The Monitor Newsletter - Vol. 8 | Issue Fall 2022
In this issue: A new Natural Hazards Science Explorer website, a nationwide strategy to reduce landslide risk, the Tonga eruption tsunami, earthquake early warning, understanding more about past earthquakes with Lidar and Redwood trees, inspiring students to pursue marine science, and more.
New Nationwide Strategy Brings Scientists, Communities Together to Help Reduce Landslide Risks
The USGS is releasing a National Strategy for Landslide Loss Reduction detailing the steps necessary to equitably reduce the Nation’s risk from landslide hazards.
In depth: Surprising tsunamis caused by explosive eruption in Tonga
A volcanic eruption in Tonga on 15 January 2022 surprised scientists by triggering two types of tsunamis: “classic” tsunamis caused by the displacement of large volumes of water, and meteotsunamis caused by fast-moving pressure disturbances in the atmosphere.
Earthquake Detected! Here’s How You Can Prepare
Over 50 million people in Washington, Oregon, and California can take protective actions prior to feeling shaking from an earthquake.
New Natural Hazards Science Explorer website
Explore for more information about what we do and how we help keep you safe.
Assembling a seismic history of the southern San Andreas Fault Zone beneath Salton Sea
The San Andreas Fault stretches for 750 miles along much of the length of California, traveling belowground from the Bay Area south to the Salton Sea. It marks the tectonic boundary of the Pacific and North American plates as they slide horizontally past one another, 20 to 35 millimeters (0.8 to 1.4 inches) per year.
Using modern tools to look at past earthquakes: How lidar data help to better understand the 1959 Hebgen Lake event
The Hebgen Lake earthquake is the largest to have struck the Intermountain West region of the United States. High-resolution topographic data from lidar are shedding new “light” on this complex event, as well as on prehistoric earthquakes that occurred within the same fault system.
Storlazzi recognized for contributions to U.S. coral reef conservation
USGS Research Geologist Dr. Curt Storlazzi was honored by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force with a Scientific Achievement Award, presented by Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Carmen G. Cantor on September 2, 2022.
Redwood Tree Stumps Offer Clues to Past Earthquakes
Researchers are studying slices of tree stumps to study past earthquakes.
USGS collaborates with local colleges, inspiring students to pursue marine science by taking them to sea
The Scientists-at-Sea program was established to provide students with the opportunity to participate in their first oceanographic research cruise—and USGS was on board to assist.
Volcano Watch — Where’s that lava headed and when will it get there?
When lava flows break out on the flanks of Kīlauea or Mauna Loa, Hawaiʻi residents and emergency management agencies want to know what to expect. Highly accurate forecasts for other natural hazards such as hurricanes, flooding, drought, and even the spread of vog from Kīlauea are now commonplace. Can we do the same for lava flows?