Subduction Zone Science
Education
Want to learn more about the basics of subduction zone science? Browse the collection of USGS education pages below focused on subduction zones, and also check out the great education pages from non-USGS sources.
Could It Happen Here?
Soon after the devastating tsunamis in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004 and in Japan on March 11, 2011, many people have asked, "Could such a tsunami happen in the United States?"
Understanding plate motions
Scientists now have a fairly good understanding of how the plates move and how such movements relate to earthquake activity. Most movement occurs along narrow zones between plates where the results of plate-tectonic forces are most evident.
Earthquake Education
Tons of great resources for learning about the science of earthquakes.
Landslide Education
Learn about the basics of landslides.
Life of a Tsunami
Learn about the initiation, the split, the amplification, and the runup.
Volcano Education
What is a volcano? How do volcanoes erupt? How many volcanoes are there? What are the main types of volcanoes?
Tsunamis and Tsunami Hazards
You don't hear about tsunamis very often, but when they do strike, they can be huge newsmakers and can have drastic and devastating effects. The occurrence and potential for tsunamis on the coasts of the United States is not out of the question. Read on to learn about tsunamis.
Local Tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest
In the past century, several damaging tsunamis have struck the Pacific Northwest coast (Northern California, Oregon, and Washington). All of these tsunamis were distant tsunamis generated from earthquakes located far across the Pacific basin and are distinguished from tsunamis generated by earthquakes near the coast—termed local tsunamis.