These interactive simulations allow students to investigate four of nature's more violent phenomena: volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Each simulation begins with a brief written tutorial describing the characteristics and destructive potential of these hazards. Users may then adjust the various factors affecting the occurrence of these phenomena (for instance, ocean temperature, ... Full description.

This report reviews two methods of earthquake prediction: statistical analysis and observation of geophysical precursors of earthquakes. Statistical analysis involves observing the history of earthquake occurrences in a given region to see whether there are patterns or cycles; two case studies are provided as examples: Friuli, Italy and Parkfield, California. Five geophysical precursors, changes in ... Full description.

This report decribes research being carried out in Parkfield, California whose purpose is to better understand the physics of earthquakes: what actually happens on the fault and in the surrounding region before, during and after an earthquake. Ultimately, scientists hope to better understand the earthquake process and, if possible, to provide a scientific basis for earthquake prediction. Topics include ... Full description.

This report describes recent efforts at earthquake prediction, focusing on the modern era beginning in the mid- to late 1970's. Topics include a history of prediction efforts, the measurement of physical parameters in areas where earthquakes occur, and the development of a model upon which predictions could be based. The efforts centered around Parkfield, California, whose well-known seismic history ... Full description.

This tutorial provides general information on soil liquefaction, a hazard associated with earthquakes, for interested lay persons, and more detailed information for engineers. Topics include what soil liquefaction is, and when, where, and why it occurs. There are also suggestions for minimizing the risk of soil liquefaction, links to sites on soil liquefaction research, and links to sites on related ... Full description.

This provides many links to articles, graphics, scientific papers and podcasts to help students understand how scientists determine probabilities for earthquake occurrences. Topics include the locations of faults and how much they need to move in order to release the strain that accumulates; the study of past earthquakes on each fault to predict the size of possible earthquakes that could occur in ... Full description.

This report describes the history of seismic activity at Parkfield, California, which is situated on the San Andreas Fault. It points out that moderate-size earthquakes have occurred on the Parkfield section of the San Andreas fault at fairly regular intervals, and that the earthquakes may have been 'characteristic' in the sense that they occurred with some regularity (mean repetition time of about ... Full description.

In response to the Nisqually earthquake of 2001, the Washington State Division of Geology and Earth Resources (DGER) developed two types of earthquake hazard maps for every county in the state: liquefaction susceptibility maps, which outline areas where water-saturated sandy soil loses strength during earthquake shaking, and National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) site class maps, which ... Full description.

These Frequently-Asked-Questions and answers describe some of the effects of earthquakes. Some of the topics covered include ground shaking, surface faulting, ground failure, and tsunamis. Full description.

This animation shows the retreat of glacial ice, changes in the shoreline, and the disappearance of the land bridge across the Bering Sea which occurred at the end of the last ice age, beginning just over 21,000 years ago. Full description.