Scientists detected a seismic signal indicating a massive landslide triggered by the rapid recession of the West Grenville Glacier in British Columbia. The resulting tsunami devastated forest, salmon spawning habitats, and logging camps, killing hundreds of thousands of fish and potentially affecting bears and eagles.
Researchers have discovered evidence of a 500-year-old landslide and associated tsunami in the Gulf of Aqaba, which could have implications for coastline development in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The study predicts that future movement of the seabed might trigger more tsunamis in the region.
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.
A new radiocarbon dating method has been developed to accurately date tsunami deposits, offering insights into past disasters and their frequency. Researchers have found that giant tsunamis have occurred at intervals of 100-200 years since the 1611 Keicho Oshu Tsunami.
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.
A new study finds that the magnetic field generated by a tsunami can be detected a few minutes before changes in sea level, which could improve tsunami warning systems. The researchers used real-world data from two tsunamis to confirm this relationship and provide valuable insights for improving tsunami source models.
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.
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.
A new study predicts that future tsunamis will become more destructive as sea levels rise, particularly in the US West Coast. Rising sea levels will amplify tsunami heights even from smaller earthquakes, making coastal cities more vulnerable to devastation.
The 74th APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Annual Meeting featured presentations on COVID-proofing daily life, kimchi physics, and extreme heat waves. Researchers also discussed advancements in fire-fighting trees and the science behind jellyfish engineers.
Researchers are using geological history to better understand tsunami hazards and improve predictions of future events. A recent study in north-central Chile found geologic evidence of a 1922 tsunami, providing valuable insights into the region's tsunami risk.
Researchers at SFU have discovered a new source of earthquakes and tsunamis in the Greater Tokyo Region, located near tectonic plate boundaries. The study suggests that low-lying areas like Delta, Richmond, and Port Alberni may be vulnerable to tsunamis originating from this region.
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences analyzed tree rings from old-growth Douglas-firs on the Oregon Coast, revealing reduced growth following the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 1700. The findings confirm modeling of the quake's reach and provide insight into the impact of tsunamis on trees.
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.
Researchers from University of California - Santa Barbara create model to couple dynamics of landslides and tsunami generation, predicting wave amplitude based on initial column geometry and water depth.
A new model has been developed to simulate the correlation between iceberg size and tsunami amplitude, providing insight into glacial rupture mechanisms. The study's results can refine sea-level rise predictions and provide detailed information about icebergs' mass loss.
A small Japanese fishing community recovered from the 2011 Tohoku tsunami through cooperative activity, including joint operations and fixed-net fishing. This phenomenon challenges the 'disaster utopia' concept, which suggests temporary collaborative behavior after emergencies.
New data on Anak Krakatau volcano flank collapse provides a clearer picture of the event, which triggered a devastating tsunami in Indonesia. The research used synthetic aperture radar images, field observations, and aerial photographs to create a more accurate model of the volcano before and after it collapsed.
Researchers developed a hybrid simulation method to analyze complex interactions between soil and water. The new method accurately predicts behaviors of soil and seawater in landslide tsunamis.
A recent study by GEOMAR scientists has provided a comprehensive understanding of the northern Chilean subduction zone, shedding light on the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis. The data set, obtained through a unique deployment of ocean-bottom seismometers, revealed that aftershocks were located both beneath and above the p...
Researchers developed a global GNSS seismic monitoring system that can rapidly assess earthquake magnitude and fault slip distribution within seconds. This system can provide early warnings for large earthquakes and tsunamis, buying more time for evacuations and infrastructure shutdowns.
Researchers at NTU Singapore discovered a 32-year 'slow-motion' earthquake that led to the catastrophic 1861 Sumatra earthquake. The study highlights potential missing factors or mismodelling in global earthquake risk assessments.
Scientists have developed a new method to assess earthquake and tsunami hazards in offshore subduction zones, finding that hazards might be systematically underestimated. The study's findings have important implications for the mitigation of risk in affected areas worldwide.
Researchers discovered overlooked tsunami hazards linked to undersea strike-slip faults, especially in areas like the San Francisco Bay and Izmit Bay. The study highlights the need to reassess tsunami hazard ratings for underwater strike-slip faults traversing narrow bays worldwide.
Earthquakes on strike-slip faults can cause shallow bay tsunamis, increasing hazard for coastal cities worldwide. Large horizontal displacements deform bay depth contours, displacing water and initiating tsunami waves.
A team of international scientists identified 47 problems hindering tsunami prevention and mitigation. The review highlights the need for unified databases, research, and improved analysis methods to better understand and prepare for tsunamis.
A new study explains that strike-slip faults, which were previously believed to trigger only small tsunamis, can generate unusually large waves like the devastating Palu tsunami in 2018. Researchers discovered a mechanism for these massive tsunamis to form, suggesting other coastal cities may need to reevaluate their risk level.
Researchers suggest that the 1700 Cascadia earthquake could be part of a longer-lived sequence of earthquakes, potentially spanning many decades. This hypothesis has significant implications for how earthquake hazard maps are created for the region, and may help explain why there is little geologic evidence of the event in some areas.
A shallow locked region south of Cartagena city suggests significant earthquake and tsunami hazard, with a magnitude 8.0 earthquake capable of occurring every 600 years. Researchers urge continued densification of the GPS network to better understand and evaluate this hazard potential.
Researchers uncovered a hidden fault mechanism in the Shumagin Islands region of Alaska, which led to an unexpected strike-slip earthquake. The discovery suggests that areas considered uncoupled or safe from earthquakes may actually be prone to other types of seismic activity.
A recent study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that children who experienced housing loss during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake are more likely to prioritize short-term gratification over long-term rewards. The study analyzed data collected in 2012-2014 on 3- to 5-year-old survivors of the disaster.
Researchers analyzed data from dense seismic, geodetic and tsunami networks to understand the 2011 quake. The study found that a large coseismic fault slip ruptured into a shallow part of the Japan Trench's megathrust fault.
Research on tsunami generation, propagation, inversion, and warning has made significant progress since the 2004 Sumatra tsunami. Tsunami buoys remain the most reliable way for early warning, while new probabilistic methods offer improved hazard assessments.
A massive paleo-tsunami struck near ancient Tel Dor between 9,910 to 9,290 years ago, erasing evidence of low-lying coastal villages in the area. The tsunami deposit was discovered through underwater excavation and modeling, with estimated wave heights ranging from 16 to 40 meters.
Researchers found that deep, slow-slip behaviors beneath subduction zones, such as Cascadia, may control the timing and behavior of megathrust earthquakes. Slow-slip events, which occur at a deeper depth than damaging earthquakes, release energy in different directions, primarily down.
A team of scientists proposes using fleets of commercial shipping vessels to detect and forecast tsunami waves. The network of ships would utilize GPS sensors to monitor the shoreline for potential surges in less than 10 minutes, providing a significant advance warning to people on shore.
A study using NASA satellite imagery reveals a landslide-generated tsunami threat in Barry Arm, Alaska, which could affect the surrounding area within the next 20 years. The glacier's rapid retreat has caused the terrain to become unstable, leading to a potential 3,000-foot landslide into the fjord below.
Researchers have measured a slow-motion landslide on an Alaskan slope, which could potentially trigger a devastating tsunami. The study found that the slope on Barry Arm fjord has slid over 120 meters from 2010 to 2017, posing a significant threat to nearby communities and shipping routes.
Researchers measured rocks formed by seismic slips in central Japan's subduction zone to identify conditions leading to earthquake faulting. This study provides insights into the thermal fracturing process, which could contribute to generating frictional melt and accelerating seismic slip.
Researchers have developed a new model of landslide-induced tsunamis that accounts for the initial location of the landslide body on the shelf slope. The study reveals that tsunami height is affected by the coastal slope and the position of the land mass before slipping, leading to more accurate predictions.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how volcanoes experience stress, which can lead to collapse and eruptions. By studying a dormant volcano on La Palma, the team found that repeated movement of magma inside the volcano causes it to become 'stressed' and potentially unstable.
The University of Huddersfield's Global Disaster Resilience Centre is helping Sri Lanka prepare for and deal with pandemics following a £166,000 award from the UK Research and Innovation. The project aims to improve COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness and response through a multi-hazard early warning system.
The study reveals an 'inchworm-like' slip evolution of supershear rupture along the Palu-Koro fault, showcasing the effect of complex fault geometry on rupture propagation. This phenomenon may have significant implications for assessing future earthquake impacts and related disasters.
Researchers from the University of Warwick analyze sedimentary ancient DNA from Doggerland, revealing insights into a 8150-year-old tsunami and its impact on the region. The study develops new methods for authenticating ancient DNA, including metagenomic assessment methodology.
A new study by Stanford researchers suggests that park-like tsunami defenses, featuring strategically arranged green hills along coastlines, can provide an effective alternative to towering seawalls. These designs prioritize coastal access, ecological function, and community well-being while offering improved risk mitigation benefits.
Researchers report that tsunami mitigation parks can effectively reduce damage from waves with amplitudes comparable to the hill height. The study highlights the need for buffer zones behind these hills to mitigate enhanced damage in their immediate vicinity.
Researchers found large-scale wobbling in the Earth's surface near plate boundaries before massive Chile and Japan quakes. The study suggests that periods of enhanced tugging may accelerate the inevitable failure at shallower segments of the subduction zone, leading to great earthquakes.
Cervical cancer screening rates dropped by over 3% in four areas of Miyagi Prefecture after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, with rates still lower five years later. Long-term monitoring is needed to restore screening rates in affected areas.
Researchers found that the angle at which the ocean plate dives under the continental plate may have gradually shallowed out over millions of years, leading to the formation of an extensional fault that could have magnified the tsunami. The study used computer models and various data sets to support its findings.
A new study has recalculated the magnitude of the Great Lisbon Earthquake from 8.5 to 9.0 to 7.7 using macroseismic data from Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. The analysis suggests that the earthquake's epicenter was offshore the southwestern Iberian Peninsula and may have involved faulting onshore.
A hybrid approach combining mangroves, coral reefs and man-made solutions can protect coastal communities from disaster while preserving biodiversity. The study suggests ecosystem-based protection should be the basis for a coastal protection strategy, making it more cost-efficient and better protecting valuable ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have successfully developed and tested a new seafloor geodesy system that can detect small movements in the Earth's seafloor, potentially improving forecasting of earthquakes and tsunamis. The buoy, anchored on the sea floor with precision GPS, has been producing data on three-dimensional ...
A recent study by University of Bonn researchers suggests that a massive tsunami struck the coast of Oman around 1,000 years ago, with waves reaching up to 15 meters high. The findings emphasize the importance of developing an effective early warning system for the region to mitigate devastating consequences.
A new study suggests that tsunamis after the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964 brought a tropical fungus ashore, leading to subsequent outbreaks of often-fatal infections among people in coastal regions. The fungus, Cryptococcus gattii, is typically found in warm climates but was discovered in the Pacific Northwest region.
Researchers at GFZ Potsdam identified clear warning signs before the Anak Krakatau volcano's flank collapse, which triggered a deadly tsunami. The study analyzed data from various sources, including satellites and seismic data, to better understand the event and improve early warning systems for other volcanoes.
Researchers have developed a new method to study rocks along fault lines, revealing clearer views of the Earth's crust. This technique combines acoustic mapping with full waveform inversion, enabling scientists to better understand why earthquakes and tsunamis occur.
Researchers analyzed past major earthquakes in Mexico and Chile to understand earthquake cycles and calculate future seismic hazards. The data also helped develop new ideas about the physical processes involved in seismic rupture, geometry of subduction, and tsunami generation in the region.
The researchers identified underlying causes of the deadly Palu earthquake and tsunami using coupled computer models. The team found that the earthquake-induced movement of the seafloor beneath Palu Bay itself could have generated the tsunami, meaning landslides contributed less to its formation than previously thought.
Researchers reconstructed the Anak Krakatau flank collapse using satellite remote sensing data, finding it was triggered by a relatively small landslide. The study shows that the collapse changed the eruption style, leading to a more explosive and destructive event.
Researchers analyzed gravel samples from three tsunami events and found a common change in composition approximately 40% of the way inland. This 'Tsunami Gravel Inflection Point' helps estimate ancient tsunami sizes, expanding research on disaster mitigation and coastal planning.