Articles tagged with Seismology
Researchers at the University of Arizona and partnering universities are working on a NSF-funded project to develop buildings that won't collapse under major earthquakes. The focus is on lateral force transfer through steel collectors, which horizontally transmit earthquake forces.
Scientists developed a model to estimate the maximum magnitude of an earthquake caused by wastewater injection from hydraulic fracturing. The model takes into account the energy stored on nearby faults and predicts the distance an earthquake can propagate beyond an injection site.
Researchers from GEOMAR and Universidad de Chile found that the 2016 earthquake released accumulated energy from a previous quake in 1960, with a slip of over 4.5 meters. This study suggests reevaluating seismic cycles for risk assessment and construction recommendations
Researchers are developing a new method to monitor hurricane intensity using seismic data, analyzing pressure changes on the surface that generate seismic waves. The technique, called beamforming backprojection, can detect even when the storm is still out at sea, offering a remote way to track storms.
A team of researchers is mapping areas at risk from liquefaction, a devastating form of seismic phenomenon caused by earthquakes. The LIQUEFACT project aims to assess community resilience to liquefaction-induced disasters, producing a framework for building vulnerability evaluation and mitigation strategies.
The ShakeAlert system, developed for the US West Coast, is fine-tuning a U.S. prototype that could be in limited public use in 2018. Key components include dense networks of seismic stations and education/training on using alerts.
Researchers have discovered a faster method for estimating large earthquake magnitudes by analyzing 'elasto-gravity' signals, which travel at the speed of light. These signals consistently arrive before seismic wave counterparts, allowing for near-real-time magnitude detection and more accurate estimates.
Researchers simulated 50 scenarios of a magnitude-9.0 Cascadia earthquake, finding that coastal areas would be hardest hit and locations in sediment-filled basins like Seattle would shake more. The intensity of shaking can vary by a factor of 10 depending on the scenario.
The MIPT Center for Molecular Electronics developed a seismic station that can reveal underground reservoir structures at great depths. The device has a wider bandwidth than existing seismic stations, allowing it to pick up low-frequency waves and detect potential hydrocarbon reserves more effectively.
Exposure to seismic signals from air gun surveys increased scallop mortality rates and altered physiological characteristics, including reflex responses and hemolymph biochemistry. These findings suggest potential effects of anthropogenic aquatic noise on marine life.
Scientists have documented a clear-cut instance of a massive earthquake triggering slow slip events in New Zealand, some occurring as far away as 300 miles from the epicenter. This study provides new insights into the relationships between slow slip events and earthquakes.
Seismic reflection data from the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake revealed a frontal prism, reflective zone, and subducted horst-and-graben structures in the Japan Trench. This provides insights into the behavior of large shallow slip zones and potential tsunami earthquakes.
Seismologists have discovered that processes beneath the Andean Plateau produce far more continental rock than previously thought. The findings suggest that mountain-forming regions could create larger volumes of continental crust in less time, leading to significant changes in our understanding of Earth's geological history.
The USGS has awarded $4.9 million to six universities and a non-profit organization to support the transition of the ShakeAlert system into a production system. The partnership aims to improve the sensor and telemetry infrastructure across the western United States.
A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that the Tibetan Plateau's unique shape may be explained by the strength of the tectonic plates involved in its formation. The research found that a strong Asian plate results in a narrow plateau, while a weak Asian plate produces a broad one.
A University of Oklahoma study reveals the complex relationship between wastewater injection and seismicity in Oklahoma. The research found that foreshocks correlated with wastewater injection rates and stress interactions between earthquakes, ultimately leading to the September 3, 2016, 5.8 magnitude earthquake near Pawnee, Oklahoma.
Researchers used repair petitions to trace damage from the magnitude 7.3 event in Aguadilla, finding a consistent picture with modern-day data. The study provides detailed 'ground truth' of the 1918 quake's impact, useful for predicting future earthquake damage.
New research reveals that commercial seismic surveys cause a two to three-fold increase in mortality of adult and larval zooplankton. The study found significant negative impacts on zooplankton populations up to 1.2 kilometers away from the air gun signals.
A new report suggests that changes in wastewater injection rates in disposal wells may have led to the Pawnee earthquake, the largest recorded in Oklahoma since the 1950s. The quake was triggered by wastewater produced by oil and gas drilling injected back into the ground.
Geologists used radioactive elements trapped in calcite crystals to create a 'clock' that measured the age of each event, revealing 13 distinct seismic events over 400,000 years. The study sheds light on the mechanics of earthquakes in intraplate faults and their relationship with human activities.
The Kaikoura earthquake triggered widespread slow slip events, producing simultaneous patches of slip in other areas. Ground faulting was complex, rupturing at nine to 12 faults with multiple orientations, resulting in a combined rupture length of about 180 kilometers.
Researchers study public knowledge about earthquake risk and building code preferences to develop effective communication strategies. The findings highlight the importance of using plain language, discussing likely outcomes, and limiting misinformation to effectively convey earthquake risk.
Researchers use seismic data acquisition and multi-attribute processing to locate hazardous underground voids left behind by coal mining in Wyoming. The integrated techniques help identify size, orientation, and shape of mining voids, ensuring rapid remediation efforts.
Researchers found signs of fault displacement at well-known rock outcrops in Colorado marking the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact. The study suggests massive seismic waves could have generated earthquakes as far away as Colorado.
A new study maps and classifies the earthquake shaking potential across most of the Las Vegas metropolitan area, revealing that much of the ground is stiffer and potentially safer than previously thought. The site classifications could lead to reduced construction costs and improved safety measures for buildings.
Scientists discover Quaternary ruptures along the Leech River fault, capable of producing earthquakes MW >6, highlighting seismic risk exposure. A new continent, Zealandia, geologically separate from Australia and Antarctica, is identified as a major geological entity.
Scientists have discovered a primordial soup in the Earth's mantle older than the moon, containing helium-3, a vestige of the Big Bang. Only the hottest and most buoyant mantle plumes draw from this reservoir, suggesting it may be preserved due to its density.
Researchers used data from the USGS 'Did You Feel It?' website to develop new intensity mapping for two California earthquakes. They found that including non-reporting ZIP codes improved the accuracy of seismic intensity maps, particularly at intermediate distances from the epicenter.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus found that safety codes can result in overly reinforced bridges, wasting materials and increasing construction expenses. The study suggests a new approach to seismic design, prioritizing self-centering capability and reducing the need for costly demolitions.
A new study led by Colorado State University suggests that a shift in the Southern Annular Mode, similar to El Nino, can lead to stronger ocean waves and the collapse of ice shelves. The research found that reduced sea ice cover allows ocean waves to directly impact ice shelves, enhancing surface melting and weakening ice shelves.
A new analysis published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America suggests that a tiny North Korean seismic event in May 2010 was an earthquake, not a nuclear explosion. The study's findings contradict previous reports that claimed it was a small nuclear test.
Researchers have developed an ultra-high-speed optical fiber sensor that can detect structural damage in real-time, with a sampling rate of up to 100 kHz. This breakthrough technology has the potential to monitor the health of various structures and applications in robotics.
Researchers studied olivine, a key mineral in Earth's mantle, to understand plate tectonics and measure the Earth's surface thickness. They found that tectonic plates are approximately 100 kilometers thick, contradicting previous theories.
The MyShake app has recorded nearly 400 earthquakes globally since its launch in February, providing valuable data on seismic activity. The app's performance shows it can complement traditional seismic networks and serve as a stand-alone system in areas with few stations, helping reduce earthquake-related injuries and damage.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab will present various talks on climate modeling challenges, permafrost, induced seismicity and drought sensitivity in mountainous watersheds. They aim to map regions sensitive to drought conditions using historical data and identify environmental controls.
Researchers presented insights from the Curiosity rover's study of Mount Sharp on Mars, which helps reconstruct the geological history of the area. Additionally, they developed a method to distinguish between natural and manmade earthquakes using seismic wave characteristics. Furthermore, scientists observed gamma-ray bursts triggered ...
A recent study by University of Nevada, Reno geophysicists suggests that the Kathmandu region is vulnerable to a more powerful earthquake than the 2015 Gorkha quake. The research indicates that the Himalayan Frontal Fault has reached a stage of strain accumulation prior to a potential major thrust earthquake.
A SUNY Geneseo composer is gathering information to compose music based on seismic data gathered at the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The music will express messages within the ice and be performed in both choral and instrumental music performances.
A new mechanism explains how great earthquakes cause coastal uplift worldwide, highlighting the potential for future damaging earthquakes and tsunamis at active subduction margins. Paleoshorelines reveal that recent uplift is often greatest in periods with clustered large-magnitude earthquakes.
A new IUCN guide outlines environmentally responsible seismic survey practices to minimize negative impacts on marine species. The guide provides a structured approach for planning and conducting low-noise surveys, reducing disruption of communication, stress, and behavioral changes in whales and other cetaceans.
A team of ASU researchers has found that major earthquakes can actually down-drop mountains while uplifting the surrounding foothills, challenging conventional wisdom on the mechanisms of mountain building. This new understanding may help anticipate seismic hazards in advance of devastating earthquakes.
A study found that geothermal energy production in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field increased the background seismicity rate, but not in other areas. The researchers used advanced models and earthquake data to analyze the connection between geothermal production and seismic activity.
New fossil discoveries from the Ediacaran Doushantuo formation in South China reveal embryonic features similar to those of living animals. The fossils display unique structures preserved through discoidal cleavage, supporting the conclusion that animal lineages evolved by the mid-Ediacaran period.
Researchers found evidence that the mantle flows in a direction ahead of recent changes in plate motion, suggesting it may be responsible for past and current changes. The study also explored magma supply under mid-ocean ridges, finding larger volumes at segment ends than previously thought.
The study establishes a phase diagram of dry olivine up to 6.4 GPa, linking temperature and melting behavior. This relationship enables the comparison of the strength of the upper mantle with different thermal states and olivine composition.
The MyShake app, released in Japanese, collects ground-shaking information from smartphones to analyze quakes and relay data to the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory. The system has recorded earthquakes worldwide, including induced earthquakes, and plans to provide life-saving early warnings.
A new study suggests that the Riasi fault in Indian Kashmir has been building up pressure for thousands of years, potentially leading to a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake. The fault's lack of recent seismic activity increases the likelihood of a major event, posing a significant threat to millions of people in the region.
Researchers from Trinity College and Swedish Museum of Natural History found zircon crystals formed in younger impact craters are indistinguishable from ancient ones, suggesting many ancient crystals formed in violent impact settings. This challenges the long-held theory that these crystals formed during tectonic plate collisions.
Crowd-sourced information on felt earthquakes is being integrated with data collected by seismometers, providing a more complete picture of an earthquake event. Citizen seismology offers a new window into the aftermath of earthquakes, including infrastructure damage and personal experiences.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake in January's Iniskin event shook the Cook Inlet region of Alaska, prompting seismologists to revise their estimates of intermediate-depth earthquakes in the area. The quake's unusual depth of 123 km below the surface resulted in minimal damage, but could affect future hazard risk estimates in southern Alaska.
A comprehensive analysis suggests that a series of Texas earthquakes, including a 4.8 magnitude event in 2012, could be caused by wastewater injection. However, the study emphasizes the need for high-quality subsurface data to confirm this finding.
Scientists have found that the North Anatolian Fault Zone can produce mega earthquakes of magnitude M8 exclusively in the east. In contrast, northwestern Turkey, including Istanbul, is not expected to experience such large earthquakes exceeding M7.5. The study suggests that the eastern region's older age and mature fault zone contribut...
Researchers studying a massive crack in the ground near Menominee, Michigan, have discovered it's likely a rare geological phenomenon known as a 'pop-up' feature. The team used seismic refraction techniques to confirm the formation of the feature, which is believed to be caused by stress in ancient limestone rock.
A team of Penn State researchers is monitoring Nicaragua's Momotombo volcano with a $40,000 NSF grant. They're using GPS, seismometers and other equipment to track ground deformation, seismic activity and lava composition to predict potential eruptions and hazards.
Roger D. Borcherdt receives the 2016 Bruce A. Bolt Medal for his exceptional contributions to seismology and engineering seismology, including pioneering site-response studies and theoretical solutions for wave propagation problems.
Geologists have discovered a unique landform in the Wabash River Valley that was formed by erosion from melting glacier floodwaters. The finding provides insight into how floodwaters may behave as glaciers continue to melt today, with potential effects on surrounding landscapes.
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory developed a new method to detect underground nuclear explosions by coupling seismic models with gas-flow models. The research improves the accuracy of predicting radionuclide gas transport through fracture networks, enabling better detection and concentration of gases.
Icequakes in Arctic glaciers may help predict future ice flow and sea level rise. New research finds that the Sabatier process can create life at cooler temperatures than previously thought.
Walter J. Arabasz received the Frank Press Public Service Award for his public service in modernizing seismic monitoring in the US. He led the development of Utah's regional seismic network and played a key role in informing state seismic safety policies.
Scientists have found that maximum observed earthquake magnitudes on transform faults generally scale with offset across the faults, but for some earthquakes, a larger coseismic stress drop occurs. This study contributes to developing refined building codes and risk mitigation concepts along major transform faults.