USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1 study area.
What is a seismic zone, or seismic hazard zone?
Although you may hear the terms “seismic zone” and “seismic hazard zone” used interchangeably, they really describe two slightly different things. A seismic zone is used to describe an area where earthquakes tend to focus; for example, the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the Central United States. A seismic hazard zone describes an area with a particular level of hazard due to earthquakes. Typically, a high seismic hazard zone is nearest a seismic zone where there are more earthquakes, and a lower seismic hazard zone is farther away from a seismic zone.
Some confusion may arise as well on the California Geological Survey website which has a site for hazards zones “EQ Zapp: California Earthquake Hazards Zone" but also one for fault zones “Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones.”
There was also a seismic zone system (0,1,2,3,4) used for building codes that is now obsolete. See the last question here: Earthquake Hazards 201 - Technical Q&A
Related
What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used? What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used?
Seismic hazard is the hazard associated with potential earthquakes in a particular area, and a seismic hazard map shows the relative hazards in different areas. The maps are made by considering what we currently know about: Past faults and earthquakes The behavior of seismic waves as they travel through different parts of the U.S. crust The near-surface site conditions at specific locations of...
What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live? What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live?
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property? How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property?
Published maps will only provide generalized, uninterpreted information about specific areas. Every property consists of a unique combination of geologic and structural factors that must be considered to determine what might happen to a house during an earthquake. Therefore, an individual site study is necessary. Geologic factors include: type of underlying material, depth to bedrock, depth of...
How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance? How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance?
You should consider the following factors when deciding whether or not to get earthquake insurance: proximity to active earthquake faults seismic history of the region (frequency of earthquakes) time since last earthquake building construction (type of building and foundation) architectural layout materials used quality of workmanship extent to which earthquake resistance was considered by the...
How do earthquakes affect buildings? How do earthquakes affect buildings?
Ground shaking is the primary cause of earthquake damage to man-made structures. Many factors influence the strength of earthquake shaking at a site including the earthquake's magnitude, the site's proximity to the fault, the local geology, and the soil type. More than 250 structures throughout the United States have been outfitted with seismic sensors by the USGS National Strong Motion Project...
What is the likelihood of a large earthquake at location X? Is it safe to go to X since they've been having a lot of earthquakes lately? What is the likelihood of a large earthquake at location X? Is it safe to go to X since they've been having a lot of earthquakes lately?
The National Seismic Hazards Mapping project provides an online Web tool for determining the probability of a large earthquake within 50 kilometers (~31 miles) of a specific location in the United States over a certain time period. The calculation is based on the latest available information from seismic hazard data. However, asking if it's safe to travel somewhere because of recent earthquakes is...
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1 study area.
Related
What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used? What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used?
Seismic hazard is the hazard associated with potential earthquakes in a particular area, and a seismic hazard map shows the relative hazards in different areas. The maps are made by considering what we currently know about: Past faults and earthquakes The behavior of seismic waves as they travel through different parts of the U.S. crust The near-surface site conditions at specific locations of...
What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live? What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live?
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property? How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property?
Published maps will only provide generalized, uninterpreted information about specific areas. Every property consists of a unique combination of geologic and structural factors that must be considered to determine what might happen to a house during an earthquake. Therefore, an individual site study is necessary. Geologic factors include: type of underlying material, depth to bedrock, depth of...
How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance? How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance?
You should consider the following factors when deciding whether or not to get earthquake insurance: proximity to active earthquake faults seismic history of the region (frequency of earthquakes) time since last earthquake building construction (type of building and foundation) architectural layout materials used quality of workmanship extent to which earthquake resistance was considered by the...
How do earthquakes affect buildings? How do earthquakes affect buildings?
Ground shaking is the primary cause of earthquake damage to man-made structures. Many factors influence the strength of earthquake shaking at a site including the earthquake's magnitude, the site's proximity to the fault, the local geology, and the soil type. More than 250 structures throughout the United States have been outfitted with seismic sensors by the USGS National Strong Motion Project...
What is the likelihood of a large earthquake at location X? Is it safe to go to X since they've been having a lot of earthquakes lately? What is the likelihood of a large earthquake at location X? Is it safe to go to X since they've been having a lot of earthquakes lately?
The National Seismic Hazards Mapping project provides an online Web tool for determining the probability of a large earthquake within 50 kilometers (~31 miles) of a specific location in the United States over a certain time period. The calculation is based on the latest available information from seismic hazard data. However, asking if it's safe to travel somewhere because of recent earthquakes is...
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1 study area.
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1
USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1USGS scientists conduct passive seismic study in the Washita Reach 1 study area.
Updated Date: July 23, 2025