Tag: usgs

Inaugural Meeting for Earthquake Early Warning

Jun 22, 2017 7:39 pm

Today was the first meeting of the California Earthquake Early Warning Advisory Board at the State Capitol. The board consists of leaders from the state agencies, academia, private and public industry, as well as other subject matter experts. Watch the Cal OES Quick Look video below for more on how the inaugural meeting went.

The board was formed after the Governor approved $10 million last year to increase financial support to the state’s seismic network, which consists of researching when and where earthquakes occur in California.  This governance structure serves as a venue for public input on development of the system, as well as oversees implementation of California’s Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) program and provides insight.

 

Members of the board included representatives from Cal OES, California … continue reading »

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Inside Look: California’s Sleeping Giants

Jun 12, 2017 1:36 pm

California is known for earthquakes, but did you know we are also home to eight active volcanoes and more than 500 volcanic vents? What is the likelihood of a volcano erupting in California? In this week’s Inside Look, we talk to the people monitoring California’s volcanoes.

 

 

Links:

Cal OES Earthquake, Tsunami & Volcano Programs

California Volcanoes

USGS California Volcano Observatory

  • List and map of volcanoes in California
  • Hazards Assessment
  • Activity Updates
  • Monitoring

Educational Information

USGS Volcano Hazards Program

  • Learn about U.S. Volcanoes
  • Resources for Educators
  • Volcano Frequently Asked Questions
  • U.S. Volcano List

 How Volcanoes Work

Site is sponsored by NASA under the auspices of Project ALERT (Augmented Learning Environment and Renewable Teaching).

Fact Sheets & Posters

USGS Volcano Hazards Program Fact Sheets & Posters

Volcano Preparedness

Key Facts about Preparing for a Volcano Eruption

Volcano Eruption Fact Sheet … continue reading »

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Volcano Hazards Part of State’s Geological Diversity

May 31, 2017 12:49 pm

Earthquakes. Wildfires. Floods. Landslides. California is among the most disaster-prone states in the country.

Volcano hazards, though not nearly as common, still present a formidable threat to Californians.

Northern California’s Lassen Peak and Mount St. Helens, about 90 miles south of Seattle, Washington, were the only two volcanoes in the United States to erupt during the 20th century. The eruption in Lassen Peak, also commonly referred to as Mount Lassen, destroyed a 3-square-mile area and rained volcanic ash as far as 200 miles away.

In 1980, the major volcanic eruption at Mount St. Helens, caused by an earthquake weakening the north face, killed 57 people and reduced hundreds of square miles to wasteland. The eruption created the largest landslide in U.S. history and was the most significant of its kind since Lassen Peak in 1915.

“More than 500 volcanic … continue reading »

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This Month In Cal OES History: 1983 Coalinga Earthquake

May 31, 2016 3:43 pm

Coalinga, a small city in Fresno County with a population of about 16,000, was rattled by a damaging earthquake 33 years ago this month. Occurring at 4:42 p.m. on May 2, 1983, the shock was felt from the greater Los Angeles area, north to Lassen County in Susanville, and into western Nevada.

A 6.4 magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was caused by an undetected fault under the surface. For two subsequent months following the earthquake, more than 5,000 aftershocks were recorded, with as many as 894 with a magnitude of 2.5 or larger and with the majority occurring in Coalinga.

Though no deaths were reported, the American Red Cross confirmed 94 were injured. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) released a preliminary estimate of property damage at $31 million.

A team … continue reading »

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It’s time to Drop, Cover and Hold On!

Oct 15, 2014 9:56 am

How many times have you practiced “Drop, Cover and Hold On” this year? If the answer is 0, then you have a great opportunity this coming Thursday, October 16 at 10:16 am! 10.9 million Californians have already signed up to take part of The Great California ShakeOut drill surpassing the 9.6 million that participated last year.

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will be joining the thousands of people in this effort to become a more resilient California.

  • DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!)
  • Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
  • HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

If there … continue reading »

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California Leading Development of Earthquake Early Warning System

May 7, 2014 3:08 pm

No one can predict earthquakes, but with science and technology, people can be given enough warning before the shaking begins and that warning could potentially save lives and property.

Wednesday morning, officials from all levels of government, universities and the private sector organizations gathered at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo to discuss plans and continue to develop, brainstorm funding resources and implement the California Earthquake Early Warning System (CEEWS).

The earthquake early warning system stakeholder informational briefing and workshop was held at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo on May 7, 2014.

“The early warning system is on its way, we’ve accomplished more in the last eight months than … continue reading »

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