All articles tagged with #usgs
Kīlauea's summit eruption remains paused while inflation continues; USGS expects lava fountaining episode 51 to occur between July 9 and July 13, though the date could shift with inflation/deflation, and observers report persistent glow from the vents, low tremor, rising tilt, and SO2 emissions around 1,000–5,000 tonnes per day.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean off the southern Oregon coast near the Blanco Fracture Zone, about 175 miles southwest of Eugene, at a depth of roughly six miles. No coastal residents reported feeling it, and the National Weather Service says there is no tsunami threat.
A new, actively boiling pool formed in Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin between June 14–16 after a hydrothermal explosion on June 13. The pool measures about 6.5 by 5.3 meters and sits above an 18.5-meter-long crack, with jets spouting up to 6–9 meters observed on June 18, indicating ongoing activity. Scientists captured video of the eruption and conclude the event likely resulted from ground collapse rather than a larger explosion, though it underscores the park's dynamic, hazardous hydrothermal system and is smaller than the 2024 eruption. No injuries were reported.
Two back-to-back earthquakes—7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes—rocked Caracas, causing collapsing buildings and prompting a state of emergency as Venezuela mobilizes hundreds of rescuers; authorities warn of potentially high casualties, urge evacuation of damaged structures for gas-safety reasons, and monitor aftershocks with international agencies following the crisis.
A small hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone, on June 13, 2026, created multiple new vents and steam-filled pools, with hot water reaching the Firehole River at about 194°F (90°C). By June 18 a new ground feature had become a vigorously boiling pool roughly 21 by 17 feet, and close-range monitoring captured this eruption on cameras about 100 meters away. The incident, following a larger 2024 blast, underscores the unpredictable, hazardous hydrothermal activity in the region and the ongoing need for monitoring to identify potential precursors.
Two powerful earthquakes—7.1 and 7.5 magnitudes—struck near Morón, Venezuela, hammering Caracas with collapsing buildings, prompting evacuations and tsunami alerts for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; officials warned of possible injuries and aftershocks.
A small hydrothermal explosion on June 13, 2026, at Biscuit Basin near Old Faithful formed a new gray, silt-filled pool and vent pathways with water temperatures around 185–200°F. No injuries were reported, and Biscuit Basin has been closed since 2024. Temporary seismic stations are monitoring the evolving vents as scientists note ongoing instability in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal system, including changes observed in nearby waterways.
A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Willits in Mendocino County, Northern California at 8:10 a.m. local time, with USGS placing the depth at 8.1 kilometers; a 2.5-magnitude aftershock followed minutes later.
A magnitude-5.6 earthquake struck northern California near Redwood Valley in Mendocino County, about 8.1 miles deep and felt across the Bay Area at 8:10 a.m. PT; a smaller 2.5 aftershock followed in the same area. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, and officials say a tsunami is not expected as Gov. Newsom’s office says he’s been briefed and monitoring ongoing.
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake offshore Cuba—about 65 miles northwest of Mantua at a depth of 16 miles—was felt in Florida and parts of Mexico, described as the region’s strongest tremor in nearly 150 years; no injuries or major damage were reported, though Florida residents described strong shaking, and Mexican authorities evacuated Cancún and nearby areas (Playa del Carmen and Tulum) as a precaution, while the US Tsunami Warning Center said there is no tsunami danger.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake offshore of Cuba was felt across Florida, including Manatee County, around 2 p.m. Monday; USGS confirmed the quake at about 6 miles deep, with no tsunami threat and officials monitoring Gulf buoys.
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake occurred about 65 miles west-northwest of Mantua off Cuba just after 2 p.m. and was felt across South Florida, including Miami and Tampa. Some buildings were evacuated, but there were no reported injuries or major damage, and officials say there is no tsunami threat. Authorities continue to monitor for aftershocks.
Tremors from a magnitude-6.1 earthquake about 65 miles off Cuba were felt across Southwest Florida; no significant damage reported, USGS revised the initial magnitude from 6.4, and there is no tsunami threat per the National Tsunami Warning Center; authorities will continue monitoring.
A three-foot meteoroid streaked over New England on May 30, 2026, punching through the atmosphere at about 75,000 mph and breaking apart around 40 miles up with an energy near 300 tons of TNT, unleashing a double sonic boom heard from Delaware to Montreal; NASA confirmed it was a natural object, not space debris or a satellite, and no injuries or ground impact were reported, with any fragments likely sinking into the ocean. USGS registered no seismic event, highlighting how atmospheric fireballs can be detected and documented without earthquakes. This event fits into a year with several large fireballs and underscores the growing role of coordinated observation networks in recording such phenomena.
A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Tyrrhenian Sea about 11 miles southwest of Scarcelli, Italy, at 12:12 a.m. CET, per the USGS; scientists may revise the magnitude and shake-map as data comes in, and aftershocks have been detected in the area.