The Monitor newsletter - Vol. 4 | Issue Fall 2021
USGS Hazards Science – Be Informed and Be Prepared
Read below to learn about USGS hazards science, National Preparedness Month, and resources available to explore various hazards in more detail or sign up for alerts.
10-Year Anniversary of US’s Most Widely Felt Earthquake
Ten years ago, in the early afternoon of August 23, 2011, millions of people throughout the eastern U.S. felt shaking from a magnitude 5.8 earthquake near Mineral, Virginia. No lives were lost, something experts called “lucky” given the extent of shaking, but property damage was estimated to be in the range of $200 to $300 million.
New Eruption at Kīlauea Summit, Hawaiʻi
Lava fountains feed a lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Down to Earth: Complexities of Geology Affect Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse Hazard
Geoelectric hazards generated by a nuclear explosion at the outer edge of Earth’s atmosphere can be strongly affected by the electrical conductivity of rock structures beneath the Earth's surface, according to a study led by the U.S. Geological Survey.
USGS Launches New One-Stop-Shop for Hurricane Information
Hurricanes pose numerous hazards to coastal communities and ecosystems. The USGS has gathered a broad range of expertise on storm-related hazards and research and compiled them into a handy hub of hurricane information.
2020-2021 Alaska Peninsula Earthquake Sequence
A summary of the earthquake sequence in the Alaska Peninsula during 2020 and 2021. On 29 July 2021, a magnitude (M) 8.2 earthquake occurred southeast of Perryville, Alaska, (south of the Alaska Peninsula). This event was preceded in 2020 by two nearby earthquakes. The first was a M7.8 earthquake (22 July 2020), followed three months later by a M7.6 earthquake (19 October 2020).
A Whole New (Fiery) World
As a wildfire approached Tonto National Monument in Arizona, archaeologists and firefighters rushed to cover the park’s 700-year-old cliff dwellings with fire resistant aluminum wrapping.
Scientists can now “sniff” Yellowstone gases in real time
Much is known about how the chemical compositions of gases vary across the Yellowstone volcanic system, but how they vary in time has remained largely a mystery. Our understanding should greatly improve with a recent installation of a station that continuously monitors gases and communicates those data in real time.
Reducing Flood Risks by Restoring Coral Reefs
Healthy coral reefs are more than just hotspots of marine biodiversity—they’re also invaluable to long-term resilience against coastal storms.