Images

USGS Rob Anthony sets up equipment in a freezer to test a Seismometer Interface Module at the Physical Sciences Laboratory in Stoughton, Wisconsin on Aug. 7, 2025. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)

USGS Rob Anthony puts in the Seismometer Interface Module while assembling a seismometer at the Physical Sciences Laboratory in Stoughton, Wisconsin on Aug. 7, 2025. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)

Nicholas Pelyk, Jason Patton, Rob Anthony, and Skyler Grulke slide a part into the tube while assembling a seismometer at the Physical Sciences Laboratory in Stoughton, Wisconsin on Aug. 7, 2025. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)

Jason Patton, Rob Anthony (USGS), and Skyler Grulke assemble a seismometer at the Physical Sciences Laboratory in Stoughton, Wisconsin on Aug. 7, 2025. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)

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 2024 International Building Code Seismic Design Categories and Risk Categories.

An example of Bayesian updating of productivity parameter (a-value) for the 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule, Chile, earthquake. Immediately following the earthquake, the SZ-GENERIC region-specific a-value distribution can be used.

Screenshot of the Aftershock Forecast for an earthquake in California, showing the information box at the top of the forecast and the four tabs of forecast information.

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 P_seq-spec(a) instead of P_generic(a).

Screenshot of the Aftershock Forecast for an earthquake in California, with the “Summary” tab selected, and “M4+” and “Show All” selections for magnitude and forecast duration.

Screenshot of the Aftershock Forecast for an earthquake in California, with the “Summary” tab selected, and “M4+” and “Show All” selections for magnitude and forecast duration.
 

Screenshot of the Aftershock Forecast for an earthquake in California, with the “Forecast Table” tab selected.

Screenshot of the Overview webpage for an earthquake in California. The “Aftershock Forecast” card is at lower center.

Screenshot of the Aftershock Forecast for an earthquake in California, with the “Summary” tab selected, and “Show All” and “1 Month” selections for magnitude and forecast duration.

NATIONAL LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAP

POSTFIRE DEBRIS FLOW SCIENCE

The U.S. Geological Survey helps local, state, and federal agencies assess debris flow hazards in recently burned areas. We provide information about the likelihood of debris flow activity, where they might happen, and how big they might be.

DEBRIS FLOW ASSESSMENTS

LANDSLIDE SAFETY

If your home or property was damaged by a landslide from Hurricane Helene, be aware of the warning signs of future landslide activity

WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS

Signs a landslide may be moving include:

Arial view from the North of the Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory on the Kirtland Air Force Base about 15 miles southeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

(a) Photograph of instruments being tested in the East portion of the underground vault. (b) Wench and location of three boreholes in the West portion of the underground vault. (c) Cross-tunnel and recording equipment for the reference sensor vault.

Locations of the Global Seismographic Network (GSN) stations. USGS GSN sites are shown as pink circles and IRIS/IDA stations are shown as green circles. (as of October 2024)

Coordinates of photographer: Latitude: 35° 44’ 16.08” N Longitude: 82° 8’ 20.04” W

Date: 10/17/24

Caption: Damage caused by a large mudflow in Buck Creek near Marion, NC.

Taken during Hurricane Helene LASER response