Tracking Nevada’s Seismic Dynamics
Insights from Tectonic Modeling and Seismic Monitoring
Nevada sits atop the complex intersection of multiple tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions (Third most active state-wise) in the country. Given Nevada’s high susceptibility to earthquakes, accurate tectonic modeling and timely seismic monitoring are crucial for several reasons including public safety (around densely populated urban areas of Las Vegas and Reno, and critical infrastructure such as dams, highways, and airports), infrastructure resilience (enabling engineers and policymakers to design and retrofit buildings and infrastructure to withstand seismic events), resource management (managing resources for disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts, prioritization of funds and manpower to areas most in need) etc.
To gain insights into how Nevadans are trying to stay atop earthquake preparedness, this story features interviews of two UNR scientists, Corné Kremmer, Ph.D. and William Savran, Ph.D., from the Nevada Seismological Lab.
In the world of geophysics, predicting earthquakes remains an insurmountable challenge. While pinpointing exact locations and times eludes scientists, given current technological limitations, they’ve made significant strides in identifying quake-prone areas and estimating potential sizes of future quakes. Through rigorous research, innovative methodologies, sophisticated monitoring networks and intricate computational models, scientists have embarked on a journey to decode the intricate language of the Earth’s shifting tectonic plates.
” People in the seismological laboratory record all the tiny little earthquakes that happen all the time. It’s important to record those because ultimately the big earthquakes in the future are likely gonna be in the same places where the small earthquakes are happening”.
— Prof. Corné Kremmer
Tectonic Modeling offers insights into the dynamic processes shaping our planet’s surface. By simulating the intricate interactions of tectonic plates, scientists can unravel the complexities of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation. These models deepen the understanding of Earth’s geological history and enables forecasting potential hazards, aiding in disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. Moreover, tectonic modeling plays a crucial role in various fields, from resource exploration to climate studies, highlighting its interdisciplinary significance.
” Our network is just for monitoring, it’s just recording ground shaking inside the earth. We don’t do any prediction and its impossible to predict earthquakes at this time. So, we are strictly just listening for seismic waves traveling through the earth“.
— Dr. William Savran
Earthquake Monitoring plays a pivotal role in safeguarding lives, infrastructure, and communities. By continuously tracking seismic activity, scientists can provide early warnings and vital information for disaster preparedness and response in earthquake-prone regions. Furthermore, earthquake monitoring contributes to advancing scientific understanding of tectonic processes, aiding in the development of more accurate predictive models.
