Earthquake Hazards Program

USGS-Led Study Reassesses Earthquake Hazard Potential for Central California’s Hosgri Fault

ppearsall@usgs.gov — Fri, 3 Nov 2023 16:24:29 EDT

Assessing earthquake hazards demands a comprehensive understanding of active faults, including their location, length, connectivity, slip rate, and rupture history. For densely populated areas like the central California coast, this knowledge can help safeguard both lives and critical infrastructure.

New USGS-FEMA study highlights economic earthquake risk in the United States

hkoehler@usgs.gov — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 11:04:52 EDT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Earthquakes cost the nation an estimated $14.7 billion annually in building damage and associated losses according to a new report released jointly today by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the annual Seismological Society of America meeting.

New Wave Glider will study Earthquake Processes along U.S. Subduction Zones

ppearsall@usgs.gov — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:18:21 EDT

The USGS has acquired a new state-of-the-art wave glider for constraining plate motions and earthquake processes along U.S. subduction zones.

Earthquake in Southern California 90 Years Ago Changed the Way We Build

plaustsen@usgs.gov — Tue, 7 Mar 2023 09:00:48 EST

The story of the damaging Long Beach earthquake on March 10, 1933.

Vuelos sobre Puerto Rico para cartografiar la geología

apdemas@usgs.gov — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:53:45 EST

Editor: En interés público y de acuerdo con las regulaciones de la Administración Federal de Aviación, el USGS está anunciando este proyecto aerotransportado de bajo nivel. Se agradece su ayuda para informar a las comunidades locales.

Media Alert: Flights Above Puerto Rico to Map Geology

apdemas@usgs.gov — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:43:20 EST

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.

Volcanic explosion penetrates both upper atmosphere and upper crust around the globe

hkoehler@usgs.gov — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:15:47 EST

Slightly more than one year ago, a rare, enormous volcanic explosion created pressure waves in the atmosphere that pushed on the top 3.1 miles/5 kilometers of the Earth, giving scientists a clear “x-ray” of a depth range of the crust that is rarely in focus.

New Interactive Geonarrative Explains the 2023 Turkey, Earthquake Sequence

lisa@usgs.gov — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 11:30:00 EST

On February 6, 2023, a M 7.8 earthquake occurred in southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria. This earthquake was followed about 9 hours later by a M 7.5 earthquake approximately 90 km to the north.

M7.8 and M7.5 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence near Nurdağı, Turkey (Türkiye)

ssobie@usgs.gov — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:00:00 EST

The M7.8 and M7.5 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence struck near Nurdağı, Turkey (Türkiye) on February 6, 2023.

Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura ayuda a científicos a cartografiar la geología de Puerto Rico

apdemas@usgs.gov — Tue, 7 Feb 2023 13:53:57 EST

Reston, Va. — El Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos (USGS, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció hoy que, con fondos sustanciales de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura del Presidente Biden, está invirtiendo más de $1 millón para realizar los primeros estudios magnéticos y radiométricos aerotransportados de alta resolución sobre Puerto Rico y sus aguas circundantes.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps scientists map geology of Puerto Rico

apdemas@usgs.gov — Tue, 7 Feb 2023 13:15:05 EST

Reston, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that, with substantial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it is investing more than $1 million to conduct the first-ever high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys over Puerto Rico and its surrounding waters.

ShakeAlert goes galactic!

plaustsen@usgs.gov — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 09:00:00 EST

Even space travelers need earthquake early warning

Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake near Ferndale, California

aweill@usgs.gov — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 16:14:30 EST

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck 3 miles offshore in Northern California on December 20, 2022 at 2:34 am local time.

Human-Centered Earthquake Impact Information: Learn more about USGS Mendenhall Fellow Sabine Loos

lisa@usgs.gov — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 12:33:45 EST

Translating earthquake science into engineering-based risk and loss assessments is an important tool for disaster management decision-making. Expanding that to include metrics related to societal impacts is part of an ongoing USGS Mendenhall Fellowship featured in an article, published by the Natural Hazards Center (NHC), where Fellow Sabine Loos is working in partnership with the USGS.

Using Distant Seismometers to Monitor and Analyze Volcanic Eruptions

lisa@usgs.gov — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:30:00 EST

A new Science for Everyone web article: Before a volcano erupts, there are typically precursory activities that can be detected on seismometers. Thus, monitoring volcanoes with nearby seismometers is a good way to know when a volcanic eruption may be imminent. However...

Announcement: Subduction Zone Science Workshop - January 10–11, 2023

lisa@usgs.gov — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 13:15:19 EST

The U.S. Geological Survey invites you to a Subduction Zone Science workshop in Seattle at the University of Washington from January 10-11, 2023.

Mapping the Entire Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault System

ppearsall@usgs.gov — Wed, 9 Nov 2022 15:46:48 EST

A recently completed series of data publications led by the U.S. Geological Survey represents the first time the fault has been mapped using comprehensive, high-resolution marine geophysical approaches. The goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault and its associated earthquake, tsunami, and underwater-landslide hazards.

World Tsunami Awareness Day November 5, 2022

lisa@usgs.gov — Mon, 7 Nov 2022 11:19:02 EST

A new infographic summarizes great Alaska earthquakes and their related history for generating dangerous Pacific tsunamis.

ShakeOut 2022: Earthquake Awareness Enables Community Preparedness

drewlapointe@usgs.gov — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 10:45:00 EDT

Get ready to shake it like it’s real! ShakeOut 2022: Drop (or Lock), Cover, and Hold On!

Loma Prieta Earthquake 33rd Anniversary Compilation

plaustsen@usgs.gov — Sat, 1 Oct 2022 08:20:52 EDT

A collection of information and resources to help you understand the significance of the Loma Prieta earthquake, the earthquake hazards in the San Francisco Bay Area and resources available to you to prepare for a future seismic event.

A step toward understanding earthquakes in California

egoldbaum@usgs.gov — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:30:54 EDT

A new paper reviews past earthquakes to better understand potential future risks.

Assembling a seismic history of the southern San Andreas Fault Zone beneath Salton Sea

ppearsall@usgs.gov — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:37:32 EDT

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.

Earthquake Detected! Here’s How You Can Prepare

egoldbaum@usgs.gov — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 08:00:00 EDT

Over 50 million people in Washington, Oregon, and California can take protective actions prior to feeling shaking from an earthquake.

Humble yet significant: A case study of youthful faults on Yellowstone’s fringe

mpoland@usgs.gov — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 03:00:00 EDT

Surficial geologic mapping by the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) has shed light on geologically young faults in the Jackson Lake area, just south of Yellowstone National Park. Though mostly inconspicuous on the landscape, these faults offer important clues to the region’s dynamic geologic history.

Information Regarding Felt Earthquakes in American Samoa

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:40:38 EDT

Earthquakes have been felt in the Manuʻa Islands of American Samoa for a few days and are ongoing. These earthquakes may be caused by volcanic activity, but a large explosive eruption is extremely unlikely. Experts are assessing the situation.

Using modern tools to look at past earthquakes: How lidar data help to better understand the 1959 Hebgen Lake event

mpoland@usgs.gov — Mon, 1 Aug 2022 09:46:37 EDT

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.

Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake in Khōst, Afghanistan

ssobie@usgs.gov — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 10:59:09 EDT

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck overnight near Khōst, Afghanistan on June 21 20:54 UTC.

The temblor that changed earthquake science turns 30

egoldbaum@usgs.gov — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:30:27 EDT

To mark the 30th anniversary of a Southern California earthquake, we’ll note why it was significant and listen to USGS employees share their own quake tales.

USGS Participates in Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

lisa@usgs.gov — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:12:48 EDT

On May 26, 2022, USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area scientist, Aleeza Wilkins, represented USGS and the U.S. Delegation at the United Nations Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Bali, Indonesia.

USGS Seeks Earthquake Hazards Research Proposals

apdemas@usgs.gov — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 11:28:39 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently soliciting project proposals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 grants on earthquake hazards science and is authorized to award up to $7 million. Interested researchers can apply online at GRANTS.GOV under funding Opportunity Number G23AS00249. Note that all proposals submitted to the FY23 open application period are now limited to 15 pages, maximum.