Images

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake ruptured the Mendocino Transform Fault offshore Northern California on December 5, 2024. The USGS and colleagues from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Ocean Bottom Seismic Instrument Center deployed our new fleet of rapid response ocean bottom seismographs just 11 days later—the fastest response in U.S. history. 

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake ruptured the Mendocino Transform Fault offshore Northern California on December 5, 2024. The USGS and colleagues from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Ocean Bottom Seismic Instrument Center deployed our new fleet of rapid response ocean bottom seismographs just 11 days later—the fastest response in U.S. history. 

Coastal Change Hazards Portal showing the trajectory of Hurricane Milton and the various data users could explore on the map.

The USGS has a long history of studying seafloor instability in the Mississippi River Delta Front, beginning in the 1970s. 

As part of the OASIS project, we play a leading role in seafloor mapping, geophysical imaging, and interpreting the processes that shape this important region. 

The USGS has a long history of studying seafloor instability in the Mississippi River Delta Front, beginning in the 1970s. 

As part of the OASIS project, we play a leading role in seafloor mapping, geophysical imaging, and interpreting the processes that shape this important region. 

The USGS has a long history of studying seafloor instability in the Mississippi River Delta Front, beginning in the 1970s. 

As part of the OASIS project, we play a leading role in seafloor mapping, geophysical imaging, and interpreting the processes that shape this important region. 

The USGS has a long history of studying seafloor instability in the Mississippi River Delta Front, beginning in the 1970s. 

As part of the OASIS project, we play a leading role in seafloor mapping, geophysical imaging, and interpreting the processes that shape this important region. 

The USGS has a long history of studying seafloor instability in the Mississippi River Delta Front, beginning in the 1970s. 

As part of the OASIS project, we play a leading role in seafloor mapping, geophysical imaging, and interpreting the processes that shape this important region. 

The USGS has a long history of studying seafloor instability in the Mississippi River Delta Front, beginning in the 1970s. 

As part of the OASIS project, we play a leading role in seafloor mapping, geophysical imaging, and interpreting the processes that shape this important region. 

Offshore infrastructure in the Mississippi River Delta Front.

The USGS has a long history of studying seafloor instability in the Mississippi River Delta Front, beginning in the 1970s. 

As part of the OASIS project, we play a leading role in seafloor mapping, geophysical imaging, and interpreting the processes that shape this important region. 

Wayne Baldwin (USGS), Eric Moore (USGS), and Hannah Brewer (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) preparing the rapid response ocean bottom seismograph fleet for deployment. Photo credit: Nathan Miller, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. 

Wayne Baldwin (USGS), Eric Moore (USGS), and Hannah Brewer (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) preparing the rapid response ocean bottom seismograph fleet for deployment. Photo credit: Nathan Miller, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. 

Wayne Baldwin (USGS), Eric Moore (USGS), and Hannah Brewer (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) about to deploy one of the rapid response ocean bottom seismograph fleet. Photo credit: Nathan Miller, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. 

Eric Moore (USGS) deploying one of the rapid response ocean bottom seismographs. Photo credit: Nathan Miller, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. 

Wayne Baldwin (USGS) and Eric Moore (USGS) preparing the rapid response ocean bottom seismograph fleet for deployment. Photo credit: Nathan Miller, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. 

Wayne Baldwin (USGS) and Eric Moore (USGS) preparing the rapid response ocean bottom seismograph fleet for deployment. Photo credit: Nathan Miller, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. 

Wayne Baldwin (USGS) and Eric Moore (USGS) preparing the rapid response ocean bottom seismograph fleet for deployment. Photo credit: Nathan Miller, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. 

Example CoSMoS flood extent map products for the Humboldt County region, showing a 100-year storm across three sea-level rise scenarios.

Figure a) Coastal flooding (no storm), shallow groundwater exposure and erosion (unimpeded model case) for 1.00 m of SLR (that is, the Intermediate scenario projected for 2100¹⁴), and observed vertical land motion (VLM) across the Southeast Atlantic coast.

As powerful hurricanes approach the coast, they generate elevated water levels and dangerous wave conditions that can cause extensive flooding, significant landscape changes, and destruction of property.