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Plots of earthquake magnitudes (top) and numbers (bottom) over the course of the July 8-15 seismic swarm at Mount Rainier, Washington. The swarm was greatest in terms of numbers of events on the morning of July 8. After that time, earthquake rates slowly decreased over the course of the following days.
Plots of earthquake magnitudes (top) and numbers (bottom) over the course of the July 8-15 seismic swarm at Mount Rainier, Washington. The swarm was greatest in terms of numbers of events on the morning of July 8. After that time, earthquake rates slowly decreased over the course of the following days.
Map of the United States and its territories showing 2024 International Building Code Seismic Design Categories and Risk Categories.
Map of the United States and its territories showing 2024 International Building Code Seismic Design Categories and Risk Categories.
Map of the United States and its territories showing the distribution of average annualized earthquake losses by region (modified from Jaiswal and others, 2023). Economic losses from earthquakes in these nine regions are estimated to average \$14.7 billion dollars per year.
Map of the United States and its territories showing the distribution of average annualized earthquake losses by region (modified from Jaiswal and others, 2023). Economic losses from earthquakes in these nine regions are estimated to average \$14.7 billion dollars per year.
10 Largest Earthquakes Ever Recorded
#10. MAGNITUDE 8.6 (2012). Sumatra, Indonesia - Located off the coast of northern Sumatra, this quake produced heavy shaking, but only a handful of fatalities, mostly caused by heart attacks.
10 Largest Earthquakes Ever Recorded
#10. MAGNITUDE 8.6 (2012). Sumatra, Indonesia - Located off the coast of northern Sumatra, this quake produced heavy shaking, but only a handful of fatalities, mostly caused by heart attacks.
The graphic shows the last 17 solar cycles and their related increased sunspot activity. A solar cycle is a roughly 11-year periodic change in the Sun characterized by variations in the number and intensity of sunspots, as well as a flipping of its magnetic poles.
The graphic shows the last 17 solar cycles and their related increased sunspot activity. A solar cycle is a roughly 11-year periodic change in the Sun characterized by variations in the number and intensity of sunspots, as well as a flipping of its magnetic poles.
Aftershock Forecast Sequence-Specific Model Parameters equation
The probability distribution for the number of aftershocks, P(N), and the forecast can then be computed using the same procedures as for the generic model, using Pseq-spec(a) instead of Pgeneric(a).
Aftershock Forecast Sequence-Specific Model Parameters equation
The probability distribution for the number of aftershocks, P(N), and the forecast can then be computed using the same procedures as for the generic model, using Pseq-spec(a) instead of Pgeneric(a).
Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the US, and one of the largest in the world. The boiling lake was named for the spectacular array of colors along its rim.
Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the US, and one of the largest in the world. The boiling lake was named for the spectacular array of colors along its rim.
There’s a lot of hot water in Yellowstone. What’s it heated by? The magma chamber beneath the surface, of course!
There’s a lot of hot water in Yellowstone. What’s it heated by? The magma chamber beneath the surface, of course!
If you want to find a lava flow in Yellowstone, look to the trees! The vegetation is telling us more than you might think.
YVO Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland reveals how vegetation can be used to map geology in this month's update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
If you want to find a lava flow in Yellowstone, look to the trees! The vegetation is telling us more than you might think.
YVO Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland reveals how vegetation can be used to map geology in this month's update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Computer simulation of shaking during the April 14, 2025 M5.2 Julian, CA earthquake. As the waves propagate away from the epicenter they interact with different geologic materials, which can slow down and amplify the shaking.
Computer simulation of shaking during the April 14, 2025 M5.2 Julian, CA earthquake. As the waves propagate away from the epicenter they interact with different geologic materials, which can slow down and amplify the shaking.
The frequency and scale of landslides in a region are determined by both external forcing and inherent, site-specific susceptibility.
The frequency and scale of landslides in a region are determined by both external forcing and inherent, site-specific susceptibility.
Well look at this mess! What’s going on?
We’re just south of Mammoth Hot Springs at a place informally known as the Hoodoos. The official designation for the area is Silver Gate, named by an early Yellowstone National Park visitor because of the way the road wound between the closely spaced white and gray boulders.
Well look at this mess! What’s going on?
We’re just south of Mammoth Hot Springs at a place informally known as the Hoodoos. The official designation for the area is Silver Gate, named by an early Yellowstone National Park visitor because of the way the road wound between the closely spaced white and gray boulders.
USGS scientists remember where they were during the 1992 Landers earthquake in Southern California
USGS scientists remember where they were during the 1992 Landers earthquake in Southern California
USGS seismologist Susan Hough recalls what the 1992 Landers earthquake felt like from Pasadena, CA.
USGS seismologist Susan Hough recalls what the 1992 Landers earthquake felt like from Pasadena, CA.
USGS seismologist Andrew Michael talks about the remote location of the 1992 Landers earthquake and how researchers were able to use satellite data to better see the quake’s impacts.
USGS seismologist Andrew Michael talks about the remote location of the 1992 Landers earthquake and how researchers were able to use satellite data to better see the quake’s impacts.
USGS seismologist Susan Hough talks about her role following the 1992 Landers earthquake and seismic monitoring stations in Southern California.
USGS seismologist Susan Hough talks about her role following the 1992 Landers earthquake and seismic monitoring stations in Southern California.
USGS field technician Scott Lydeen recalls what the aftermath of the 1992 Landers earthquake looked like.
USGS field technician Scott Lydeen recalls what the aftermath of the 1992 Landers earthquake looked like.
USGS seismologist Susan Hough described the Southern California Seismic Network and how it was used for the 1992 Landers earthquake.
USGS seismologist Susan Hough described the Southern California Seismic Network and how it was used for the 1992 Landers earthquake.
A coastal camera located on Medeira Beach, Florida near the Shoreline Island Resort.
A coastal camera located on Medeira Beach, Florida near the Shoreline Island Resort.
This static image is from a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory research camera located at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, north of Mount St. Helens. The view is to the south. This camera is intended to assist the USGS with situational awareness. At times, clouds, rain, and snow obscure visibility.
This static image is from a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory research camera located at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, north of Mount St. Helens. The view is to the south. This camera is intended to assist the USGS with situational awareness. At times, clouds, rain, and snow obscure visibility.
Most recent snapshot from Camera 2 at Madeira Beach, Florida. Camera hosted by Shoreline Island Resort.
Most recent snapshot from Camera 2 at Madeira Beach, Florida. Camera hosted by Shoreline Island Resort.
Two video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes.
Two video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes.
Two video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes.
Two video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes.
Two video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes.
Two video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes.
