USGS to incorporate induced seismicity in earthquake prediction modeling

The U.S. Geological Survey released a report on preliminary models of earthquakes triggered by human activity, or induced seismicity, to be added into U.S. hazard modeling.

EARTH: Fire-driven Clouds and Swirling Winds Whipped Up Record-Setting New Mexico Blaze

he massive 2011 Las Conchas Fire near Los Alamos, N.M., defied conventional fire science wisdom by racing downhill instead of uphill, and increasing intensity overnight. Now, EARTH Magazine brings you recent scientific analysis of the fire from a research team at Los Alamos National Lab.

Western Governors voice support for Wildfire Disaster Funding Act

The Western Governors’ Association sent a letter to Congress expressing their support for two wildfire-related bills.

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee advances tsunami warning bill

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee marked up and passed the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015 (H.R.34) on February 26.

EARTH Magazine: Hazard Lingers After South Napa Earthquake

After the Aug. 24, 2014, Napa Valley earthquake, movement continued along the principal fault to the north of the epicenter, according to a report released by the U.S. Geological Survey. Such "afterslip" is known from previous quakes, but this is the first time that strong afterslip has been observed in a populated residential community.

Wildfire funding bill reintroduced by Sen. Wyden and Crapo

Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) reintroduced a bill to help fund wildfire suppression operations. If enacted, the bill would allow budget overruns incurred from fighting wildfires to be paid for with money earmarked to natural disasters rather than non-fire allocated accounts or fire prevention funding.

House passes bills on tsunami and windstorm research

On January 7, the House passed two bills that focus on research and preparedness for tsunami and windstorm hazards.

EARTH Magazine: The '100-year-flood' fallacy: Return periods misleading in communication of flood risk

Return periods refer to the amount of time that passes on average between consecutive events of similar magnitude for a given location. But when it comes to communicating potential risk from flooding, return periods give many people a false sense of security, partly because they are often mistaken as absolutes instead of averages.

Joint SR 530 Landslide Commission releases final report on Oso Landslide

On December 15, the Washington State Joint SR 530 Landslide Commission released its final report in response to the tragic March 2014 Oso landslide that destroyed homes and roads and claimed 43 lives.

Los Angeles Mayor proposes seismic retrofit for riskiest buildings

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti released a report on December 8 that proposes new, stricter building codes aimed at the structures mostly likely to collapse in an earthquake.

American Geosciences Institute

natural hazards