West Valley Fault’s Post

🚨 Game-Changing Advancement in Earthquake Prediction 🚨 Scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) have developed an innovative method to predict major earthquakes months in advance, transforming the way we approach disaster preparedness. 🌍 This new technology could provide critical early warnings, giving governments and communities the time needed to retrofit infrastructure, evacuate residents, and organize resources in regions like California, Japan, and Chile—where the risk of catastrophic damage looms large. This is a major leap forward in seismology and could be a game-changer for global safety and disaster management. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Months of early warning for major earthquakes Advanced seismic signal monitoring Potential to save thousands of lives Critical for high-risk regions globally Want to know how this method works and what it means for future disaster preparedness? 🌐 Read our full article: https://lnkd.in/duq29hda #EarthquakePrediction #DisasterPreparedness #TechForGood #SeismicResearch #InfrastructureSafety #Innovation #UAF #NaturalDisasters #FutureOfSafety

Revisiting 1868 to Inform Disaster Preparedness - 1/6: What was up with Maunaloa? The series of disasters on Hawaiʻi Island between March 27 and April 11, 1868 includes the largest earthquake ever reported in Hawaiʻi, estimated at magnitude 7.9, to go along with two other magnitude 7’s and countless smaller events, devastating landslides and tsunamis, four eruptions in total at both Maunaloa and Kīlauea volcanoes’ summits and southwest rifts, and finally significant collapses atop each volcano. If such a sequence were to repeat today, residents’ knowledge and preparedness could go a long way in mitigating its impact, especially in minimizing the damage to human lives and well-being. In that spirit, we present a series of 6 short articles that recap each phase of the sequence and its relevance to those of us on-island. Today, we examine the first phase of the sequence, from March 27 to the early afternoon of April 2, 1868. It all began then with a brief Maunaloa summit eruption, whose glow was visible beneath a massive column of fume at dawn from the whaleships in Kawaihae harbor on the northwest part of the island, as well as Maui and Molokaʻi. Full write-up: https://lnkd.in/e-72UySF #Maunaloa #DisasterPreparedness #HawaiiDisasterPreparedness #HawaiiEarthquakes

New Post: Japan issues first-ever ‘megaquake’ advisory, leaving citizens scared, confused - https://lnkd.in/gz9tei7K, one of the most earthquake-prone nations on earth, issued its first-ever "megaquake advisory" last week after a powerful quake struck off the southeastern coast of the southern main island of Kyushu.The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage but the advisory has led to widespread confusion and a lingering sense of worry — in a country well accustomed to regular quakes — about when the next big one will hit.The Associated Press explains what the advisory means, what people are being told to do, and what could happen if a massive quake hits Japan.7.1 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES OFF JAPAN'S COAST, TSUNAMI ADVISORY ISSUEDThe Japan Meteorological Agency issued the advisory after concluding that the magnitude 7.1 quake that struck on Aug. 8 on the western edge of the Nankai Trough increased the likelihood of another big one.There is a 70-80% chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake associated with the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years, and the probability is now "higher than normal" after the latest quake, the JMA says.But that is not a prediction that a megaquake will happen at any specific time or location, says University of Tokyo seismologist Naoshi Hirata, who heads the JMA’s experts panel. He urged people to remain cautious and prepared.The Nankai Trough is an undersea trench that runs from Hyuganada, in the waters just off the southeastern coast of Kyushu, to Suruga Bay in central Japan. It spans about 500 miles along the Pacific coast.The Philippine Sea Plate there slowly pulls down on the Eurasian Plate and causes it to occasionally snap back, an action that could lead to a megaquake and tsunami, JMA says.The last Nankai Trough quake off Shikoku in 1946 recorded a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 and killed more than 1,300 people.In 2013, a government disaster prevention team said a magnitude 9.1 Nankai Trough quake could generate a tsunami exceeding 33 feet within minutes, killing as many as 323,000 people, destroying more than 2 million buildings and causing economic damage of more than $1.5 trillion to large swaths of Japan’s Pacific coast.As a result of the "megaquake advisory," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled his planned Aug. 9-12 trip to Central Asia and announced he would lead the government response and ensure preventive measures and communication with the public.The Fire and Disaster Management Agency instructed 707 municipalities seen as at risk from a Nankai Trough quake to review their response measures and evacuation plans.Experts and officials have urged people to stay calm and carry on their daily social and economic activities while also securing emergency food and water and discussing evacuation plans with family members.In a reassuring note on Monday, JMA experts said they have so far

🚨Petra Alert🚨 Within the last hour, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in Northern California, approximately 30 miles off the coast of Eureka, CA. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues tsunami warnings for the United States through its Tsunami Warning Centers. In California, these warnings are disseminated by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and local emergency management agencies. Alerts are broadcast via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to mobile devices, NOAA Weather Radio, and other public alert systems. In anticipation of any aftershocks, tremors, or additional earthquakes, we recommend hotels promptly evacuate guests and staff to locations at least 0.25 miles inland or 50 feet above sea level. If evacuation is not feasible, implement vertical evacuation by moving individuals to the upper floors of sturdy, reinforced buildings. Ensure that staff are trained to assist all guests, particularly those with mobility challenges, and communicate evacuation instructions clearly in multiple languages if necessary. Keep emergency kits accessible and remain in safe zones until authorities declare the area secure. Preparedness and swift action are crucial to ensuring safety and minimizing risks. Thank you and stay safe. https://lnkd.in/gjdq73NV

Japan just had a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, triggering a Tsunami warning. Japan and its surrounding areas account for 18% of earthquakes in the world. Japan and earthquakes go hand in hand due to the country's position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, and on the convergence of four major tectonic plates - the Pacific, Philippine, Eurasian, and North American plates. The Pacific Plate, in particular, is responsible for much of Japan's seismic unrest. As the world's largest tectonic plate, it is perpetually colliding and grinding against the smaller Eurasian and North American plates under the Japanese archipelago. Compounding this precarious tectonic positioning is Japan's mountainous terrain, which is the product of ancient seismic activity. The ongoing deformation and uplift of the Japanese landmass creates inherent structural instability that is routinely shaken by tremors and temblors. Tragically, Japan's long history of deadly quakes underscores the country's unenviable status as one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions. Yet remarkably, the Japanese people have cultivated a culture of earthquake preparedness that is the envy of the world. Rigorous building codes, advanced early warning systems, and community-based disaster planning have saved countless lives. Japan's resilience in the face of these natural calamities is a testament to the country's strength of spirit and unwavering determination.

Revisiting 1868 to Inform Disaster Preparedness - 5/6: Maunaloa Erupts at Kahuku Kaʻū had been quieter for several days following the Great Quake and its immediate aftershocks, but on April 6 the shaking intensified again. Many people slept outside that night, fearful of houses damaged by countless earthquakes coming down upon them. Fine ash is reported to have fallen overnight, well before the eruption of any lava. It seems likely that Maunaloa’s summit began to collapse at some point following the Great Quake, intensifying on April 6 with renewed seismicity. As we experienced on Kīlauea in 2018, the collapses and accompanying quakes probably lasted until the end of the coming eruption, which was to be April 11. According to preliminary work by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, despite that relatively short time, the collapse of Maunaloa in 1868 may have been larger than that of Kīlauea in 2018 which took a full 3 months to complete. Maps from before and after the collapse illustrate the enlargement of Maunaloa’s caldera, Mokuʻāweoweo, though the innermost collapse craters were refilled by subsequent eruptions (also similar to Kīlauea since 2018). Full write-up: https://lnkd.in/gw9MibRB

Five years ago (tomorrow), a M6.4 earthquake struck near #Ridgecrest, CA. Check out our new blog highlighting action taken by geologists, damage from the quake, how earthquakes are researched, and why this information is important. https://lnkd.in/gzkgzEQ8 These events remind us that CA is earthquake country and it’s always a good time to prepare. California Natural Resources Agency U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) California Governor's Office of Emergency Services #CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey #EarthquakePreparedness #EarthquakePrep #BePrepared #EarthquakeWarningCA #MyShakeApp

I am pleased to share our recently published paper titled: "Performance of Water Supply During the February 6th Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes," now available in Earthquake Spectra. You can access the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dWQ36aDb - by Selcuk Toprak, Brad Wham, PhD, engin nacaroğlu, Muhammet Ceylan, Oğuz Dal. This study examines the impact of the February 6th, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on water supply systems, focusing on: Assessment of damage to water infrastructure. Analysis of system performance during and after the seismic events. Recommendations for enhancing resilience in water supply networks in earthquake-prone regions. I believe these findings offer valuable insights into infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness.

What’s Shaking Alaska?! Welcome to your seismic update from across the state. Over the past week, we recorded about 420 seismic events, three of which were reported as felt. The largest event was a magnitude 6.0 earthquake on the evening of July 19th. While this is a significant earthquake, it occurred in the sparsely populated western Aleutians, and at a depth of 16 miles, so there was only 1 report of it being felt. We are in the midst of our summer field season! That means maintaining and repairing our seismic stations, which are designed to withstand much of what Alaska throws at them. Many of our 254 stations are in remote parts of the state, so they are powered by batteries and solar panels. Thus, battery swaps are a key part of our summer work. Each site needs one or two dozen heavy-duty batteries, similar to a car battery. The main types of batteries we use are rechargeable, powered by solar panels. We transport the batteries to the site by trucks, planes, and helicopters, but the last step always involves carrying each 55-65 pound battery by hand and installing it in the hut. The hut power systems and solar panels are designed to withstand bear and mountain goat attacks, strong winds, heavy snow loads, and lack of sunlight in winter. Each site gets a new set of batteries about every 10 years. The resilience of our seismic network depends on a reliable source powering each station through Alaska’s extreme conditions. Learn more in our webstory https://lnkd.in/gfGx5EkW. Staying safe means being aware and prepared. Learn more at earthquake.alaska.edu, or on social media at akearthquake. For detailed seismicity reports, visit the Earthquakes tab on our website.

Really good article that I'm excited to see begins to touch on one of the biggest challenges we'll face some day if earthquakes can ever be predicted - Alert and Warning! From an Emergency Management perspective, this is such a critical thing to talk about. It is challenging enough to communicate to people living in Washington that #earthquake and #tsunami preparedness should just be part of the culture here, when the probability of a Magnitude 9+ subduction zone earthquake hitting this location is roughly 15-25%, in the next 50 years. So... it could happen this afternoon. Tomorrow. Next week. Next year? 10 years from now? Aand on down the line - and there's still a pretty high chance it won't even happen in our lifetimes. Even in this case, where for a short period of time, that probability was increased (the article says scientists estimated that the quake is about 16x more likely)... what does 16x more likely mean to the average person, when there's still a good chance it won't happen for another 100 years. While there is a lot of uncertainty, a couple messages we try to communicate are that 1) You and your family are going to be a lot better off when it happens some day if you've taken time to prepare now; 2) A cascadia Subduction zone earthquake is not the only earthquake or tsunami source in the area - there are plenty of other faults/sources to prepare for, and; 3) being prepared for earthquakes is part of understanding your hazards - doing so will make sure that you're very prepared the next time something more common happens. A flood, a fire, or even a power outage from a storm. Still, if there are eventually earthquake predictions, the #EmergencyManagement field is going to have to spend a lot of time looking into what that means. On such a low likelihood, do we encourage evacuation? For how long? How do we ensure resources are available for the traffic surges off the coast? How do we message the uncertainty in a way that allows people to best make good decisions? Which areas would we e courage evacuation from (besides tsunami hazard areas of course)? and more! So many potential questions! ...that's not to say I would not be thrilled if we got accurate earthquake prediction available - the life saving implications would be incredible! It is just something that would require looking at earthquake hazards in a number of completely new ways. Check out the article to learn more about the history of the situation that caused Japan's Meteorological agency to issue a forecast of increased Subduction zone earthquake likelihood, how it wad rescinded later on, and some good commentary on our area's hazard and challenges. https://lnkd.in/gWbsJ4tv #Preparedness #Communication #GeologicHazards