Earthquake Resources
Newest Hazard Maps, Real-Time earthquake data, historical seismographic data, and Earthquake Early Warning resources.
Selected Publications
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Earthquake outlook for the San Francisco Bay region 2014–2043
Using information from recent earthquakes, improved mapping of active faults, and a new model for estimating earthquake probabilities, the 2014 Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities updated the 30-year earthquake forecast for California. They concluded that there is a 72 percent probability (or likelihood) of at least one earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater striking somewhere inAuthorsBrad T. Aagaard, J. Luke Blair, John Boatwright, Susan H. Garcia, Ruth A. Harris, Andrew J. Michael, David P. Schwartz, Jeanne S. DiLeoReported investments in earthquake mitigation top $73 to $80 billion in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
The purpose of this report is to provide a compilation of structural retrofits and replacements of older buildings and infrastructure in the San Francisco Bay Area that have either been completed since 1989 or that are in progress as of October 2018. For the purposes of this report, all or parts of nine Bay Area counties were included: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo,AuthorsThomas M. Brocher, Kerri Gefeke, John Boatwright, Keith L. KnudsenThe Hayward Fault— Is it due for a repeat of the powerful 1868 earthquake?
On October 21, 1868, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay region. Although the region was then sparsely populated, this quake on the Hayward Fault was one of the most destructive in California's history. Recent studies show that such powerful Hayward Fault quakes have repeatedly jolted the region in the past. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists describe this fault as a tectAuthorsThomas M. Brocher, Jack Boatwright, James J. Lienkaemper, Carol S. Prentice, David P. Schwartz, Howard BundockRevised technical implementation plan for the ShakeAlert system—An earthquake early warning system for the West Coast of the United States
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), along with partner organizations, has developed an earthquake early warning (EEW) system called ShakeAlert for the highest risk areas of the United States: namely, California, Oregon, and Washington. The purpose of the system is to reduce the impact of earthquakes and save lives and property by providing alerts to institutional users and the public. Using networkAuthorsDoug Given, Richard M. Allen, Annemarie S. Baltay, Paul Bodin, Elizabeth S. Cochran, Kenneth Creager, Robert M. de Groot, Lind S. Gee, Egill Hauksson, Thomas H. Heaton, Margaret Hellweg, Jessica R. Murray, Valerie I. Thomas, Douglas Toomey, Thomas S. YelinThe HayWired Earthquake Scenario
ForewordThe 1906 Great San Francisco earthquake (magnitude 7.8) and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (magnitude 6.9) each motivated residents of the San Francisco Bay region to build countermeasures to earthquakes into the fabric of the region. Since Loma Prieta, bay-region communities, governments, and utilities have invested tens of billions of dollars in seismic upgrades and retrofits and replacEarthquake information products and tools from the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS)
This Fact Sheet describes post-earthquake products and tools provided by the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) through the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program. The focus is on products that provide situational awareness immediately after significant earthquakes.AuthorsLisa A. WaldComparison of earthquake early warning systems and the national volcano early warning system at the U.S. Geological Survey
IntroductionEvery year in the United States, natural hazards threaten lives and livelihoods, resulting in thousands of casualties and billions of dollars in damage. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Hazards Mission Area works with many partners to monitor, assess, and research a wide range of natural hazards, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These efforts aim to enhance communAuthorsAleeza Wilkins, Charlie Mandeville, John Power, Doug Given
Selected Online Lectures and Videos
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PubTalk 10/2019 — Remembering Loma Prieta Earthquake 30 Years Later
Remembering the Loma Prieta Earthquake 30 Years Late: Looking back to see how far we've come.
By: Tom Holzer, David Schwartz, Jessica Murray, and Annemarie Baltay -
PubTalk 5/2019 - Rodgers Creek Fault
Title: New Mapping of the Rodgers Creek Fault: It's longer and more complex than we thought
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PubTalk 9/2018 - Hayward Earthquake
Title: The 150th Anniversary of the Damaging 1868 Hayward Earthquake: Why It Matters and How We Can Prepare for Its Repeat
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PubTalk 5/2018 — Yes Humans really are causing induced earthquakes
Title: Yes, Humans Really Are Causing Earthquakes! How Energy Industry Practices are Causing Earthquakes in America's Heartland
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PubTalk-09/2022 - You Can be Powered by ShakeAlert®️ - Earthquake Early Warning for All!
You Can be Powered by ShakeAlert®️ - Earthquake Early Warning for All!
by Robert-Michael de Groot, USGS Earthquake Science Center
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PubTalk-09/2023 - Geothermal Energy Research Within the USGS: Goldilocks to Electricity With Earthquakes in Between
Geothermal Energy Research Within the USGS: Goldilocks to Electricity With Earthquakes in Between
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PubTalk 5/2021 - Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert
Title: Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert: What we've learned from recent fault ruptures in the western U.S.
By Austin J. Elliott, USGS Research Geologist
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