magnitude in estimating tsunami threats.
Researchers deployed a seismic array in unused telecom fiber optic cable to detect dozens of aftershocks missed by permanent stations after a magnitude 5.1 earthquake in Tangshan, China. The findings demonstrate how 'dark fiber' can be used for ultra-dense seismic monitoring in urban areas.
A large earthquake off the coast of south-central Chile in 1737 may have caused a substantial tsunami that was absent from historical records. Researchers analyzed sediments and found evidence of widespread sandy layers, dating to the same time as the earthquake, similar to deposits made by tsunami waves in other areas.
Researchers have documented a new type of slow earthquake in British Columbia, Canada, triggered by hydraulic fracturing. The events exhibit unique features suggesting they rupture more slowly than conventional earthquakes, challenging the current understanding of induced earthquakes.
Researchers analyze new seismic data from the Mars InSight mission to plan for future planetary seismographs. The findings provide insights into Martian seismic activity, signal processing, and instrument operation, paving the way for upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter's moon Titan.
A team of Chinese scholars used deep seismic reflection profiling to uncover the fine details of continental collision, solving a decades-long mystery. The study found four key points: northward subduction, a crustal-scale vertical collision, and southward subduction under the Qilian Mountains.
Researchers analyzed seismic data to uncover the composition of Elysium Planitia's shallow subsurface, revealing a regolith layer and basaltic rocks. The findings provide insights into Mars' geological history and properties that will inform future landed missions.
A research team analyzed seismic noise recorded over the last decade to better understand volcanic processes at Campi Flegrei. They found that directionality loss in noise data indicates the migration of deep fluids towards the eastern caldera, which triggers earthquakes.
The research team developed a technology for remotely assessing the condition of a building during an earthquake based on the readings from the building's seismometer. The new method uses CNN machine learning to quickly assess damage levels and determine if a building can continue to be used.
Scientists discovered that low-frequency energy from earthquakes travels in a four-leaf clover pattern near the fault, while higher frequency waves travel in all directions. This finding could improve building designs and mitigate earthquake damage by prioritizing vulnerable areas within the pattern.
Researchers using satellite geodesy and InSAR imagery found the Arabian side of the Dead Sea Transform fault has been moving steadily northwards at around five millimeters per year. The studies suggest that large earthquakes may be less frequent near the southern end of the Gulf, but more investigations are needed for a resilient city.
Researchers found that high water content in magma can reduce the risk of an explosive eruption. The study suggests combining different metrics to predict gas bubbles and crystallization, potentially leading to better forecasts for dangerous explosions.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new, low-cost seismic monitoring system that can detect changes in pore pressure with greater than 99.99% accuracy. The system uses a small seismic source and distributed acoustic sensing technology to monitor subsurface formations over an extensive area at a relatively low cost.
Researchers create novel approach to map stress orientation in the Earth's crust using nonlinear elastic behavior and rock properties. This technique provides valuable insights into continental regions with limited historical geologic information.
Scientists have discovered a heterogeneous structure in the Earth's inner core, with adjacent regions of hard, soft, and liquid iron alloys. This finding challenges traditional models of the planet's magnetic field generation and provides new insights into the dynamics at the boundary between the inner and outer core.
Researchers from GFZ and NGRI used seismic data to identify three phases of a catastrophic flood, including rockslide and debris flow. The study found that seismic networks can be used to warn of impending flash floods, with available warning times varying by distance and speed.
Researchers used extensive 2D and 3D broadband seismic reflection data to visualize and understand the subsurface structures of the Orphan Basin. The study provides context for future assessments of source rock, reservoir, and seal strata in oil and gas exploration.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory calculated moment tensors for 130 underground nuclear and 10 chemical tests to aid explosion monitoring. The study's database of carefully documented explosions will be useful for researchers, allowing them to distinguish explosions from earthquakes and estimate yield.
Five innovative research projects tackle fundamental questions of environmental and earth science, including the origins of Earth and life on Mars. The studies aim to advance our understanding and lead to important scientific breakthroughs.
Researchers deployed 100 short-period seismometers to measure ice flow velocity in East Antarctica, tracking movement of up to 1m over a one-month period. The study found that seismic stations on ice sheets showed shifting longitude distributions, while those on bedrock maintained consistent coordinates.
Earthquakes generated by controlled fluid injection at the Rangely oil field were caused by destabilizing fault pore pressure changes, according to a new mechanistic model. The study revisits data from the decades-old project in light of increased seismicity due to fluid injection.
Scientists aim to develop computer models that can forecast earthquake chances and impact, like weather forecasting. The project will also train students and researchers from diverse backgrounds to work on computational geoscience.
The InSight mission provides clues to Mars' composition, mapping its crust, mantle, and core for the first time. Researchers find a multi-layered crust with an average thickness of 24-72 kilometers and a thick lithosphere beneath.
Researchers have determined the crustal thickness of Mars for the first time, with values ranging from 20 to 39 kilometers. This independent measurement allows for a precise map of the planet's crust across its entire surface.
Researchers from ETH Zurich analyzed data from NASA's InSight mission, revealing that Mars' crust, mantle, and core have distinct structures. The findings suggest that Mars was once completely molten, but now has a thinner crust with a relatively high proportion of radioactive elements.
New research has found that seismic surveys used in oil and gas exploration do not impact the abundance or behavior of commercially valuable fish species in north-western Australia. The eight-month experiment measured the effects of seismic airguns on the community of commercially important species, such as red emperor fish.
Researchers conducted a large-scale experiment near Australia's Pilbara Coast and found no significant effects of seismic surveys on demersal fish abundance or behavior. The study suggests that seismic surveys may not harm tropical fishes, contrary to previous concerns.
Researchers detected seasonal variations in seismic wave velocity due to changes in shallow permafrost ice content, attributed to temperature fluctuations. A linear decreasing trend in velocity was also found between 2009 and 2011, indicating an increasingly melted permafrost layer.
A new study concludes that wastewater disposal has not significantly altered the orientation of stress in the Earth's crust in southern Kansas. The researchers analyzed shear wave splitting data and found no evidence for a significant rotation in the fast direction, contradicting previous estimates.
Researchers used seismic sensors to study subglacial water flow on the Argentière glacier. The study revealed a complex drainage system with multiple cavities producing high water pressure, accelerating glacier movement.
Researchers generated first-of-its-kind data on lightly reinforced concrete walls, which helped revise New Zealand Concrete Structures Standard and U.S. Building Code Requirements. The dataset, published on NHERI DesignSafe cyberinfrastructure, revealed hidden damage in walls that led to improved understanding of earthquake engineering.
Researchers used gravity-defying rock formations to determine the peak ground accelerations that could topple them, setting new design ground motion values for the Clyde Dam. The new values are similar to those used when the dam was built in the 1980s, but with a reduced risk due to modern regulations.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) develop a new method for real-time seismic imaging using acoustic waves. This breakthrough improves image resolution and accuracy, enabling faster and more efficient exploration of subsurface structures.
Research suggests that earthquakes magnitude 5.0 and larger could cause ground displacement and liquefaction in Salt Lake City, increasing the risk of earthquake-related building damage. The study identified a complex zone of folding and faulting beneath downtown Salt Lake City, which may deform the ground during a large earthquake.
Researchers found clear reflected seismic phases between 410-km and 660-km, indicating subducted oceanic plates are trapped at the bottom of the mantle transition zone. This discovery sheds light on mantle dynamics and circulation of deep materials.
Researchers from Simon Fraser University and Canadian Space Agency will develop a new system to capture detailed seismic and gravimetric models of the lunar subsurface. This project aims to advance our understanding of the moon's geophysical properties and inform future exploration, potentially enabling human settlement.
A joint research project by Shinshu University and Genesis Research Institute found that electromagnetic anomalies occur before earthquakes due to gas-electric interactions. The anomalies are caused by the trapping of fluid in a fault-valve, which eventually cracks and releases charged gas, generating a large current.
The US Geological Survey, University of Washington and Washington Emergency Management District activate the ShakeAlert system on May 4, sending advance warning of impending earthquakes to millions of people. The system provides seconds to minutes of warning time for earthquakes above magnitude 4.5 or 5.
A high school junior has built a low-cost seismometer device that detects earthquakes with accuracy and provides users with a few seconds of warning to take action. The device, costing less than $100 to make, has been successfully tested and detected several recent earthquakes in Southern California.
Researchers are using 3D printed models to study ground motion after earthquakes, providing a novel platform for seismic experiments. The models replicate complex topographical features and allow scientists to simulate how seismic waves interact with the Earth's surface.
The Black in Geoscience Week aims to increase representation and raise visibility among Black researchers, fostering networks and connections worldwide. The event has generated discussions on the importance of community and awareness among Black geoscientists, highlighting severe underrepresentation in the field.