Semantics at the Salton Sea: When does a swarm become a sequence?
When the ground along the Salton Sea began shaking on June 5 and didn’t stop, scientists thought it was another swarm. But was it? By Debi Kilb, Ph.D., Scripps …
Essay: Foothill Living and Lake Tahoe Earthquakes
A resident of the Sierra Nevada foothills questions the possible reasons for the recent spate of Lake Tahoe quakes. By Lester Lubetkin We live outside of the small …
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 …
Southeast Alaska quake stands alone
On May 30, a magnitude-6.1 earthquake struck northeast of Anchorage, Alaska, on a subducting microplate. By Elisabeth Nadin, Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks Citation: Nadin, A., 2021, Southeast …
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) …
なぜ宮城・福島県沖で 3つの M7地震が続発したのか？
M7地震の関連性をみると， 3月の地震が5月の地震を誘発した可能性は高いが，最初の2月の地震が3月の地震を促した明確な証拠はない． 遠田晋次（東北大学災害科学国際研究所） スタイン ロス（Ross S. Stein，Temblor社） Citation: Toda, S., Stein, R., 2021, Recent large Japan quakes are aftershocks of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, Temblor, http://doi.org/10.32858/temblor.175 …
Recent large Japan quakes are aftershocks of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake
Less clear is whether the three magnitude-7 quakes in the past 80 days are part of a chain reaction. The sequence has nevertheless left some faults closer to failure, so …
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 …
भूकंप के तेज झटको से हिला असम
एक बड़े भूकंप ने बुधवार को असम और आसपास के राज्यों के निवासियों को हिला दिया। मुख्य भूकंप के बाद भी आफ्टरशॉक्स ने क्षेत्र में खड़खड़ाहट जारी रखा । …
Strong earthquake jolts Assam
A major earthquake shook residents of Assam and nearby states on Wednesday. Aftershocks continue to rattle the region. By Akash Kharita, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Temblor science writing …
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, …
Representation matters in earthquake ‘felt reports’
Earthquake ‘felt reports’ can help determine where critical resources should be sent after a major quake. But these accounts may be biased toward those who have the means to report. …
Magnitude-4.0 quake strikes in major Los Angeles fault zone
The Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone is the likely source of yesterday’s early morning quake that rattled many in the Los Angeles metro region. By Jennifer Schmidt, Ph. D., Temblor Earthquake …
Who is most vulnerable during a major Northern California earthquake?
A study shows that the most socioeconomically vulnerable communities in California are also most vulnerable to earthquakes; they’re likely to experience the greatest damage. By Olivia Box (@oliviafaybox) …
Exótica secuencia de terremotos observada en Nueva Zelanda
La misteriosa serie de terremotos ocurridos recientemente al norte de Nueva Zelanda pudo haber sido el resultado de una forma particular de activación de sismicidad. Por Héctor González-Huizar, Ph.D., …
Disappearance of ancient lake may explain earthquake gap in Southern California
New models add to the evidence that stress changes from prehistoric Lake Cahuilla helped trigger past large earthquakes. By Laura Fattaruso, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, UMass Amherst (@labtalk_laura) Citation: …
High-rises at risk: Building codes underestimate Vancouver’s seismic hazard
State of the art simulations reveal that Vancouver’s tall concrete buildings are especially vulnerable to some types of seismic waves. By Shi En Kim (@goes_by_kim) Citation: Kim, S. …
New Zealand sees exotic earthquake sequence
A mystifying series of earthquakes that struck north of New Zealand last week may have resulted from a unique form of seismic triggering. By Hector Gonzalez-Huizar, Ph.D., Ensenada Center …
Oregon activates mobile earthquake warning system
“ShakeAlert,” the earthquake early warning program, is set to deliver alerts to the public in Oregon via mobile devices starting today. By Mariah C. Hoskins, Ph.D., Science Writer (@DrMCHoskins) …
Supercomputer creates over 700,000 years of simulated earthquakes
Researchers used supercomputers to create millennia of simulated earthquakes in Southern California, then studied what hazard these quakes might create. By Lauren Milideo, Ph.D., science writer (@lwritesscience) Citation: …
Connecting faults improves earthquake forecasting models
A recent study shows that seismic hazard analyses can be improved by connecting more faults in an earthquake forecasting model. By Jeng Hann Chong, Cal State University Northridge …
Petrinja earthquake moved crust 10 feet
A preliminary analysis shows that the fault that slipped in December’s destructive magnitude-6.4 Petrinja earthquake slipped about 10 feet (three meters). By Athanassios Ganas, National Observatory of Athens, Institute …
Earthquake lightning is grounded in rock slides
Recent lab experiments show that flashes of light seen during earthquakes come from rocks that fracture during landslides caused by shaking ground. By Melissa L. Weber, science writer (@Melwriter) …
Fuerte terremoto sacudió a San Juan
Un terremoto de magnitud-6.4 ocurrió cerca de San Juan, Argentina esta semana, pocos días después de que la ciudad conmemorara un nuevo aniversario del sismo que destruyera la ciudad 77 …
Strong quake rattles San Juan
A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck near San Juan, Argentina, this week, just days after the city commemorated a destructive earthquake three quarters of a century earlier. By Carlos Costa, Ph.D., …
Fault slip angles reveal continuum of earthquake rupture speeds
Researchers show how a range of fault slip angles explains the observed continuum of earthquake rupture speeds, even those thought forbidden by classic theory. By Mariah C. Hoskins, Ph.D., …
The Central San Andreas creeps along without a major earthquake
Between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the San Andreas Fault releases stress by gradual movement. Scientists calculate fault slip from offset topography and discuss seismic hazard. By Chelsea …
Modern Modeling Determines Magnitudes of Historic Earthquakes
Researchers used a modeling approach to study the magnitudes of California’s largest historical earthquakes, finding that the 1906 San Francisco quake was magnitude-7.9. By Lauren Milideo, Ph.D., science writer …
Stress analysis shows slight increase in seismic hazard near Zagreb
We find that the Petrinja earthquake raised the chances of another large, damaging shock nearer to Zagreb by a factor of three, but the probability is still low, at about …
M 3.6 in San Francisco Bay Area
A M3.6 earthquake rattled the San Francisco Bay Area early this morning. The quake struck ~7 miles offshore and USGS data suggest that it accommodated right lateral strike slip …
Croatian earthquake causes significant damage
A magnitude-6.4 earthquake rattled Central Croatia on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Reports of significant damage highlight vulnerable construction in the region. By: Nenad Bijelić, Ph.D., EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de …
M 6.4 quake strikes Croatia
A damaging M6.4 earthquake rattled Croatia today, centered near Petrinja. It appears to have struck on a strike slip fault. This quake came a day after a M5.2 quake …
Kīlauea starts new eruptive cycle with a lava show
Kīlauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii reawakened on Dec. 20 with a flourish, fountaining lava in its summit crater. Temblor talks with volcanologist Michael Poland about what the …
When preparing for earthquakes, don’t forget the small ones
A recent study concludes that small- to moderate-sized earthquakes are greater contributors to earthquake hazard and risk than large earthquakes. By D’Maia Curry, freelance science writer Citation: Curry, …
Dispatches from AGU
Friday’s coverage of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2020 Fall Meeting focuses on preparing for cascading hazards, searching for unusual subduction zone earthquakes and helping illuminate earthquake hazard in Haiti. …
American Geophysical Union meeting brings student research to light
Welcome to Temblor’s coverage of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2020 Fall Meeting! Today (Thursday, December 10, for those keeping track), we focus on student-led research that our readers might …
M6.1 earthquake in Taiwan
A M6.1 earthquake struck Taiwan late last night off the island’s eastern coast. Shaking was felt as far away as Hong Kong. The region sits on a relatively complex …
Surface deformation observed in moderate Greek quake
By Sotiris Valkaniotis, Ph.D., Koronidos Str., Greece and Athanassios Ganas, Ph.D., National Observatory of Athens, Institute of Geodynamics Citation: Valkaniotis, S., and Ganas, A., 2020, Surface deformation observed in …
M5.0 quake strikes Eastern Turkey
By: Haluk Eyidoğan, Ph.D., Professor of Seismology, İstanbul Technical University Citation: Eyidoğan, H., 2020, M5.0 quake strikes Eastern Turkey, Temblor, http://doi.org/10.32858/temblor.142 A M5.0 earthquake struck Thursday in …
To find a Black Swan event, think about the unthinkable
Rare catastrophic events prove hard to predict, but catastrophist Gordon Woo posits a methodical way to think through just how bad future disasters might be. By Alka Tripathy-Lang, Ph.D., …
M 6.1 earthquake offshore Chile
A M 6.1 earthquake struck offshore of Central Chile yesterday. The quake occurred on the edge of the rupture extent of the 2010 M 8.8 Maule earthquake. Large earthquakes …
Hospitals can coordinate to save lives after an earthquake
A new method helps hospitals prepare to promptly treat the most severely injured patients right after a major earthquake. By, Elizabeth Goldbaum, Science Writer (@EFGoldbaum) Citation: Goldbaum, E, …
İzmir’de, 30 Ekim Ege Denizi depreminden kaynaklanan bina hasarlarının nedenleri incelendi
İzmir’de 30 Ekim depreminde birçok bina çöktü. Şehir genelinde potansiyel deprem yer hareketlerinin belirlemesinin daha iyi yapılması ve deprem şartnamesine uyum, kuvvetli deprem yer hareketlerine dayanıklı binaların tasarlanmasını sağlayacaktır. …
Forensic analysis reveals the causes of building damage in İzmir in the Oct. 30 Aegean Sea earthquake
Several buildings in İzmir collapsed during the Oct. 30 earthquake. Code compliance with better assessments of potential ground motion throughout the city would ensure the design of buildings to withstand …
California coalition kicks off resilience webinar series this week
Natural hazards don’t have to become natural disasters if you properly prepare. That’s called resilience. And it’s the focus of a free year-long webinar series that starts this week. …
Ancient earthquake’s ruins may signal future quakes near Dead Sea Fault
Multidisciplinary research on archaeological sites in Israel suggests a different fault than originally thought damaged the city in the eighth century and may rupture again. By Vanessa Vieites, science …
Ready-to-roll rocks improve seismic hazard models
Researchers use precariously balanced rocks to reduce uncertainties in seismic hazard models for California’s Central Coast. By Akash Kharita, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee Citation: Kharita, A., 2020, …
Samos (Sisam) depreminin 48 saat sonrasında neler biliyoruz?
Ege Denizi adalarından Samos, 116 yıl sonra yeniden büyük bir depremle sarsıldı. Yazar: Margarita Segou, Ph.D., Birleşik Krallık Jeoloji Kurumu Alıntı: Segou, M., 2020, Samos depreminin 48 saat …
M3.6 quake shakes northeastern U.S.
A M3.6 quake shook the northeastern U.S. yesterday, including major cities such as Boston and New York. Although earthquakes of this magnitude are rare in this part of the …
A surprisingly weak fault led to a massive earthquake
A team of scientists puts together the whole picture on what caused the extreme magnitude and slip during the 2011 magnitude-9 Tohoku earthquake, and overturns a long-held scientific law. …
Fault responsible for Samos earthquake identified
Preliminary data indicate that the fault that ruptured in the Samos earthquake slipped 6 feet (1.8 meters). By Athanassios Ganas, National Observatory of Athens, Institute of Geodynamics Panagiotis Elias, National …
Τι ξέρουμε 24 ώρες μετά το σεισμό της Σάμου?
Το νησί της Σάμου χτυπήθηκε από δυνατό σεισμό μετά από 116 χρόνια Δρ. Μαργαρίτα Σέγκου, Βρετανική Γεωλογική Υπηρεσία παραπομπή: Σέγκου, Μ., 2020, Το νησί της Σάμου χτυπήθηκε από …
Earthquakes in Turkey support two disparate models of earthquake initiation
By Miguel Neves, Ph.D. Candidate, Georgia Institute of Technology (@Waves2Miguel) A new study based on earthquakes in the Marmara Sea, Turkey, showed how a moderate earthquake initiated and suggests …
What do we know 48 hours after the Samos earthquake?
The Aegean Sea island of Samos is struck by another large earthquake after 116 years. By Margarita Segou, Ph.D., British Geological Survey Citation: Segou, M., 2020, What do …
Magnitude-7.0 quake strikes Aegean Sea
A strong earthquake rattled Turkey and Greece today, causing significant damage and a tsunami that flooded parts of Seferihisar, Turkey, and the Greek island of Samos. By Jennifer Schmidt, …
M 7.0 quake rattles Turkey and Greece
A M 7.0 earthquake rattled Western Turkey and Eastern Greece today. The epicenter is located within the Aegean Sea, north of Samos. Reports of severe damaged in Izmir. …
Two moderate quakes rattle Batangas City
M5.0 and M4.4 quakes struck near Batangas City in the Philippines this morning. The region is at risk of strong shaking according to Temblor’s hazard model. The nearby 1994 …
Alaska’s double quakes exceed expectations
Last week’s magnitude-7.6 Alaska quake raises questions about the nature of aftershocks. By Elisabeth Nadin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks Citation: Nadin, E., 2020, Alaska’s double …
Large quakes make rocks jump
During large quakes, rocks can jump or shift from their initial locations. How far they traveled tells scientists how much the ground moved during rupture. By Alka Tripathy-Lang, Ph. …
Ridgecrest quake shook tall LA buildings up to 4 times more than expected
Ground motions in Los Angeles Basin show up to four times greater shaking than expected from the Ridgecrest earthquake. by Laura Fattaruso, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, UMass Amherst (@labtalk_laura) …
Earthquake hazard maps may overestimate shaking dangers
Scientists working on the California Historical Intensity Mapping Project compare quake-shaking forecasts to measured shaking intensity, with some surprising results. By Julie Pierce Onos (@JuliePierceOnos) Citation: Pierce Onos, …
How do people use aftershock forecasts? The survey says…
Surveys reveal how different stakeholders used aftershock forecasts following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake in New Zealand. By D’Maia Curry, freelance science writer Citation: Curry, D., 2020, How do people …
A ShakeOut focus on resilience
As millions of people participate in earthquake drills as part of the ShakeOut, resilience experts note the importance of preparation, especially for businesses. A new resilience webinar series was announced. …
Orta şiddetli deprem Orta Anadolu’da (Türkiye) büyük bir makaslama zonunun bulunduğunu hatırlatıyor
Orta Anadolu’nun (Türkiye) oldukça büyük bir bölümünü kesen hipotetik bir makaslama zonunda orta şiddette bir deprem oldu. Haluk Eyidoğan, Ph.D., Sismoloji Profesörü, İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Citation: Eyidoğan, H., …
Moderate quake indicates large shear zone present in Central Turkey
A moderate quake struck on a hypothetical shear zone that cuts through a sizable portion of Central Turkey. By: Haluk Eyidoğan, Ph.D., Professor of Seismology, İstanbul Technical University …
Earthquake swarm rattles ground near new Calaveras Dam
A series of small earthquakes near the recently built Calaveras Dam replacement is a reminder of the significant seismic hazard at the new dam site. By Melissa L. Weber, …
Opinion: What fighting California wildfires teaches us about earthquake response
Ross Stein tells a story of how a group of residents saved their neighborhood from the recent CZU Lightening Complex Fire in this 3.5-minute video. By Ross Stein, Ph.D., …
Moderate quake rattles Los Angeles: A Q&A with Egill Hauksson and John Shaw
Two leading geoscientists weigh in on what the Sept. 18, magnitude-4.5 earthquake means for Los Angeles. “[This quake] tells us there may be even more active faults below the surface …
California’s Salton Sea rumbles again
An earthquake swarm south of the Salton Sea fired off hundreds of quakes in the past 24 hours, including a magnitude-4.9 jolt felt as far away as San Diego. …
Himalayan range awaits large quakes
The faults bounding the Himalayan range front could produce great earthquakes, similar to those which struck the Aleutian arc during the twentieth century. By Akash Kharita, Indian Institute of …
Fault ‘scratches’ offer clues to rupture direction
Researchers have discovered a pattern in slickenlines — scratches on fault surfaces — that can be used to determine which way a fault ruptured in a past earthquake. By …
Ocean acoustics confirm rising sea temperatures
Researchers devised a way to measure changes in ocean temperature using earthquakes. By mining historical seismic records, researchers got a glimpse of past ocean trends. By Shi En Kim …
Preparing for an earthquake during a pandemic
COVID-19 infection rates would rise if a large earthquake occurred during the pandemic. Researchers say that the number of resulting new cases depends on whether authorities prepare now. By …
Baja quakes highlight seismic risk in northern Mexico
A magnitude-5.1 earthquake that recently occurred in Baja California, Mexico was felt as far as Los Angeles, California. What is the seismic risk imposed by the faults in Baja California? …
The Great Quake Debate: an interview with seismologist and author Susan Hough
In the early 1900s, debate raged about Southern California’s earthquake risk. Intrigued by the adversaries, seismologist Susan Hough wrote a book about it. By Alka Tripathy-Lang, Ph.D (@DrAlkaTrip) …
Seismic sensors on the ground record auroras in the sky
A recent study shows that seismometers on the ground are behaving like magnetometers that record auroral activity in Alaska. By Jeng Hann Chong, Cal State University Northridge Citation: …
Rural areas may suffer disproportionately in quakes
Location matters: Seismologists studying historical casualty estimates after large earthquakes suggest future rescue efforts should look for rural-area victims. By Melissa L. Weber, MA (@Melwriter) Citation: Weber, M., …
Ground vibrations in the time of coronavirus
The quieting of seismic noise during the coronavirus lockdown may help scientists understand Earth’s natural vibrations. By Elizabeth Goldbaum, Science Writer (@EFGoldbaum) Citation: Goldbaum, E., 2020, Ground vibrations …
Rapid climate change caused Las Vegas fault to shake
A fault that lies beneath north Las Vegas has now been shown to have tectonic origins — with implications for seismic hazards in Las Vegas. New research reveals when and …
Salton Sea Swarm quiets down
An earthquake swarm under the Salton Sea appears to be calming down after a day, but scientists continue to keep a close eye on the region.
Magnitude-5.1 earthquake rattles southeastern U.S.
Yesterday’s magnitude-5.1 quake in western North Carolina was felt throughout the southeastern U.S. Although it came as a shock, a quake of this magnitude is not unexpected. By John …
Some tectonic plates ‘wobble’ before major earthquakes
Scientists are getting new clues about seismic activity before large earthquakes along subduction zones by measuring tectonic wobbles in Japan and Chile. By Chelsea Scott, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist, …
Fault geometry plays a role in San Andreas ruptures
Computer simulations help researchers understand the range of possible outcomes of a rupture when key details of the San Andreas Fault are still unknown. By: Shi En Kim (@goes_by_kim) …
Does Alaska’s magnitude-7.8 Simeonof earthquake finally close a seismic gap?
A magnitude-7.8 quake struck near the mostly uninhabited Shumagin Islands on July 22, 2020, potentially closing a large seismic gap along the Aleutian trench. By Elisabeth Nadin, Associate Professor, …
Hydrated oceanic crust supports benign plate movement at subduction zones
New research suggests that water-rich rocks present along subduction zone boundaries may cause these areas to ‘creep’ along without generating earthquakes. By Melanie Chan, @mellojellochan Citation: Chan, M. …
Ancient rock structures guided rupture pathway in Australian quake
A recent study finds that ancient rock structures in Australia that formed over 500 million years ago determined the pathway of a 2016 earthquake. By Helen Santoro, freelance science …
Ridgecrest earthquakes could cause a San Andreas chain reaction
The 2019 Ridgecrest quakes stressed the Garlock Fault. If it ruptured in a large shock, it would likely trigger a San Andreas earthquake north of Los Angeles. By Ross …
Crowdsourcing Earthquake Early Warning Systems
Smartphone usage may provide a global earthquake early warning system through crowdsourced motion detection with the MyShake app. By Melissa L Weber, M.A., freelance science writer (@Melwriter) Citation: …
Subducting plate angle dictates tsunami threat during large earthquakes
Researchers link subducting plate angle to earthquake events that produce larger than normal tsunamis — helpful information for future tsunami risk awareness. By: Danielle Woodring, M.S., structural geologist/science writer …
Tree rings and statistics team up to date earthquakes
A recent paleoseismic study used a new method to identify the timing of past earthquakes that occurred in the Monterey Bay area prior to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. …
Imaging from 22,000 small earthquakes reveals fault zone intricacies
New high-res 3D images of a fault zone show how fluid movement causes an earthquake swarm. By Julie Pierce Onos (@JuliePierceOnos) Citation: Pierce Onos, J. 2020, Imaging from …
Magnitude-5.9 quake is the latest and largest in Tokyo seismic swarm
Six magnitude-5.0+ shocks have struck greater Tokyo since April 1st, part of a larger swarm that extends north to Hokkaido, at a rate that is about three times higher than …