Earthquake Hazards

Next week, USGS and the nation commemorate the 30^th anniversary of one of the most destructive earthquake disasters in U.S. history – the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in northern California. The magnitude 6.9 quake struck on October 17 in the southern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area near Santa Cruz and was responsible for the deaths of 63 people and more than 3,500 injuries.

Two of the first questions that come to mind for anyone who just felt an earthquake are, “Will there be another one?” and “Will it be larger?”.

Read Could the M7.1 Ridgecrest, CA Earthquake Sequence Trigger a Large Earthquake Nearby?

 Learn About USGS Hazards Science and More About National Preparedness Month:  The very nature of natural hazards means that they have the potential to impact a majority of Americans every year.  USGS science provides part of the foundation for emergency preparedness whenever and wherever disaster strikes.

The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded more than $12.5 million to seven universities and a university-governed non-profit to support operation, improvement and expansion of the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system for the West Coast of the United States.

USGS and the Global Earthquake Model Foundation take steps to save lives worldwide

AGU's EOS publication includes article highlighting USGS National Earthquake Center and products made available on the Earthquake Hazards website following significant earthquakes.

Updated on July 19. Visit the USGS earthquake event page for more information.

Our Earth is indeed a watery planet – nearly two-thirds of its surface is covered by water. And all but 3% of that water covers land submerged under the oceans. Our seas are the source of living and non-living resources that we rely on for food, recreation, protection from storms, energy and minerals, and so much more.

A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck north-central Peru on May 26, 2019 at 2:41 am local time (07:41 UTC). 

Editor:  In the public interest and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the USGS is announcing this low-level airborne project.  Your assistance in informing the local communities is appreciated.

A rare submarine landslide provides researchers with a reference point for modeling the biggest tsunamis. (EOS article)