Are earthquakes associated with variations in the geomagnetic field?
Electromagnetic variations have been observed after earthquakes, but despite decades of work, there is no convincing evidence of electromagnetic precursors to earthquakes. It is worth acknowledging that geophysicists would actually love to demonstrate the reality of such precursors, especially if they could be used for reliably predicting earthquakes!
Learn more: USGS Geomagnetism Program
Related Content
Do solar flares or magnetic storms (space weather) cause earthquakes?
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Can the ground open up during an earthquake?
Will California eventually fall into the ocean?
Is there earthquake weather?
Can animals predict earthquakes?
Why are we having so many earthquakes? Has naturally occurring earthquake activity been increasing? Does this mean a big one is going to hit? OR We haven't had any earthquakes in a long time; does this mean that the pressure is building up for a big one?
Can "MegaQuakes" really happen? Like a magnitude 10 or larger?
Can you predict earthquakes?
The geomagnetic blitz of September 1941
Seventy-five years ago, on 18–19 September 1941, the Earth experienced a great magnetic storm, one of the most intense ever recorded. It arrived at a poignant moment in history, when radio and electrical technology was emerging as a central part of daily life and when much of the world was embroiled in World War II, which the United States...
Love, Jeffrey J.; Coisson, Pierdavide The USGS Geomagnetism Program and its role in Space-Weather Monitoring
Magnetic storms result from the dynamic interaction of the solar wind with the coupled magnetospheric-ionospheric system. Large storms represent a potential hazard for the activities and infrastructure of a modern, technologically based society [Baker et al., 2008]; they can cause the loss of radio communications, reduce the accuracy of global...
Love, Jeffrey J.; Finn, Carol A.
Documentation for a web site to serve ULF-EM (Ultra-Low Frequency Electromagnetic) data to the public
The Stanford Ultra-Low Frequency Electromagnetic (ULF-EM) Monitoring Project is recording naturally varying electromagnetic signals adjacent to active earthquake faults, in an attempt to establish whether there is any variation in these signals associated with earthquakes. Our project is collaborative between Stanford University, the U.S....
Neumann, Danny A.; McPherson, Selwyn; Klemperer, Simon L.; Glen, Jonathan M.G.; McPhee, Darcy K.; Kappler, Karl
The Parkfield experiment; capturing what happens in an earthquake
To better understand what happens on and near a fault before, during, and after an earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the California Geological Survey began the Parkfield Earthquake Experiment in the 1980's. Researchers from the USGS and collaborating institutions have created a dense network of instruments on the San Andreas Fault...
Hickman, Steve; Langbein, John; Stauffer, Peter H. USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed new probabilistic seismic hazard maps for the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. These hazard maps form the basis of the probabilistic component of the design maps used in the 1997 edition of the NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures...
Frankel, A.D.; Mueller, C.S.; Barnhard, T.P.; Leyendecker, E.V.; Wesson, R.L.; Harmsen, S.C.; Klein, F.W.; Perkins, D.M.; Dickman, N.C.; Hanson, S.L.; Hopper, M.G.
Geomagnetism applications
The social uses of geomagnetism include the physics of the space environment, satellite damage, pipeline corrosion, electric power-grid failure, communication interference, global positioning disruption, mineral-resource detection, interpretation of the Earth's formation and structure, navigation, weather, and magnetoreception in organisms. The...
Campbell, Wallace H. The geomagnetic jerk of 1969 and the DGRFs
Cubic spline fits to the DGRF/IGRF series indicate agreement with other analyses showing the 1969-1970 magnetic jerk in the h ??12 and g ??02 secular change coefficients, and agreement that the h ??11 term showed no sharp change. The variation of the g ??01 term is out of phase with other analyses indicating a likely error in its representation in...
Thompson, D.; Cain, J.C. Understand earthquake hazards
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Spall, Henry
New 3D Measurements Improve Understanding of Geomagnetic Storm Hazards
Measurements of the three-dimensional structure of the earth, as opposed to the one-dimensional models typically used, can help scientists more accurately determine which areas of the United States are most vulnerable to blackouts during hazardous geomagnetic storms.
Natural Hazards of 2016
Reflecting on 2016 hazards serves as a reminder of the dangers we face and the need for preparedness to save lives and property.
New Audiences, New Products for the National Seismic Hazard Maps
New Audiences, New Products for the National Seismic Hazard Maps
A 100-year-long History of Earthquakes and Seismic Monitoring in Hawaii
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s 1912–2012 Centennial—100 Years of Tracking Eruptions and Earthquakes
HAWAI‘I ISLAND, Hawaii —The history of earthquakes and seismic monitoring in Hawai‘i during the past century will be the topic of a presentation at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo on Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Earthquake Hazard Maps Show How the Nation Shakes with Quakes
Friday's magnitude-5.2 earthquake in southern Illinois is a reminder that earthquakes are a national hazard.
Are You Safe When A Natural Hazard Strikes? Learn How Science Can Help Reduce the Risk of Loss of Life and Property When Natural Hazards Occur
Reston, VA – More Americans are at risk from being severely impacted by natural hazards now than any other time in our nation’s history.
Deploying Electromagnetic Sensors
USGS and Oregon State University scientists deploying electromagnetic sensors in the field.
RESOLVE Bird Used for Collection of Airborne Electromagnetic Data
A low-flying helicopter will carry this large cylindrical sensor, called a bird, to measure physical properties of the Big Sioux aquifer below the Earth's surface. More information on the airborne electromagnetic method is available at https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20163075.
Airborne Electromagnetic Data Collection Over an Agricultural Field
Airborne electromagnetic data collection over an agricultural field near Sioux Falls, SD. The bird is suspended from a helicopter as it transmits and receives electromagnetic signals to the ground, which are used to interpret characteristics of the aquifer. More information on the airborne electromagnetic method is available at
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Electromagnetic Survey-Long Island
Electromagnetic Survey
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Chart showing the Earth’s magnetic feild
This is one of five world charts showing the declination, inclination, horizontal intensity, vertical component, and total intensity of the Earth’s magnetic field at mean sea level at the beginning of 2005. The charts are based on the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) main model for 2005 and secular change model for 2005-2010. The IGRF is referenced to the
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