Although it may seem like it’s solid beneath your feet, the Earth is a dynamic structure. The surface is constantly moving. Different parts of the planet move in different ways and at different time scales. The USGS studies these sometimes subtle, yet sometimes dramatic movements to help keep us safe.
The Ground Beneath Our Feet
From plate tectonics to ocean tides, energy is constantly being transferred throughout the planet. As Earth’s plates slowly move and grind against each other, they build the mountains that tower above us. If the plates stick, then slip, they release their energy through the earthquakes that shake us. The USGS is dedicated to better understanding our planet and the processes that shape our planet.
Let’s Hear from the Experts
USGS has some of the premiere Earth scientists in the world. Although our researchers study everything from bees to trees to tides and slides, we wanted to specifically showcase our hazards researchers. Here are a few presentations from our volcano, earthquake, and landslide specialists.
Dive Deeper into Understanding How the Earth Moves
There is so much to learn about the different ways Earth moves beneath our feet. Take a deeper dive into our different programs that look at why things move and how we study them.
Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
Landslides
Coastal Change
Science
Active Volcanoes of Hawaii
Barry Arm, Alaska Landslide and Tsunami Monitoring
Coastal Change Hazards - Technical Capabilities and Applications
Liquefaction Hazard Maps
Volcano Hazards Assessments Help Mitigate Disasters
Active Volcanoes of Hawaii
Barry Arm, Alaska Landslide and Tsunami Monitoring
Coastal Change Hazards - Technical Capabilities and Applications
Liquefaction Hazard Maps
Volcano Hazards Assessments Help Mitigate Disasters
Understanding plate motions
PubTalk-11/2021: Busting Myths About One of the Largest Volcanic Systems in the World - The Top 10 Misconceptions about Yellowstone Volcanism
Busting Myths About One of the Largest Volcanic Systems in the World - The Top 10 Misconceptions about Yellowstone Volcanism
By Michael Poland, USGS Scientist-in-charge, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?
An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.In California there are two plates - the Pacific Plate and the North...
What is liquefaction?
Liquefaction takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking. Liquefaction occurring beneath buildings and other structures can cause major damage during earthquakes. For example, the 1964 Niigata earthquake caused widespread liquefaction in Niigata, Japan which destroyed many buildings. Also, during the...
What is a landslide and what causes one?
A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of "mass wasting," which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity. The term "landslide" encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. These are further subdivided by the type of geologic material...
How Do Volcanoes Erupt?
Deep within the Earth it is so hot that some rocks slowly melt and become a thick flowing substance called magma. Since it is lighter than the solid rock around it, magma rises and collects in magma chambers. Eventually, some of the magma pushes through vents and fissures to the Earth's surface. Magma that has erupted is called lava. Some volcanic eruptions are explosive and others are not. The...
- Overview
The Ground Beneath Our Feet
From plate tectonics to ocean tides, energy is constantly being transferred throughout the planet. As Earth’s plates slowly move and grind against each other, they build the mountains that tower above us. If the plates stick, then slip, they release their energy through the earthquakes that shake us. The USGS is dedicated to better understanding our planet and the processes that shape our planet.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Although it may seem like its solid beneath your feet, the Earth is a dynamic structure. The surface is constantly moving. Different parts of the planet move in different ways and at different time scales. The USGS studies these sometimes subtle, yet sometimes dramatic movements to help keep us safe. Let’s Hear from the Experts
USGS has some of the premiere Earth scientists in the world. Although our researchers study everything from bees to trees to tides and slides, we wanted to specifically showcase our hazards researchers. Here are a few presentations from our volcano, earthquake, and landslide specialists.
Dive Deeper into Understanding How the Earth Moves
There is so much to learn about the different ways Earth moves beneath our feet. Take a deeper dive into our different programs that look at why things move and how we study them.
EarthquakesEarthquakesVolcanic EruptionsVolcanic EruptionsLandslidesLandslidesCoastal ChangeCoastal ChangeScience
Active Volcanoes of Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are at the southeast end of a chain of volcanoes that began to form more than 70 million years ago. Each island is made of one or more volcanoes, which first erupted on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and emerged above sea level only after countless eruptions. Presently, there are six active volcanoes in Hawaii.Barry Arm, Alaska Landslide and Tsunami Monitoring
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.Coastal Change Hazards - Technical Capabilities and Applications
The Technical Capabilities and Applications (TCA) component of the Coastal Change Hazards (CCH) program focus leverages technical talent across the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) to bridge capability, expertise, and cooperation between the three Coastal and Marine Science Centers: Woods Hole, Massachusetts; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Santa Cruz, California. TCA provides...Liquefaction Hazard Maps
OverviewLiquefaction is a phenomenon that is caused by earthquake shaking. Wet sand can become liquid-like when strongly shaken. The liquefied sand may flow and the ground may move and crack, causing damage to surface structures and underground utilities.Volcano Hazards Assessments Help Mitigate Disasters
The Volcano Hazards Program develops long-range volcano hazards assessments. These includes a summary of the specific hazards, their impact areas, and a map showing ground-hazard zones. The assessments are also critical for planning long-term land-use and effective emergency-response measures, especially when a volcano begins to show signs of unrest. - Publications
- Science
Active Volcanoes of Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are at the southeast end of a chain of volcanoes that began to form more than 70 million years ago. Each island is made of one or more volcanoes, which first erupted on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and emerged above sea level only after countless eruptions. Presently, there are six active volcanoes in Hawaii.Barry Arm, Alaska Landslide and Tsunami Monitoring
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.Coastal Change Hazards - Technical Capabilities and Applications
The Technical Capabilities and Applications (TCA) component of the Coastal Change Hazards (CCH) program focus leverages technical talent across the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) to bridge capability, expertise, and cooperation between the three Coastal and Marine Science Centers: Woods Hole, Massachusetts; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Santa Cruz, California. TCA provides...Liquefaction Hazard Maps
OverviewLiquefaction is a phenomenon that is caused by earthquake shaking. Wet sand can become liquid-like when strongly shaken. The liquefied sand may flow and the ground may move and crack, causing damage to surface structures and underground utilities.Volcano Hazards Assessments Help Mitigate Disasters
The Volcano Hazards Program develops long-range volcano hazards assessments. These includes a summary of the specific hazards, their impact areas, and a map showing ground-hazard zones. The assessments are also critical for planning long-term land-use and effective emergency-response measures, especially when a volcano begins to show signs of unrest.Understanding plate motions
The "Understanding Plate Motions" chapter of "This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics" explains the types the plate boundaries. - Maps
- Multimedia
PubTalk-11/2021: Busting Myths About One of the Largest Volcanic Systems in the World - The Top 10 Misconceptions about Yellowstone Volcanism
Busting Myths About One of the Largest Volcanic Systems in the World - The Top 10 Misconceptions about Yellowstone Volcanism
By Michael Poland, USGS Scientist-in-charge, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
- News
- FAQ
What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?
An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.In California there are two plates - the Pacific Plate and the North...
What is liquefaction?
Liquefaction takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking. Liquefaction occurring beneath buildings and other structures can cause major damage during earthquakes. For example, the 1964 Niigata earthquake caused widespread liquefaction in Niigata, Japan which destroyed many buildings. Also, during the...
What is a landslide and what causes one?
A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of "mass wasting," which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity. The term "landslide" encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. These are further subdivided by the type of geologic material...
How Do Volcanoes Erupt?
Deep within the Earth it is so hot that some rocks slowly melt and become a thick flowing substance called magma. Since it is lighter than the solid rock around it, magma rises and collects in magma chambers. Eventually, some of the magma pushes through vents and fissures to the Earth's surface. Magma that has erupted is called lava. Some volcanic eruptions are explosive and others are not. The...