On the lookout for unique quakes in Oklahoma
Scientists in Oklahoma have unraveled different types of earthquakes that can be hard to see in the squiggles of seismograms that record shaking. By Meghomita Das, Palomar Fellow (@meghomita) …
Faults underneath Seattle could trigger 33-foot tsunami wave
A new report warns that Seattle waterfront and other low-lying areas could be inundated by a tsunami wave within minutes of a Seattle Fault earthquake. By Laura Fattaruso, Simpson …
Slow earthquakes rumble through the Pacific Northwest
Just 20 years ago, the discovery of “slow” earthquakes took the field of earthquake hazards by storm. Today, scientists are still hot on the trail for these sneaky quakes. …
Between earthquakes, mountains rise
The Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California were built slowly over time, new research shows. By Nam Cheah, science writer, Temblor Earthquake News extern Citation: Cheah, N., 2022, …
Shaking up what we know about Mars
Three years after InSight’s safe arrival on Mars, the lander picked up several large seismic events on the Red Planet. By Davitia James, Temblor Earthquake News Extern (@davitiaa) …
A landslide, tsunami and then a flood: the massive hazard cascade that shook the world
New research reveals the intensity of British Columbia’s 2020 hazard cascade as members of the Homalco First Nation continue to pick up the pieces. By Lauren A. Koenig, Ph.D., …
Scientists get closer to predicting economic losses from wildfires
A new open-source wildfire model could help predict which wildfires will cause the most economic damage across the globe, informing preventative strategies. By Erin Martin-Jones, Ph.D., University of Cambridge …
First high-resolution subsurface images of faults in the Imperial Valley
Scientists imaged hidden fault structures in the Imperial Valley along a canal using techniques typically applied in lakes and oceans. What they found highlights that faults don’t care about human-defined …
Ancient Chile quake upended coastal Atacama communities
Archaeological and geological evidence point to 3,800-year-old magnitude-9.5 earthquake and tsunami on the Chilean coast. By Rebecca Owen, Science Writer (@beccapox) Citation: Owen, R., 2022, Ancient Chile quake …
Mexico City’s urban noise reveals the sinking metropolis’ changing seismic hazard
Scientists use noise generated by human activities to determine how the subsidence rate of densely populated Mexico City affects its seismic hazard. By Meghomita Das, McGill University (@meghomita) …
Self-driving cars and earthquakes have more in common than you’d think
Scientists and a Japanese cell phone provider are working together to measure land movements, with an eye toward locating earthquakes. By Melissa Scruggs, Ph.D. (@VolcanoDoc) Citation: Scruggs, M., …
Using balloons to hear distant explosions
Balloon-mounted sensors can detect clearer sound waves from explosions, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes than the commonly used ground-based sensors. By Elisabeth Nadin, Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks Citation: …
A quiet section of the San Andreas once had big quakes
Geologic dating helped researchers uncover evidence of big earthquakes along the central San Andreas Fault. By Jay Barber, science writer (@JayBarber77) Citation: Barber, J, 2022, A quiet section …
Coastal boulders constrain prehistoric tsunamis
Coastal boulders give scientists an idea of past seismicity in a region, which helps them understand the potential for future earthquakes and tsunamis. By Mizael Ramos Ortiz, B.Sc., Temblor …
Listening closely to Mayotte’s new underwater volcano
By rapidly deploying real time seismic instruments, French researchers improved their understanding of the seismic crisis at Mayotte, an island in the Indian Ocean. By Davitia James, Temblor Earthquake …
New fracking-generated earthquakes discovered
Understanding how earthquakes occur near fracking wells can help scientists make energy production safer. By Lena Beck, @LenaJLBeck Citation: Beck, L., 2022, New fracking-generated earthquakes discovered, Temblor, http://doi.org/10.32858/temblor.247 …
Israel to get earthquake early warnings
Densely spaced seismic monitoring stations and a ready-made alerting system allow warnings to be issued within seconds of an earthquake larger than magnitude-4.5. By Elisabeth Nadin, University of Alaska …
Shallow waters trap “silent” tsunamis from volcanic landslides
A deep dive into Portugal’s 1930 deadly tsunami reveals how ocean depth affects tsunamis triggered by landslides. By Lauren A. Koenig, Ph.D., Science Writer (@Lauren_A_Koenig) Citation: Koenig, L., …
The Human Element: Study Shows Mental Health Worsens with Repeated Disasters
Exposure to multiple disasters leaves people “worse for wear,” lowering mental health scores. By Ashley Balzer, Science Writer (@AshleyBVigil) Citation: Balzer, A., 2022, The Human Element: Study Shows …
An earlier tsunami warning could save lives. New data say it’s possible
Early signals of a coming tsunami hide in Earth’s magnetic field, according to new research. By Krystal Vasquez, Science Writer (@caffeinatedkrys) Citation: Vasquez, K., 2022, An earlier tsunami …
Washington tribe prepares for waves, welcomes all
With the threat of a large earthquake and tsunami looming, the Shoalwater Bay Tribe is constructing the first tsunami tower in North America. By Rebecca Owen, Science Writer (@beccapox) …
North of Los Angeles, Faults Share Earthquakes
The San Andreas and the San Jacinto faults have simultaneously ruptured in at least three earthquakes over the past 2000 years. By Alba M. Rodriguez Padilla, Ph.D. candidate, UC …
Scientists take step toward warning those in tall buildings during earthquakes
Some buildings sway more than others in an earthquake. Scientists are exploring how to integrate this variation into Earthquake Early Warning systems. By Jeng Hann Chong, University of New …
Social media videos show how people react during an earthquake
Footage from the 2018 Anchorage earthquake shows that people react differently in public and private spaces. By Davitia James, Temblor Earthquake News Extern (@davitiaa) Citation: James, D., 2022, …
Most Americans live in natural hazard hot spots
Climate change is to blame, but targeted and poorly executed planning decisions mean that half of U.S. buildings lie in natural hazard “hot spots.” By Meghan Zulian, University of …
X-rays can reveal massive, ancient two-for-one earthquakes
By studying sedimentary layers beneath a lake in Indonesia, researchers developed a new technique that can date earthquake doublets within the hour. By Lauren Koenig, Ph.D., Science Writer (@Lauren_A_Koenig) …
What looking below-ground can reveal about earthquake hazard
Faults can appear at the surface as simple, straight features, but deep below ground they can be complex, and their hidden geometry can play in a role in their hazard. …
Stressed out: Scientists find new way to measure crustal stress
Stress in Earth’s crust affects how faults move and rocks break. Researchers developed a novel way to measure stress using a different type of data. By Fionna M.D. Samuels, …
Engaging communities with Canada’s earthquake early warning system
In a series of public education programs and workshops, researchers in Canada are engaging with communities and other stakeholders to develop an earthquake early warning system. By Meghomita Das, …
125-year-old Indian seismic puzzle solved
More than a century after a magnitude-8+ earthquake struck in India, researchers have identified the epicenter of the massive quake. By Davitia James, Temblor Earthquake News Extern (@davitiaa) …
Making the shaking count — high schoolers in Puerto Rico set up earthquake alerts with Raspberry Shake
After a strong earthquake struck Puerto Rico in 2020, a group of students quickly designed, programmed and installed a small seismic network to record aftershocks. By Elisabeth Nadin, University …
What should you do if you get an earthquake early warning?
A new study analyzes what is the best advice to give people when an earthquake strikes. The answer depends on where you are among other things, but for the U.S. …
Some New Zealanders are hesitant to retrofit homes. Researchers asked why
A new study focused on New Zealand’s capital city considers why some homeowners do not take preventative measures to strengthen their property against earthquakes. By Davitia James, Temblor Earthquake …
Fluids and tiny minerals play a big role in subduction zones
A new study demonstrates how increasing fluid pressure and crystal size affects subduction zone earthquakes. By Davitia James, Temblor Earthquake News Extern (@davitiaa) Citation: James, D., 2021, Fluids …
ShakeAlert puts Southern California train safety on track
Southern California’s commuter rail system pilots a new technology to reduce train speed in advance of earthquake shaking. By Lauren Koenig (@Lauren_A_Koenig) Citation: Koenig, L., 2021, ShakeAlert puts …
First written records of earthquakes in ancient Mesoamerica reported
Seismologists and anthropologists identified some of the earliest written records of earthquakes in the Americas in ancient documents. By Meghomita Das, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, McGill University, …
¿Pueden teléfonos móviles fijados a edificios detectar temblores?
Utilizando redes de teléfonos inteligentes, científicos están probando un nuevo y económico sistema de alerta temprana de terremotos para áreas con alta población y recursos limitados. Por Meghomita Das, …
Using local knowledge in disaster policy is challenging, but necessary
Although policymakers acknowledge the importance of local knowledge in disaster risk reduction, implemented strategies may leave locals feeling ignored. By Fionna M.D. Samuels, Temblor Earthquake News Extern, (@Fairy__Hedgehog) …
Faults connect beneath Salt Lake City, may increase hazard
Data collected in downtown Salt Lake City reveal active faults that interact at depth. The finding may mean the faults pose a greater hazard than previously thought. By Kaelie …
Blowing off steam: How clean energy could stabilize faults
Geothermal energy production, considered a clean source of power, might help stabilize an otherwise active fault system. By Meghan Zulian, University of California, Davis, Temblor science writing extern (@MeghanZulian) …
Can smartphones affixed to buildings detect earthquakes?
Using smartphone networks, scientists are testing new low-cost efficient earthquake early warning system for areas with large populations and limited resources. By Meghomita Das, Department of Earth & Planetary …
Scientists use new method to recalculate Malawi’s seismic risk
Scientists have developed a new approach for estimating seismic hazard in southern Malawi, a region in the East African Rift zone with minimal earthquake records. By D’Maia Curry, Freelance …
Submarine mountains can subdue earthquakes
Scientists surveying the seabed off New Zealand’s east coast have uncovered undersea mountains that help explain mysterious slow-motion earthquakes. By Erin Martin-Jones, Ph.D., Department of Earth Sciences, University of …
Virginia riverbanks tell the story of past large earthquakes
Sand dikes formed during ancient earthquakes indicate that Virginia might have experienced an earthquake as large as magnitude 6.5 in the last few millennia. By Laura Fattaruso, M.S., Ph.D. …
Seismic waves reveal the Arctic is on shaky ground
As climate change raises temperatures across the Arctic, the seismic waves traveling through permafrost in Svalbard, Norway, are slowing down. By Lauren Koenig, Ph.D. Candidate, Michigan State University (@Lauren_A_Koenig) …
Injecting CO2 into depleted oil fields may not cause quakes
Oil and gas extraction may stabilize shallow faults, making depleted reservoirs a potentially safe candidate for CO2 storage. By Fionna M. D. Samuels, Ph.D. student and Temblor extern …
Here’s what high-flying balloons can tell us about earthquakes
A new study shows that sensors on high-altitude balloons can detect pressure signals from earthquakes. Could the method be used on Venus? By Jeng Hann Chong, University of New …
Scientists unravel India’s 2021 Chamoli disaster
On February 7, a massive avalanche of ice and rock caused widespread devastation at Chamoli in the mountains of northern India, killing more than 200 people. By Meghomita Das, …
Recent earthquake activity unlocks mysteries of the Wasatch Fault
Ground motion recordings over the last decade reveal how ground shaking attenuates and becomes amplified beneath Utah’s urban corridor. By Lauren Koenig, Ph.D. Candidate, Michigan State University (@Lauren_A_Koenig) …
A fluid’s journey into deep earth may explain deep quakes
An interdisciplinary collaboration investigates one of earth science’s cryptic mysteries: the origin of deep earthquakes. By Meghan Zulian, University of California, Davis, Temblor science writing extern (@MeghanZulian) Citation: …
European companies get help prepping for the next earthquake
As Europeans become increasingly concerned about potential earthquakes, scientists must improve earthquake early warning systems and hazard communication — especially for business. By Pablo Salucci, Science writer (@psalucci) …
A better way to forecast megathrust earthquakes and subsequent tsunami events
Megathrust earthquakes have caused some of the most devastating natural disasters in history, but a new model could improve our ability to forecast them. By Jessica Orwig, Ph.D., Science …
Scientists simulate earthquake swarms
Computer simulations show that fluid flow can cause swarms of earthquakes. By Akash Kharita, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Temblor science writing extern (@seismo_akash) Citation: Kharita, A., 2021, …
Paleo-quakes illuminate earthquake gates in New Zealand
A new study of New Zealand’s Alpine Fault reveals details about past earthquakes and the likelihood of a large future rupture. By Fionna M. D. Samuels, Ph.D. Student, Temblor …
Earthquakes in Cascadia produce relatively few aftershocks
Researchers determined that Cascadia is a standout among similar seismic zones worldwide because it produces fewer aftershocks than its global counterparts. By Lauren Milideo, Ph.D., science writer (@lwritesscience) …
Reenvisioning resilience may help earthquake recovery in Italy
Research from Italy presents new metrics for resilience to improve outcomes of Italian students affected by devastating earthquakes. By Lauren Koenig, Ph.D. Candidate, Michigan State University (@Lauren_A_Koenig) Citation: …
Icequakes indicate Antarctic glaciers on the move
A study of seismicity within Perunika Glacier on Livingston Island in Antarctica reveals variable icequake frequency possibly linked to melting ice. By Makenna Lenover, Temblor Earthquake News extern (@makennalenover) …
Megamodels: Chile’s insurance sector sharpens up
Chile’s prehistoric megathrust earthquakes can inform hazard models for the natural disaster insurance industry. By Madeline Dahm, science writer (@MadelineDahm) Citation: Dahm, M., 2021, Megamodels: Chile’s insurance sector …
Fiber-optic cables can sense aftershocks
Scientists transformed telecom cables beneath Tangshan, China, into a rapidly deployed aftershock monitoring network following the 2020 magnitude-5.1 earthquake. By Mariah C. Hoskins, Ph.D., science writer (@DrMCHoskins) Citation: …
Overdue? The future of large earthquakes in California
Is California overdue for a large earthquake? Perhaps, but residents shouldn’t get complacent. By Krystal Vasquez (@CaffeinatedKrys) Citation: Vasquez, K., 2021, Overdue? The future of large earthquakes in …
Surprising recharacterization of earthquake risk along a strand of the San Andreas
A recent study indicates increased slip rates along the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas Fault, suggesting a novel configuration of earthquake risk at this latitude. By Ben …
Undersea telecom cables detect ocean earthquakes
Researchers used throwaway data from telecom companies to turn submarine telecommunications cables into deep-sea earthquake sensors. By Lauren Milideo, Ph.D., science writer, (@lwritesscience) Citation: Milideo, L., 2021, Undersea …
Getting Warmer — A Long Stride in Volcano Monitoring
Scientists have discovered previously hidden signs of thermal unrest in the years leading up to recent volcanic eruptions. By Elisabeth Nadin, Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks Citation: Nadin, …