Latest news with #Dura
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
3.6 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles U.S. Town Near Volcano
The United States has dealt with a flurry of earthquakes this month, raising concerns about "The Big One." Last week, the United States Geological Survey detected a trio of earthquakes in California in a 24-hour span. The first earthquake had a 2.9 magnitude. Although the other two earthquakes weren't that impactful, there are concerns about a sizable earthquake leveling the West Coast. "Since it has been more than 144 years since the last major earthquake, the clock is ticking," researchers at the University of California, Berkley said. "It is very likely that the Hayward fault will rupture and produce a significant earthquake within the next 30 years." Virginia Tech professor Tina Dura agreed that California could face "The Big One" at some point in the future. "But geologically speaking, we're well within the window of possibility. The last event was in 1700, and paleoseismic records show these earthquakes recur roughly every 200 to 800 years," Dura told Newsweek. "The National Seismic Hazard model shows that there is a 15% chance of a large (over magnitude 8) earthquake happening sometime in the next 50 years." While we're not sure when or if this will happen, the US Geological Survey confirmed that a 3.6 magnitude earthquake was detected this Friday. A small town in Idaho was rocked by this earthquake Friday. The earthquake actually occurred 126 miles from the Yellowstone's caldera, a volcanic depression at that park. "These tremors usually shake areas within the Yellowstone Caldera and nearby fault zones, but the supervolcano can also influence seismic activity over 100 miles away," Daily Mail's report stated. "A new study recently showed that Yellowstone's magma chamber is just 2.3 miles or about 12,500 feet below Earth's surface." Geologists are still investigating this incident. We're certainly hoping the United States avoids a catastrophic earthquake.3.6 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles U.S. Town Near Volcano first appeared on The Spun on May 23, 2025
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientist Issues Warning of Major West Coast Earthquake
It's been nearly 12 decades since the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 killed as many as 3,000 people. Now, one scientist is warning that another major West Coast earthquake could be imminent and perhaps even more devastating than that one. Tina Dura, a geosciences professor at Virginia Tech, was the lead author of a recent study that looked into the risk of major flooding in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. The study looked into flooding that would be caused from two factors happening together: powerful earthquakes and rising sea levels due to climate change. Dura and other experts have begun to worry about "the next big event being imminent" in the Cascadia subduction zone, which stretches from Northern California to Washington, given that a major event has not happened in over 300 years. "We expect something like the Japan 2011 and Sumatra 2004 earthquakes and tsunamis to occur there," Dura told Accuweather. In an email to Newsweek, Dura clarified that such an earthquake could come "tomorrow or decades from now," but it's "well within the window of possibility." "But geologically speaking, we're well within the window of possibility. The last event was in 1700, and paleoseismic records show these earthquakes recur roughly every 200 to 800 years," she told Newsweek. "The National Seismic Hazard model shows that there is a 15% chance of a large (over magnitude 8) earthquake happening sometime in the next 50 years. "By 2100, there is a 30% chance of a large earthquake happening. To me, those probabilities are high enough that we should be preparing for the effects of such an earthquake." The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a fault line where the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate is slowly sliding beneath the North American plate. As Newsweek explains, the boundary between the two tectonic plates is capable of producing megathrust earthquakes that strike with little warning, impacting hundreds of miles of coastline simultaneously, which could trigger widespread land subsidence, powerful tsunamis, and long-lasting infrastructure failures. Based on the warnings from Dura and other experts, it sounds like this type of earthquake could strike at any time.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Scientists Warn a 'Megaquake' Event in Coastal Cities Could Be 'Imminent'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A scientist has warned that "the next big event" could be "imminent" if a megaquake shakes the Pacific Northwest. Tina Dura, a geosciences professor at Virginia Tech, was the lead author on a new study that examined the risk of major coastal flooding in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California from two factors happening together: powerful earthquakes and rising sea levels due to climate change. 'We worry about the next big event being imminent' Normally, scientists and planners consider rising oceans caused by melting ice and warming water. But Dura's group took a closer look at a different threat that could happen very suddenly—land dropping by up to two meters during a major earthquake along the Cascadia subduction zone, which stretches from Northern California to Washington. Stock image. Stock image. Photo by Allan Swart / Getty Images Dura said the researchers worry about "the next big event being imminent" since more than 300 years have passed since the last significant earthquake. "We expect something like the Japan 2011 and Sumatra 2004 earthquakes and tsunamis to occur there," Dura told Accuweather. In an email to Newsweek, Dura clarified that the next great Cascadia earthquake could be "tomorrow or decades from now". "But geologically speaking, we're well within the window of possibility. The last event was in 1700, and paleoseismic records show these earthquakes recur roughly every 200 to 800 years," she said. "The National Seismic Hazard model shows that there is a 15% chance of a large (over magnitude 8) earthquake happening sometime in the next 50 years. "By 2100, there is a 30% chance of a large earthquake happening. To me, those probabilities are high enough that we should be preparing for the effects of such an earthquake." Why Earthquakes Are So Impactful on the West Coast Earthquakes on the West Coast are especially dangerous because of the region's position along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a fault line where the Juan de Fuca plate is slowly sliding beneath the North American plate. This tectonic boundary is capable of producing megathrust earthquakes that strike with little warning and affect hundreds of miles of coastline simultaneously. Unlike smaller, localized faults, Cascadia events can trigger widespread land subsidence, powerful tsunamis and long-lasting infrastructure failures, making them among the most catastrophic natural hazards in North America. Why It Matters The potential for a great earthquake is a massive flood risk multiplier. The study found that if a major Cascadia earthquake struck today, floodplains could grow by as much as 300 square kilometers (about 116 square miles), more than doubling the number of homes, roads, and structures exposed to flooding. By 2100, when climate-driven sea-level rise is projected to significantly worsen baseline flood levels, that number could climb even higher—up to 370 square kilometers (143 square miles), tripling the exposure. "The risks from a Cascadia earthquake go beyond shaking and tsunamis," Dura told Newsweek. "Sudden land subsidence during the quake can instantly expand flood zones and leave low-lying areas permanently more vulnerable to flooding, especially as sea levels rise. "These overlapping hazards can turn a bad disaster into a much worse one if we don't plan ahead with the full picture in mind." What To Do Dura said preparation should take place on multiple fronts. "At the individual level, people should know their evacuation zones, have a go-bag ready, and plan for at least a week without outside help," Dura told Newsweek. "At the societal level, we need to invest in resilient infrastructure, update land-use plans to reflect compound hazards like flood plain expansion after earthquakes, and prioritize the most vulnerable communities in emergency planning."
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Earthquake may hit California, Washington, could sink Pacific Northwest region, claims study
A recent research study has warned that the next major earthquake in the Pacific Northwest region might end up sinking the coastal land by nearly seven feet. Northern parts of California and Oregon, along with southern Washington will be most hit, if the earthquake occurs, as per a report #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan reopens Attari-Wagah border to allow stranded citizens in India to return Key Jammu & Kashmir reservoirs' flushing to begin soon Air India sees Pakistan airspace ban costing it $600 mn over 12 months Those who will get to survive the tremor could face severe flooding in the area, The Washington Post reported, quoting that study that was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this week. Study decodes major risks to Pacific Northwest A team of researchers from the Virginia Tech University has claimed that a magnitude 8.0 and greater tremor in the Cascadia Subduction Zone could result in a tsunami and severely impact the coastal communities. The drastic rise in sea levels in the region would ultimately expand to as much as 115 square miles, it suggested. According to Tina Dura, the lead author of the study, this means that there are possibilities of witnessing a disaster similar to the ones in Sumatra and Japan in 2004 and 2011, respectively. Live Events Dura and her team have found "the same kind of fault" as well as the capability to have a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami and coastal subsidence. Over 227,000 deaths were reported after a 9.2 earthquake hit Sumatra on December 26, 2004, followed by tsunami in the region. On the other hand, the 9.1 earthquake in Japan's Tohoku left more than 18,000 dead in 2011, Independent reported. Dura told The Washington Post that the sinking of land in the region would alter the coastal communities on a permanent basis. These communities already get to experience floods at the time of king tides. Also Read : Is Gen Z struggling with mental health and happiness? Harvard study uncovers alarming truths When can this happen? As of now, the researchers can't predict the exact time when the catastrophic quake might hit the region. The study noted that the last time when a powerful quake was reported in the Cascadia Subduction Zone was way back in 1700. Dura claims that such major events usually are separated by about 450-500 years, adding that quakes can't be 'evenly spaced' at all times. She stated that "it could happen any day," before pointing out that there are chances that it might not take place anytime until 2100. Further, the researchers highlight that the risk of floods due to a major earthquake in that year remains more than triple the risk that we have in today's times, taking into account the rise in sea levels. Also Read : Great white shark rescue: Father-son duo's heroic act, with help from locals, saves shark on Australian coast FAQs Q1. What is the Cascadia Subduction Zone? A1. Stretching from Northern California to Vancouver Island in Canada, this is the region where one of the planet's crust dives beneath the other one. Q2. Which regions can get affected by the earthquake? A2. As per Independent, it can have major effects in the southern part of Washington as well as northern regions of Oregon and California.
Scientific American
30-04-2025
- Science
- Scientific American
Could a Monster Earthquake Actually Sink Part of California?
Scary headlines about the Pacific Northwest sinking into the sea are circulating online, with warnings that a major earthquake in the notorious Cascadia subduction zone could be worse than expected. What's behind this new alarm? Fortunately, research has not uncovered a new risk that Seattle will become the Lost City of Atlantis. Instead scientists have examined the combined effects of two well-known phenomena: sea-level rise from climate change and the likely consequences of a major earthquake in the region. It was already known that sea level along the coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington State is estimated to rise by 1.3 to 2.9 feet by 2100 because of a warming climate. It was also well known that a magnitude 8 or higher earthquake in the area could cause the coastline to slump by up to 6.5 feet. What the new study, published on April 28 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, adds is an understanding of how much additional land would end up being at a high risk of flooding because of these two combined threats. Why Does Sea-Level Rise Matter? On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. While the East Coast is already seeing the effects of beach erosion and rising sea levels, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) has been protected by its geology—so far. The coast that extends from northern California to Vancouver Island in British Columbia sits on a subduction zone where the Juan de Fuca, Explorer and Gorda oceanic plates slip beneath the North American continental plate—parts of the ever moving slabs of rock that make up our planet. Right now the fault system is quiet, meaning it has not had a large earthquake for more than 300 years, and the coast is gradually rising by a few fractions of an inch each year. This geological uplift, a consequence of the interactions of the tectonic plates, outpaces sea-level rise in many areas, so the PNW has been relatively shielded from effects such as extreme flooding events or coastal erosion. But over the past 7,000 years or so, at least 11 major earthquakes have struck the Cascadia region where these faults reside. The last of these temblors occurred in 1700, and geologists can still see evidence of it causing the coastline to drop between 1.6 and 6.5 feet in the blink of an eye. 'We have these really rooted organic soils that are suddenly overlain by this really clean tidal mud, indicating they were suddenly dropped down and were buried and basically converted to tidal flats,' says Tina Dura, a coastal geologist at Virginia Tech and first author of the new study. What no one had really studied, Dura says, was the combined effect of this sudden subsidence and the slower inundation caused by sea-level rise. How Much of Cascadia Will Become Prone to Floods? Dura and her colleagues looked at earthquake scenarios that would yield different ranges of subsidence, from 1.6 to 6.5 feet. They also compared such an earthquake's effects at today's sea levels with those at sea levels forecasted for 2100. By that time, sea-level rise is expected to outpace the geological uplift of the PNW and may reach as much as 2.9 feet. The team found that if an earthquake that caused more than six feet of subsidence were to happen today, the 100-year floodplain in estuaries in Cascadia would expand by 115 square miles. Were this quake to happen in the year 2100, with the additional pressures of sea-level rise, those estuaries would expand by 145 square miles. That would be triple the flood-prone area that is seen today. How Worried Should We Be? In the event of a magnitude 8 quake in Cascadia, subsidence would not be the first issue on anyone's mind. A large undersea quake could cause a devastating tsunami that would immediately threaten lives and structures. The new study is focused on areas within about six feet of elevation of the current 100-year floodplain, Dura says, and the earthquake-driven tsunami could be more than 30-feet high. A good comparison might be the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 227,000 people around the Indian Ocean or the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 16,000 in Japan. Both caused subsidence, but the severity of the initial disaster far eclipsed concerns about coastal slump. Understanding the subsidence is important for preparation, however, Dura says. Municipal planners may want to avoid building new electrical substations or wastewater treatment plants in the areas that could become floodplains. (A 100-year floodplain has a 1 percent chance of flooding each year.) Tide- or storm-driven flooding of low-lying bridges, roadways and airports in the immediate aftermath of the quake could affect evacuation efforts and rescue attempts. And many people may find that property that was once safe from flooding is now regularly inundated, particularly in built-up areas such as Seaside, Ore., Gearhart, Ore., and Grays Harbor County in Washington State, Dura says. 'The tsunami is a process that takes minutes to hours after the earthquake,' she says, 'whereas, once the tsunami recedes, we're still going to have the land level that has dropped down and changed the floodplain footprint.'
