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Steven Sobieszczyk is a scientist and science communicator. While "Sobie" spent most of his career researching landslide hazards, flooding, sediment transport, and stream ecosystems, he now focuses on science communication and promoting scientific literacy. Steve is a multi-hazard responder and has spoken extensively about seismic, wildfire, landslide, flooding, and volcanic hazards.
CURRENT WORK
I'm a public affairs specialist with the Department of the Interior Office of Communications serving as media lead for the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area.
When it comes to talking to others, especially when explaining science, the key is consequences outweigh precision. You should always be honest, tell the truth, but don't sweat the small stuff. People care about relatability, not the mundane. Knowing what information isn't worth sharing is hard. There are professionals out there who can help. Like me.
10 Largest Earthquakes Ever Recorded (Updated 2025)
#10. MAGNITUDE 8.6 (1950). Arunachal Pradesh, India - Referred to as the Assam-Tibet earthquake, this quake produced intense shaking, triggered sandblows, ground cracks, and large landslides across the region. All told, 780 people died.
10 Largest Earthquakes Ever Recorded (Updated 2025)
#10. MAGNITUDE 8.6 (1950). Arunachal Pradesh, India - Referred to as the Assam-Tibet earthquake, this quake produced intense shaking, triggered sandblows, ground cracks, and large landslides across the region. All told, 780 people died.
Get ready to journey to the bottom of the world! The Deep Ice Seismometer is a groundbreaking new tool that will revolutionize how we monitor earthquakes across the globe. Developed through a powerful collaboration between the U.S.
Get ready to journey to the bottom of the world! The Deep Ice Seismometer is a groundbreaking new tool that will revolutionize how we monitor earthquakes across the globe. Developed through a powerful collaboration between the U.S.
The graphic shows the last 17 solar cycles and their related increased sunspot activity. A solar cycle is a roughly 11-year periodic change in the Sun characterized by variations in the number and intensity of sunspots, as well as a flipping of its magnetic poles.
The graphic shows the last 17 solar cycles and their related increased sunspot activity. A solar cycle is a roughly 11-year periodic change in the Sun characterized by variations in the number and intensity of sunspots, as well as a flipping of its magnetic poles.
NATIONAL LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAP
POSTFIRE DEBRIS FLOW SCIENCE
The U.S. Geological Survey helps local, state, and federal agencies assess debris flow hazards in recently burned areas. We provide information about the likelihood of debris flow activity, where they might happen, and how big they might be.
DEBRIS FLOW ASSESSMENTS
POSTFIRE DEBRIS FLOW SCIENCE
The U.S. Geological Survey helps local, state, and federal agencies assess debris flow hazards in recently burned areas. We provide information about the likelihood of debris flow activity, where they might happen, and how big they might be.
DEBRIS FLOW ASSESSMENTS
LANDSLIDE SAFETY
If your home or property was damaged by a landslide from Hurricane Helene, be aware of the warning signs of future landslide activity
WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS
Signs a landslide may be moving include:
LANDSLIDE SAFETY
If your home or property was damaged by a landslide from Hurricane Helene, be aware of the warning signs of future landslide activity
WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS
Signs a landslide may be moving include:
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Harley Benz first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Harley Benz first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is a discussion over confusion of how large of an earthquake it was featuring Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is a discussion over confusion of how large of an earthquake it was featuring Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Paul Earle first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Paul Earle first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Jill McCarthy first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Jill McCarthy first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss the incredible size of the fault rupture.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss the incredible size of the fault rupture.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz tells a tale about coworker Bruce Presgrave and a harrowing story about a young woman trapped in a tree during the tsunami.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz tells a tale about coworker Bruce Presgrave and a harrowing story about a young woman trapped in a tree during the tsunami.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss how responding to the earthquake reshaped how our NEIC functions, the products it creates, and how things have changed since that day.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss how responding to the earthquake reshaped how our NEIC functions, the products it creates, and how things have changed since that day.
SPOOKY SCIENCE (and having some fun with a playful, silly, not real science career)
SPOOKY SCIENCE (and having some fun with a playful, silly, not real science career)
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geographer.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geographer.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become an archeologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become an archeologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geodesist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geodesist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a hydrologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a hydrologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a volcanologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a volcanologist.
Did you feel that?
The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide.
Did you feel that?
The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide.
[Page 5]
Did you feel that? The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
[Page 5]
Did you feel that? The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
When it comes to talking to others, especially when explaining science, the key is consequences outweigh precision. You should always be honest, tell the truth, but don't sweat the small stuff. People care about relatability, not the mundane. Knowing what information isn't worth sharing is hard. There are professionals out there who can help. Like me.
10 Largest Earthquakes Ever Recorded (Updated 2025)
#10. MAGNITUDE 8.6 (1950). Arunachal Pradesh, India - Referred to as the Assam-Tibet earthquake, this quake produced intense shaking, triggered sandblows, ground cracks, and large landslides across the region. All told, 780 people died.
10 Largest Earthquakes Ever Recorded (Updated 2025)
#10. MAGNITUDE 8.6 (1950). Arunachal Pradesh, India - Referred to as the Assam-Tibet earthquake, this quake produced intense shaking, triggered sandblows, ground cracks, and large landslides across the region. All told, 780 people died.
Get ready to journey to the bottom of the world! The Deep Ice Seismometer is a groundbreaking new tool that will revolutionize how we monitor earthquakes across the globe. Developed through a powerful collaboration between the U.S.
Get ready to journey to the bottom of the world! The Deep Ice Seismometer is a groundbreaking new tool that will revolutionize how we monitor earthquakes across the globe. Developed through a powerful collaboration between the U.S.
The graphic shows the last 17 solar cycles and their related increased sunspot activity. A solar cycle is a roughly 11-year periodic change in the Sun characterized by variations in the number and intensity of sunspots, as well as a flipping of its magnetic poles.
The graphic shows the last 17 solar cycles and their related increased sunspot activity. A solar cycle is a roughly 11-year periodic change in the Sun characterized by variations in the number and intensity of sunspots, as well as a flipping of its magnetic poles.
NATIONAL LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAP
POSTFIRE DEBRIS FLOW SCIENCE
The U.S. Geological Survey helps local, state, and federal agencies assess debris flow hazards in recently burned areas. We provide information about the likelihood of debris flow activity, where they might happen, and how big they might be.
DEBRIS FLOW ASSESSMENTS
POSTFIRE DEBRIS FLOW SCIENCE
The U.S. Geological Survey helps local, state, and federal agencies assess debris flow hazards in recently burned areas. We provide information about the likelihood of debris flow activity, where they might happen, and how big they might be.
DEBRIS FLOW ASSESSMENTS
LANDSLIDE SAFETY
If your home or property was damaged by a landslide from Hurricane Helene, be aware of the warning signs of future landslide activity
WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS
Signs a landslide may be moving include:
LANDSLIDE SAFETY
If your home or property was damaged by a landslide from Hurricane Helene, be aware of the warning signs of future landslide activity
WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS
Signs a landslide may be moving include:
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Harley Benz first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Harley Benz first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is a discussion over confusion of how large of an earthquake it was featuring Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is a discussion over confusion of how large of an earthquake it was featuring Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Paul Earle first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Paul Earle first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Jill McCarthy first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. This is an overview of how Jill McCarthy first heard about the event.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss the incredible size of the fault rupture.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss the incredible size of the fault rupture.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz tells a tale about coworker Bruce Presgrave and a harrowing story about a young woman trapped in a tree during the tsunami.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz tells a tale about coworker Bruce Presgrave and a harrowing story about a young woman trapped in a tree during the tsunami.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss how responding to the earthquake reshaped how our NEIC functions, the products it creates, and how things have changed since that day.
Retrospective interview with USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) scientists who responded to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami. Here Harley Benz, Jill McCarthy, and Paul Earle discuss how responding to the earthquake reshaped how our NEIC functions, the products it creates, and how things have changed since that day.
SPOOKY SCIENCE (and having some fun with a playful, silly, not real science career)
SPOOKY SCIENCE (and having some fun with a playful, silly, not real science career)
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geographer.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geographer.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become an archeologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become an archeologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geodesist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a geodesist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a hydrologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a hydrologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a volcanologist.
Coloring page for geoscience careers. This page highlights those who want to become a volcanologist.
Did you feel that?
The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide.
Did you feel that?
The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide.
[Page 5]
Did you feel that? The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
[Page 5]
Did you feel that? The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.