The Monitor Newsletter - Vol. 11 | Issue May 2023
In this issue: the Turkey earthquake sequence, tracking coastal change, BIL funding for geologic mapping, an old volcanic eruption, an old earthquake in southern California, a new wave glider for subduction zone studies, a new study on economic earthquake risk, and more.
New USGS-FEMA study highlights economic earthquake risk in the United States
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Earthquakes cost the nation an estimated $14.7 billion annually in building damage and associated losses according to a new report released jointly today by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the annual Seismological Society of America meeting.
USGS-led Team Discovers Pre-Columbian Tsunami Deposits in Puerto Rico
Paleotsunami deposits unearthed by a USGS-led team of scientists could hold important insights into the seismic and tsunami risks of the Caribbean region.
10 Ways Mount St. Helens Changed Our World
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens had a profound impact on how we live with active volcanoes. Looking back over the last four decades, we have made great strides in understanding volcanic hazards and communicating with at-risk communities so we can better prepare for the next eruption.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps scientists map geology of Puerto Rico
Reston, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that, with substantial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it is investing more than $1 million to conduct the first-ever high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys over Puerto Rico and its surrounding waters.
Earthquake in Southern California 90 Years Ago Changed the Way We Build
The story of the damaging Long Beach earthquake on March 10, 1933.
M7.8 and M7.5 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence near Nurdağı, Turkey (Türkiye)
The M7.8 and M7.5 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence struck near Nurdağı, Turkey (Türkiye) on February 6, 2023.
Discover Coastal and Marine Science of the USGS St. Petersburg
A new interactive geonarrative will take you on a guided journey to explore the research, capabilities, and history of the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Tracking Coastal Change with Photogrammetry (AD)
Monitoring coastal changes is important for the millions of people that live along coasts in the United States, particularly as climate change hastens coastal erosion by raising sea levels and fueling powerful storms. The USGS uses remote-sensing technologies—such as aerial photography, satellite imagery, structure-from-motion photogrammetry, and lidar (laser-based surveying)—to measure…
Groundwater and Coral Health at Moloka'i, Hawai'i
New research from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center and the National Park Service examines how the discharge of submarine groundwater mixes with seawater and potentially impacts the health of coral reefs at Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i.
Federal Scientists Assess Unusual River-Erosion Disaster in Ecuadorian Amazon
An international, interagency team of scientists traveled to rural Ecuador to assess an unusual and catastrophic geohazard: the collapse of a 144-meter-tall (472 foot) lava dam on the Rio Coca, which triggered massive erosion along the river.
USGS participates in the first Caribbean Conservation Community of Practice meeting organized by the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy and the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
Drs. Donya Frank-Gilchrist and Legna Torres-Garcia of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center participated in the Caribbean Conservation Community of Practice meeting organized by the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy and the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.
New Wave Glider will study Earthquake Processes along U.S. Subduction Zones
The USGS has acquired a new state-of-the-art wave glider for constraining plate motions and earthquake processes along U.S. subduction zones.