In the USA, various natural phenomena occur that can pose certain dangers to the population. The most common are earthquakes, which happen daily. This is primarily due to the country’s geographic position on the San Andreas Fault and the Pacific Ring of Fire. Consequently, the USGS (US Geological Survey) monitors seismic activity, gathering real-time data such as the exact time, epicenter location, and magnitude from states including California, Hawaii, Texas, Alaska, and New York, among others. In this context, I present the latest reports from the United States Geological Service regarding today’s earthquakes, Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Earthquake in the US today, Tuesday, July 23, via USGS
Check the Official USGS report on the latest tremors in the US confirmed today from the states of California, Hawaii, Texas, Alaska, and New York. This data is corroborated by the interactive map at Latest Earthquakes and the alert system ShakeAlert. It is important to note that not all seismic movements are perceptible due to their low intensity, the location of the epicenter, and the depth.
Why do earthquakes occur in the state of California?
California sits atop two tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate covers most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California coastline, whereas the North American Plate encompasses most of the North American continent and sections of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
The primary boundary between these plates is the San Andreas Fault, extending over 650 miles and reaching a depth of less than 10 miles. Numerous smaller faults, including the Hayward Fault (northern California) and the San Jacinto Fault (southern California), branch off from the San Andreas Fault.
Additionally, the Pacific Plate is moving northwestward past the North American Plate at approximately two inches per year. Portions of the San Andreas fault system accommodate this motion through continual “slipping,” leading to many small tremors and some moderate earthquakes.
What are the areas of high seismic activity in the United States?
The states that are most likely to experience tremors include Texas, California, Alaska, Utah, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, among others, due to their location along the San Andreas Fault, one of the major geological faults in the country.
The USGS has released a new report detailing seismic zones in the United States where a strong earthquake is highly probable. (Photo: USGS)
How should you act before, during, and after an earthquake in the United States?
I am sharing a helpful list of recommended actions to take to prepare for a strong earthquake in the United States or any other country. Implement the following safety recommendations:
Before the earthquake in the United States
- Regularly check your home’s infrastructure.
- Install security locks, cabinets, and shelving.
- Store fragile items in secure places.
- Always have a first aid kit available.
- Establish an optimal meeting point that is safe for your family.
- Educate family members on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water taps.
- Create a list of emergency numbers to reach doctors, police, Civil Protection, and others.
During the earthquake in the United States
- Stay away from windows, mirrors, and sharp objects that may fall.
- Take shelter under a sturdy table or against a door frame.
- Protect your head and neck with your arms.
- Avoid using elevators; take the stairs instead during the earthquake.
- Do not rush out of a building while the earthquake is occurring.
After the earthquake in the United States
- Seek medical assistance for individuals with severe injuries.
- Provide first aid and emotional support to those injured.
- Avoid using your mobile phone unnecessarily to prevent overloading the lines.
- Inspect your home for structural damage.
- Shut off taps to prevent potential leaks of electricity, water, or gas.
- Avoid lighting candles, matches, or any items that could ignite a fire.
USGS seismic hazard maps explained
Bibliography of earthquakes in the USA
In USA, natural phenomena of all kinds occur, which sometimes represent a certain danger for the population. The most frequent are earthquakes, which occur daily. This is mainly due to the country’s geographic location on the San Andreas fault and the Pacific Ring of Fire. For this reason, the USGS (US Geological Survey) analyzes each level of seismicity, collecting real-time data such as the exact time, the location of the epicenter, and the magnitude from states like California, Hawaii, Texas, Alaska, and New York, among others. In that context, I share with you the latest reports from the United States Geological Service on today’s earthquakes, Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Earthquake in the US today, Tuesday, July 23, via USGS
Check the Official USGS report for the Latest tremors in the US confirmed today from California, Hawaii, Texas, Alaska, and New York. Data corroborated by the interactive map of Latest Earthquakes and the alert system ShakeAlert. It should be noted that not all seismic movements are perceptible due to their low intensity, the area where the epicenter occurred, and the depth.
Why do earthquakes occur in the state of California?
California is home to two tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate comprises most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California coast, while the North American Plate comprises most of the North American continent and parts of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
The main boundary between these two plates is the San Andreas Fault, which is more than 650 miles long and extends to a depth of less than 10 miles. Many other smaller faults, such as the Hayward (northern California) and San Jacinto (southern California) faults, branch off and join the San Andreas Fault.
The Pacific Plate is advancing northwestward past the North American Plate at a rate of about two inches per year. Parts of the San Andreas fault system accommodate this motion by constantly “slipping,” which results in many small shocks and some moderate earthquakes.
What are the areas of high seismic activity in the United States?
The states most likely to experience tremors are California, Texas, Alaska, Utah, Virgin Islands, and Hawaii, because they are located along the San Andreas Fault, one of the main geological faults in the country. The USGS released its new report on seismic zones in the United States where there is a high probability of a strong earthquake.
How should you act before, during, and after an earthquake in the United States?
I am sharing with you a useful list of good actions that you should take to be able to face a strong earthquake in the United States or any other country in the world. Put into practice the following safety recommendations:
Before the Earthquake in the United States
- Constantly check your home’s infrastructure.
- Install security locks, cabinets, and shelving.
- Store the most fragile objects in safe places.
- Always have a first aid kit.
- Find an optimal meeting point that provides enough security for your family.
- Educate your family members on how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water taps.
- Make a list of emergency numbers to contact doctors, police, and civil protection.
During the Earthquake in the United States
- Stay away from windows, mirrors, and sharp objects that could fall to the floor.
- Find shelter under a sturdy table or put yourself under a door frame.
- Cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Avoid using elevators; take the stairs during the earthquake.
- Never run out of a building when an earthquake is in motion.
After the Earthquake in the United States
- Seek medical help for people with serious injuries.
- Provide first aid and emotional support to injured people who need it.
- Do not use your mobile phone irresponsibly to avoid overloading the lines.
- Check your home for structural damage.
- Turn off the taps to avoid possible leaks of electricity, water, or gas.
- Do not light candles, matches, or any other item that could cause a fire.
USGS Seismic Hazard Maps Explained
The USGS seismic hazard maps are essential tools for understanding earthquake risks in different regions of the United States. These maps are based on extensive scientific research and data analysis, indicating areas most likely to experience strong ground shaking. By analyzing the geology and seismic history of a region, the USGS can provide insights that help inform building codes and emergency preparedness plans.
Each zone is categorized into one of several risk levels, ranging from low to high, helping communities understand their risk profile. Surgeons, architects, and city planners can utilize this information to develop structures capable of withstanding potential seismic activity.
Bibliography of Earthquakes in the USA
| Date | Location | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | California | 4.5 |
| February 15, 2023 | Alaska | 6.1 |
| March 10, 2023 | Texas | 3.9 |
| April 25, 2023 | Hawaii | 5.2 |
