Earthquakes

An earthquake is a sudden and sometimes catastrophic movement of a part of the earth's surface. Earthquakes result from the dynamic release of elastic strain energy that radiates seismic waves. Earthquakes typically result from the movement of faults, planar zones of deformation within the earth's upper crust.

Scientists in the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography conduct numerous studies of Earth, including research on earthquakes that occur in its oceans, as well as on land. Scripps researchers operate the global IDA Seismic Network and a geophysical observatory near Palm Springs. Earthquake research has been under way at Scripps for decades as scientists are attempting to understand why earthquakes occur and where they are most likely to strike.

• BBC News
  How earthquakes happen:
• Scripps has been a core institution of the Southern California Earthquake Center since its creation in 1991. Read about technical information about earthquakes, access mitigation materials, and learn about acclaimed resources such as "Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country"
• Scripps's Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP) Broadband Seismic Data Collection Center website for recent earthquake activity
• Seismic Information (real-time)
• Seismic Waveform Information (real-time)
• Special Earthquake Events (noteworthy earthquakes, both local and global)
• The Visualization Center at Scripps showcases the latest technology and data in earth science, including earthquake data
• Visual Object Library (3-D visualizations)
• Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami March 25, 2005 (Scripps Visualization Center)
• Earthscope Array Network Facility website and recent news on earthquake activity
• Scripps's Project IDA global network of broadband and long period seismometers to track earthquakes and other seismic activity
• ROADNet relays high-tech, real-time applications and data right to your computer

Educational Resources from the Scripps Visualization Center

IN THE NEWS
Recent news article about the Scripps Visualization Center