PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early Warning
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early WarningTitle: ShakeAlert: The Path to West Coast Earthquake Early Warning ... how a few seconds can save lives and property
At what magnitude does damage begin to occur in an earthquake?
It isn't that simple. There is not one magnitude above which damage will occur. It depends on other variables, such as the distance from the earthquake, what type of soil you are on, building construction, etc. That being said, damage does not usually occur until the earthquake magnitude reaches somewhere above 4 or 5.
Learn more:
Related
What does an earthquake feel like? What does an earthquake feel like?
The way an earthquake feels depends on where you are, where the earthquake is, and how big the earthquake is: A large earthquake nearby will feel like a sudden large jolt followed quickly by more strong shaking that may last a few seconds or up to a couple of minutes if it's a rare great event. The shaking will feel violent and it will be difficult to stand up. The contents of your house will be a...
What are those booms I sometimes hear before or during an earthquake? What are those booms I sometimes hear before or during an earthquake?
"Booms" have been reported for a long time, and they tend to occur more in the Northeastern US and along the East Coast. Of course, most "booms" that people hear or experience are actually some type of cultural noise, such as some type of explosion, a large vehicle going by, or sometimes a sonic boom, but there have been many reports of "booms" that cannot be explained by man-made sources. No one...
Why do earthquakes in other countries seem to cause more damage and casualties than earthquakes in the U.S.? Why do earthquakes in other countries seem to cause more damage and casualties than earthquakes in the U.S.?
There is more damage and more deaths from earthquakes in other parts of the world primarily because of buildings which are poorly designed and constructed for earthquake regions, and population density.
How does an earthquake affect groundwater levels and water quality in wells? How does an earthquake affect groundwater levels and water quality in wells?
Groundwater levels in wells can oscillate up and down when seismic waves pass. The water level might remain higher or lower for a period of time after the seismic waves end, but sometimes a long-term offset of groundwater levels follows an earthquake. The largest recorded earthquake-induced offset in a well is a one meter rise. Water quality can also be affected by earthquakes, typically in...
Where can I find photographs of earthquake damage? Where can I find photographs of earthquake damage?
Two sources for photographs that show earthquake damage are: Earthquake Hazards Program - Earthquake Photo Collections U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library (see 'earthquakes' in the categories left column)
What is liquefaction? What is liquefaction?
Liquefaction takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking. Liquefaction occurring beneath buildings and other structures can cause major damage during earthquakes. For example, the 1964 Niigata earthquake caused widespread liquefaction in Niigata, Japan which destroyed many buildings. Also, during the...
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early Warning
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early Warning
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early WarningTitle: ShakeAlert: The Path to West Coast Earthquake Early Warning ... how a few seconds can save lives and property
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied Expectations
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied ExpectationsScientists have long known that large earthquakes will inevitably occur along the Himalaya front.
Experts had long feared that large earthquakes would take a devastating toll on Nepal.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people, but the toll was not as catastrophic as had been feared.
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied Expectations
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied ExpectationsScientists have long known that large earthquakes will inevitably occur along the Himalaya front.
Experts had long feared that large earthquakes would take a devastating toll on Nepal.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people, but the toll was not as catastrophic as had been feared.
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs later
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs laterby Brad Aagaard, USGS Research Geophysicist
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs later
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs laterby Brad Aagaard, USGS Research Geophysicist
At what magnitude does damage begin to occur in an earthquake?
At what magnitude does damage begin to occur in an earthquake?Listen to hear the answer.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Related
What does an earthquake feel like? What does an earthquake feel like?
The way an earthquake feels depends on where you are, where the earthquake is, and how big the earthquake is: A large earthquake nearby will feel like a sudden large jolt followed quickly by more strong shaking that may last a few seconds or up to a couple of minutes if it's a rare great event. The shaking will feel violent and it will be difficult to stand up. The contents of your house will be a...
What are those booms I sometimes hear before or during an earthquake? What are those booms I sometimes hear before or during an earthquake?
"Booms" have been reported for a long time, and they tend to occur more in the Northeastern US and along the East Coast. Of course, most "booms" that people hear or experience are actually some type of cultural noise, such as some type of explosion, a large vehicle going by, or sometimes a sonic boom, but there have been many reports of "booms" that cannot be explained by man-made sources. No one...
Why do earthquakes in other countries seem to cause more damage and casualties than earthquakes in the U.S.? Why do earthquakes in other countries seem to cause more damage and casualties than earthquakes in the U.S.?
There is more damage and more deaths from earthquakes in other parts of the world primarily because of buildings which are poorly designed and constructed for earthquake regions, and population density.
How does an earthquake affect groundwater levels and water quality in wells? How does an earthquake affect groundwater levels and water quality in wells?
Groundwater levels in wells can oscillate up and down when seismic waves pass. The water level might remain higher or lower for a period of time after the seismic waves end, but sometimes a long-term offset of groundwater levels follows an earthquake. The largest recorded earthquake-induced offset in a well is a one meter rise. Water quality can also be affected by earthquakes, typically in...
Where can I find photographs of earthquake damage? Where can I find photographs of earthquake damage?
Two sources for photographs that show earthquake damage are: Earthquake Hazards Program - Earthquake Photo Collections U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library (see 'earthquakes' in the categories left column)
What is liquefaction? What is liquefaction?
Liquefaction takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking. Liquefaction occurring beneath buildings and other structures can cause major damage during earthquakes. For example, the 1964 Niigata earthquake caused widespread liquefaction in Niigata, Japan which destroyed many buildings. Also, during the...
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early Warning
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early WarningTitle: ShakeAlert: The Path to West Coast Earthquake Early Warning ... how a few seconds can save lives and property
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early Warning
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early WarningTitle: ShakeAlert: The Path to West Coast Earthquake Early Warning ... how a few seconds can save lives and property
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied Expectations
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied ExpectationsScientists have long known that large earthquakes will inevitably occur along the Himalaya front.
Experts had long feared that large earthquakes would take a devastating toll on Nepal.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people, but the toll was not as catastrophic as had been feared.
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied Expectations
The April 25, 2015, Gorkha, Nepal, Earthquake: An Expected Event that Defied ExpectationsScientists have long known that large earthquakes will inevitably occur along the Himalaya front.
Experts had long feared that large earthquakes would take a devastating toll on Nepal.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people, but the toll was not as catastrophic as had been feared.
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs later
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs laterby Brad Aagaard, USGS Research Geophysicist
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs later
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs laterby Brad Aagaard, USGS Research Geophysicist
At what magnitude does damage begin to occur in an earthquake?
At what magnitude does damage begin to occur in an earthquake?Listen to hear the answer.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Updated Date: April 19, 2023