Natural Hazards
How do volcanoes erupt?
Can you predict earthquakes?
Does the USGS conduct studies on wildfire?
What is a landslide and what causes one?
The USGS monitors and conducts research on a wide range of natural hazards to help decision-makers prepare for and respond to hazard events that threaten life and property.
How does the injection of fluid at depth cause earthquakes? How does the injection of fluid at depth cause earthquakes?
The fluid that is injected at depth is sometimes hydraulically connected to faults. When this happens, fluid pressures increase within the fault, counteracting the frictional forces on faults. This makes earthquakes more likely to occur on them. An analog to this system is an air hockey table. When an air hockey table is off, the puck does not move readily, but when the table is on, the puck...
Is it possible to anticipate whether a planned wastewater disposal activity will trigger earthquakes that are large enough to be of concern? Is it possible to anticipate whether a planned wastewater disposal activity will trigger earthquakes that are large enough to be of concern?
Currently, there are no methods available to do this in a definitive sense. We have developed methods that use injection information to help us determine whether injection activities might cause induced earthquakes and rule out other injection activities that are unlikely to induce earthquakes, but we cannot say either with certainty. There are a number of conditions that increase the likelihood...
Do all wastewater disposal wells induce earthquakes? Do all wastewater disposal wells induce earthquakes?
No. Of more than 150,000 Class II injection wells in the United States, roughly 40,000 are waste fluid disposal wells for oil and gas operations. Only a small fraction of these disposal wells have induced earthquakes that are large enough to be of concern to the public. Learn more: USGS Induced Earthquakes EPA's Underground Injection Control (UIC) program
Where can I search an earthquake catalog for past events? Where can I search an earthquake catalog for past events?
You might be able to find what you’re looking for using our collection of Earthquake Lists, so check that first. If that doesn’t work, use one of these Earthquake Catalog Search webpages: World-wide Earthquakes Catalog (M4.5+ worldwide, M2.5+ U.S.) Historic ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) Composite Catalog (M4.5+ world-wide, all magnitudes U.S.)
Which country has the most earthquakes? Which country has the most earthquakes?
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. In order to most accurately answer it, we will rephrase the question four different ways: For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes. Which country actually has...
Which state has the most earthquakes that cause damage? Which state has the most earthquakes (not human-induced)? Which state has the most earthquakes that cause damage? Which state has the most earthquakes (not human-induced)?
California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced). Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region
Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes in the United States or the world? Where can I find a list of the largest earthquakes in the United States or the world?
The USGS Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has statistics about earthquakes in the United States and the world, including a list of the world's 20 largest recorded earthquakes.
Where do earthquakes occur? Where do earthquakes occur?
Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth: The world's greatest earthquake belt, the circum-Pacific seismic belt, is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet's largest earthquakes occur. It has earned the nickname "Ring of Fire". Why...
Which states, and other places in the world, have the smallest number of earthquakes? Which states, and other places in the world, have the smallest number of earthquakes?
Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World. Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has M3+ earthquake counts for each state from 2010 to 2015. Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region
What are the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills? What are the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills?
The Great ShakeOut earthquake drills are based on scenario earthquakes that could effect the area if they were to actually take place. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness. These events are made possible through a collaboration between several agencies...
Why should people in the eastern United States be concerned about earthquakes? Why should people in the eastern United States be concerned about earthquakes?
1) Severe earthquakes have occurred in the eastern U.S.: In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was heavily damaged. Other strong earthquakes recorded in the continental US were centered in southeastern Missouri near the border with Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. In...
What can I expect in my house when an earthquake occurs, and what can be done to prevent problems? What can I expect in my house when an earthquake occurs, and what can be done to prevent problems?
The contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous: Shaking can make light fixtures fall, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases and television sets topple over. IDENTIFY: Look around your house for things that could fall or move. Ask yourself if your cupboard doors could fly open (allowing dishes to shatter on the floor). Is TV and stereo fastened down...