The Monitor newsletter - Inaugural Issue - Vol. 1 | Issue Winter 2021
We introduce the USGS Natural Hazards newsletter. In this issue: A new geonarrative about the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake, Potential landslide in Alaska, Subduction Zone Science, Post-wildfire debris flow assessments, new @USGS_Quakes Twitter account, Mapping faults in Puerto Rico, Coastal Change Top Story, Photo Round Up and more!
Follow Earthquake Tweets
The USGS launched a new social media account (@USGS_Quakes) run by earthquake scientists and staff to "provide context for significant earthquakes and insights into seismic science."
Barry Arm Landslide and Tsunami Hazard
A large steep slope in the Barry Arm fjord 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Whittier, Alaska has the potential to fall into the water and generate a tsunami that could have devastating local effects on those who live, work, and recreate in and around Whittier and in northern Prince William Sound.
View the information provided by the State of Alaska, Natural Resources.
2019 Ridgecrest, California Earthquake Sequence Geonarrative
A new geonarrative (Esri Story Map) summarizes the USGS response and findings after the M6.4 on July 4 and M7.1 on July 6, 2019 in Searles Valley, Southern California.
Subduction Zone Science
Research and activities from across the Natural Hazards Mission Area
USGS Scientists Find Seafloor Faults Near Puerto Rico Quakes’ Epicenters
Most residents of southern Puerto Rico were startled by the sequence of earthquakes that began Dec. 28, 2019 and included a magnitude 6.4 quake on Jan. 7, 2020. Aftershocks are expected to continue for years, including some relatively strong ones, like a May 2 magnitude 5.4 temblor.
Postfire debris-flow hazards
Estimates of the probability and volume of debris flows that may be produced by a storm in a recently burned area, using a model with characteristics related to basin shape, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall.
Wildfire can significantly alter the hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows. The USGS conducts post-fire debris-flow hazard assessments for select fires in the Western U.S. We use geospatial data related to basin morphometry, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall characteristics to estimate the probability and volume of debris flows that may occur in response to a design storm.
Coastal Change Happens! USGS Has Data and Tools to Help Coastal Communities Prepare
USGS Introduces a National Approach to Coastal Change Hazards (CCH) Science
USGS Reducing Risk Website
The Reducing Risk website under the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area showcases the USGS Risk Plan and pulls together research and activities from around the USGS that focus on the goals of the plan: to advance USGS capabilities in risk assessment, mitigation, and communication.
Natural Hazards Photo Round-up
Featured photos from across the Natural Hazards Mission Area within the past 3 months.