U.S. Geological Survey News

Scientists: Hawaii’s Kilauea Not Erupting, Reversing Warning

Hawaii’s second–largest volcano is not erupting, scientists said in an update to a previous warning. The U.S. Geological Survey said in a statement that seismic activity beneath the summit of Kilauea “has returned to background levels, ground deformation has stabilized, …

Light Earthquake Confirmed in Southern California

A light earthquake centered offshore gave Southern California an early morning wake-up call Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. There were no reports of damage. The 2 a.m. quake occurred beneath the ocean 10.6 miles south of Malibu, the USGS …

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts Again, Summit Crater Glows

Hawaii’s Kilauea began erupting inside its summit crater, the U.S. Geological Survey said, less than one month after the volcano and its larger neighbor Mauna Loa stopped releasing lava. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected a glow in webcam images indicating …

M5.4 Earthquake in Northern California Confirmed in area Damaged in Earlier Quake

A moderate New Year’s Day earthquake rattled the region of Northern California where a stronger quake nearly two weeks ago killed two people and left widespread damage, authorities said. The earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 struck at 10:35 …

M6.4 in Northern California Leaves Tens of Thousands Without Power

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck northern California on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake struck roughly 200 miles north of San Francisco in the vicinity of the Mendocino triple junction where the Pacific, North America and Juan …

Lava on Hawaii’s Big Island Could Block Main Highway, Interrupt Businesses

Many people on the Big Island of Hawaii are bracing for major upheaval if lava from Mauna Loa volcano slides across a key highway and blocks the quickest route connecting two sides of the island. The molten rock could make …

M4.4 Earthquake Confirmed in Northwest Oregon

A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck northwest Oregon, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. No damage was reported but KOIN reports that people from Albany to the Portland metro area reported feeling the temblor on Friday. According to the USGS, the earthquake …

California Railroad Testing Use of Quake Alerts to Halt Trains

A Southern California regional passenger rail service announced that it is testing technology that will use the West Coast’s earthquake early warning system to automatically slow or stop trains before shaking begins. The five-county Metrolink system said the technology is …

M4.1 Earthquake Confirmed in San Francisco Bay Area

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake gave the San Francisco Bay Area an early morning wake-up call Thursday. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the 4:07 a.m. quake struck several miles northwest of Bay Point at a depth of 12.2 miles. The area …

Earthquakes Recorded Near Long-Dormant Alaska Volcano

Hundreds of small earthquakes have been reported near a volcano in southeast Alaska believed to have been dormant for at least 800 years, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed The cause of the quakes under Mount Edgecumbe, a volcano near Sitka …