GeoSeismic Labs Reports: Early Edition

All information reported here is based upon data collection and analysis using procedures that are considered "experimental" and might be of a shocking nature to some individuals. Read and use at your own risk!

SAN JACINTO FAULT ALERT: Wrightwood to Anza, CA

Mount St. Helens Volcano Eruption Update:

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington

Mount St. Helens Volcano, January 31, 2005 09:35 a.m. PST (0935 UTC)

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. 
Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, 
low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor 
production of ash. During such eruptions, episodic changes 
in the level of activity can occur over days to months. 
The eruption could also intensify suddenly or with little 
warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous 
conditions within several miles of the crater and farther 
downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle 
River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot 
rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible 
hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but 
could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Potential ash hazards:Wind forecasts from the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled 
with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise 
above the crater rim today would drift northeast in the 
morning, shifting to eastward in the afternoon.

Recent observations: Yesterday’s clear skies throughout 
the region brought good views of a steam plume that 
drifted lazily upward to above 11,000 ft, about 3,000 ft 
above the volcano’s rim. The steam is generated almost 
entirely from the hot rock at the north end of the new 
lava dome. A small ash-fall deposit was seen mantling 
new snow on the crater wall and southeast flank. This 
fallout probably originated by rockfall off the new 
dome sometime Friday or Saturday. Today, with the 
mountain fogged in and rain in the forecast, we’re 
stuck with only instrumental evidence of the eruption. 
Seismometers record small earthquakes (M<1.5) occurring
sporadically beneath the new dome. GPS receivers show 
continued slow extrusion of the new lava dome.

The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington 
continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue 
additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

Telephone recordings with the latest update on Mount St. 
Helens and phone contacts for additional information can 
be heard by calling:

Media (360) 891-5180

General public (360) 891-5202

OTHER CASCADE VOLCANOES

All other volcanoes in the Cascade Range are all at normal 
levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, 
Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, and Mount Adams in Washington 
State; Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry, 
and Crater Lake, in Oregon; and Medicine Lake, Mount Shasta, 
and Lassen Peak in northern California.

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, the Pacific Northwest 
Seismograph Network at the University of Washington, and 
the USGS Northern California Seismic Network and Volcano 
Hazards Team in Menlo Park, California, monitor the major 
volcanoes in the Cascade Range of northern California, 
Oregon, and Washington.

The Latest Eruption Update for the Unrest at Mt. Saint Helens, WA

Definition of Alert Levels

Mount St. Helens Satellite Imagery

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics, please visit:

Pacific Northwest Seismic Network

Caution: You may need to refresh the displayed page in order to view the latest live Volcano-Webcam.

Links to Phenomena Associated with Earthquakes Worldwide

Icelandic water making waves in seismology

Earthquakes—Rattling the Earth’s Plumbing System

Earthquake Lights: Kobe Earthquake in Japan 1995

Recent Infrasonics Associated with Deep
Crustal Resonant Frequency Activity along
the Pacific and North American Plate Boundary

The Great Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami
December 26, 2004

Today's shallow, thrust-type earthquake occurred off the west 
coast of northern Sumatra at the interface between the India 
and Burma plates. In this region, the Burma plate is 
characterized by significant strain partitioning due to oblique 
convergence of the India and Australia plates to the west and the 
Sunda and Eurasian plates to the east. Off the west coast of 
northern Sumatra, the India plate is moving in a northeastward 
direction at about 5 cm per year relative to the Burma plate. 
Preliminary locations of larger aftershocks following today's 
earthquake show that approximately 1000 km of the plate boundary 
slipped as a result of the earthquake. Aftershocks are distributed 
along much of the shallow plate boundary between northern Sumatra 
(approximately 3 degrees north) to near Andaman Island 
(at about 14 degrees north).

INITIAL REPORT:
26 DEC 2004  (361)

ot  = 00:58:50.76   +/-   0.22  OFF W COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA 
lat =       3.298   +/-    7.1
lon =      95.779   +/-    6.8              MAGNITUDE 9.0 (HRV)      
dep =        10.0  (geophysicist)

250 km (155 miles) SSE of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia
320 km (200 miles) W of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
1260 km (780 miles) SSW of BANGKOK, Thailand
1605 km (1000 miles) NW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
 
At least 3,000 people killed in Sri Lanka, 2,300 in India, 2,000
in Indonesia, 289 in Thailand, 42 in Malaysia, 8 in Somalia and 2
in Bangladesh by tsunamis. Tsunamis also occurred on the coasts of
Maldives and Cocos Island. At least 200 people killed, buildings
destroyed or damaged in the Banda Aceh area, Sumatra. Felt widely
in Sumatra. Also felt in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Singapore and Thailand. This is now the fourth largest earthquake
in the world since 1900 and is the largest since the 1964 Prince
William Sound, Alaska earthquake.

LATEST REPORT:
26 DEC 2004  (361)

ot  = 00:58:53.22   +/-   0.13  OFF W COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA 
lat =       3.316   +/-    4.1
lon =      95.854   +/-    3.8              MAGNITUDE 9.0 (HRV)      
dep =        30.0  (geophysicist)

250 km (155 miles) SSE of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia
310 km (195 miles) W of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
1260 km (780 miles) SSW of BANGKOK, Thailand
1605 km (990 miles) NW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
 
At least 79,900 people were killed by the earthquake and tsunami
in Indonesia. Tsunamis killed at least 41,000 people in Sri Lanka,
10,000 in India, 4,000 in Thailand, 120 in Somalia, 90 in Myanmar,
66 in Malaysia, 46 in Maldives, 10 in Tanzania, 2 in Bangladesh, 1
in Seychelles and 1 in Kenya. Tsunamis caused damage in Madagascar
and Mauritius and also occurred on Cocos Island and Reunion. The
tsunami crossed into the Pacific Ocean and was recorded in New
Zealand and along the west coast of South and North America. The
earthquake was felt (VIII) at Banda Aceh and (V) at Medan, Sumatra
and (II-IV) in parts of Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives,
Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. A mud volcano near
Baratang, Andaman Islands began erupting on December 28. This is
the fourth largest earthquake in the world since 1900 and is the
largest since the 1964 Prince William Sound, Alaska earthquake.

Sumatra Earthquake Global Displacement Wavefield

The Great Earthquake and Tsunami of 26 December 2004 in Southeast Asia

Preliminary report of numerical computation of tsunamis
generated by the December 26, 2004
Off Sumatra Island Earthquake, Indonesia

India’s last active volcano erupts in Andaman Islands

Info about Barren 1 Active Volcano in Andaman Islands, India

Eastern California Shear Zone
CA/NV Border/Eastern Sierras/Yellowstone
Tectonic and Volcanic Activity

How Volcanoes Work

Yellowstone Swarm Report: 2004

Volcanoes of Canada

The Long Valley Caldera: White Mountains Region

Living With a Restless Caldera:Long Valley, California

Future Eruptions in California's Long Valley Area--What's Likely

Adobe Hills Volcanic Field

Summary of Holocene eruptive activity and probable greatest hazards from future eruptions at volcanic centers in California

Eruptions from the Inyo chain about 600 Years ago: sequence of events and effects in the Long Valley Area

Long Valley Tilt Meters

Photo Gallery of the Long Valley area, California

ERS radar interferometry reveals strain transient in the Eastern California Shear Zone

Lithospheric Dynamics and Continental Deformation

USGS California Tiled 2 Degree Maps

USGS California Quarternary Fault and Fold Database Maps

Graphic: Map of Volcanic Hazard Zones for California

Potential Sources for Earthquakes in Northern California

Pulling the Rug Out from Under California

Giant Earthquakes Beneath Canada's West Coast

The role of stress transfer in earthquake occurrence

The San Andreas Fault system through the Transverse Ranges as illuminated by earthquakes

Graphic: General Location Map of the Long Valley area, California

San Jacinto Fault Zone Advisory
GeoSeismic Labs of California
Hesperia, California

(Click here to view MT ULF REPORTS published in October 2004)

(Click here to view MT ULF REPORTS published in November 2004)

(Click here to view MT ULF REPORTS published in December 2004)

MT ULF UPDATE: January 1, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was a period with observed strong deep crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic energy at 1.96 Hz (-77.29 dBv). ULF and MT activity was decreased during the past 24 hours. The long duration unclamping event is still in progress. The infrasonic harmonic resonant frequency associated with Northern California and further north along the plate boundary, was active. There was a long period with multiple resonant low-level harmonics, which were associated with a micro quake epicentered near Ocotillo Wells, Borrego Springs and along the San Jacinto fault zone.

Joint USAF/NOAA Solar and Geophysical Activity Summary
SGAS Number 002 Issued at 0245Z on 02 Jan 2005
This report is compiled from data received at SWO on 01 Jan
A.  Energetic Events
Begin  Max  End  Rgn   Loc   Xray  Op 245MHz 10cm   Sweep
 0001 0031 0039  0715        X1.7     8700   760    II/IV           
 0109 0113 0116                       230                           
 0149 0154 0155                       1900                          
 0223 0223 0223                       130                           
 0229 0232 0234                       210                           
 0237 0247 0256                       900                           
B.  Proton Events:  None.

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 2, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was a period with observed strong deep crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic energy at 1.98 Hz (-76.40 dBv). ULF and MT activity was increased during the past 24 hours. The long duration unclamping event is still in progress. The infrasonic harmonic resonant frequency associated with Northern California and further north along the plate boundary, was active. Yesterday, I observed a long period with multiple resonant low-level harmonics, which were associated with a micro quake epicentered near Ocotillo Wells, Borrego Springs and along the San Jacinto fault zone. Today there was a M4.0 earthquake which appears to be associated with the Pacific and North American Plate Boundary, south of the Imperial Fault and within a zone of divergence (Cerro Prieto) located in Northern Baja California, Mexico. Also, this particular seismic event was preceded by several hours of increased ULF and peak MT activity as a precursor. Some of you may have noticed it during the day on the near real-time data display web page. The multiple harmonics reported earlier are inferred to be coming from the San Jacinto fault zone. The Imperial fault is believed to be an extension of the Southern San Jacinto fault zone. Last December 29, I observed a fundamental peak harmonic at 0.66 Hz which was inferred to be related to the plate boundary in the Gulf of California, Mexico.

M4.0 2005/01/02 20:58:48 UT 32.371N 115.212W d:33.3 km ( 8 mi) NW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
M3.0 2005/01/03 06:24:06 UT 40.314N 124.475W d:21.6 km ( 10 mi) W of Petrolia, CA

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 3, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There were no observed crustal infrasonic resonant harmonics below 2 Hz. ULF and MT activity was moderate over the past 24 hours. The long duration unclamping event is still in progress. Today, I observed a ULF signal burst, which was associated with a micro quake epicentered near both Julian (Earthquake Valley), and Lytle Creek(Scotland), CA along the Southern Elsinore and Northern San Jacinto fault zone, respectively. Also, infrasonic unclamping was observed at the time of the micro quake epicentered in Lytle Creek, and another that was epicentered near Loma Linda, CA(SJFZ). The mean average level of inferred unclamping was decreased from what was observed 24 hours ago(see unclamping level units chart near end of report).

M3.0 2005/01/03 22:50:58 38.359 -122.226 0.2 9 km ( 5 mi) NE of Napa, CA

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 4, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There were no observed crustal infrasonic resonant harmonics below 2 Hz. ULF and MT activity was moderate over the past 24 hours. The long duration unclamping event is still in progress. Infrasonic unclamping was observed during a period of several micro quakes that were epicentered near the Southern and northern San Jacinto fault zone near Fontana, and from Anza, CA. Also increased compression was observed for the Southern Elsinore and the Imperial fault near Calexico, CA. Also, some micro quake epicentered along the San Jacinto fault between Fontana and Anza had some indication of ULF activity. The deeper M2.6 in Baja, Mexico along the divergent plate(boundary) had increased low frequency ULF activty. The inferred unclamping level increased during the past 24 hours. The ULF mean average was also significantly increased, and at a rapid rate of change, similar to what was observed prior to December 23, 2004. So, latest increase will need to be watched very carefully.

M3.1 2005/01/04 08:49:24 UT 34.117N 117.442W d:4.4 km ( 2 mi) NE of Fontana, CA

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 5, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There were no observed crustal infrasonic resonant harmonics below 2 Hz. ULF and MT activity was moderate over the past 24 hours. The long duration unclamping event was active during the first 18 hours and appeared to transition towards compression related to the San Andreas fault from Mt. San Gorgonio to El Centro, CA. Again infrasonic unclamping was observed during a period of several micro quakes that were epicentered near the Southern and northern San Jacinto fault zone near Fontana, Redlands, and Borrego Springs, CA. The majority of AE changes are associated with a string of micro quakes epicentered from the Salton Sea (Obsidian Butte) and south into the Brawley Seismic Zone/Northern Imperial fault. It is inferred that a crustal stress nucleation may have taken place along the San Andreas fault system today. The inferred unclamping level decreased during the past 24 hours. The ULF mean average was basically unchanged from yesterday's reading. Events are beginning to focus upon this region, and according to the latest analysis, a change in crustal stress is taking place between the San Jacinto fault zone and the Brawley Seismic Zone/Imperial Fault which needs careful monitoring due to a number of high risk (hazardous) earthquake faults in the region.

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 6, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There were no observed crustal infrasonic resonant harmonics below 2 Hz. ULF and MT activity was moderate over the past 24 hours. The long duration unclamping event fluctuated between compression and de-compression(unclamping). The inferred unclamping level decreased during the past 24 hours. The ULF mean average was again basically unchanged from yesterday's sustained reading. A report that I heard repeatedly on the news was that an un-organized fault is responsible for today's seismic swarm, including two small, and one light earthquake in Fontana. My feelings are that it's actually the 125 mile long San Jacinto fault zone going through a stress change in preparation for the next strong earthquake. According to the WGCEP The northern San Jacinto fault is capable of having up to a M7 earthquake and would rupture an ara from Lytle Creek to the San Jacinto Valley (34 miles), with a maximum surface displacement of 2 meters. Several aftershocks are expected to be in the range of M5 to M6. An area near Colton is expected to experience liquifaction. Another fact is that the the occurrance of having a damaging foreshock several hours prior to a strong mainshock has occurred in 1858, and 1899. There was a small earthquake which preceded the February 28, 1990 Upland, CA earthquake by a few days. So, the area has a history of having some notable foreshocks.

M3.6 2005/01/06 12:11:29 UT 34.118N 117.437W d:4.6 km ( 2 mi) NE of Fontana, CA
M3.3 2005/01/06 14:22:38 UT 34.114N 117.435W d:4.5 km ( 2 mi) NE of Fontana, CA
M4.4 2005/01/06 14:35:27 UT 34.125N 117.438W d:4.2 km ( 2 mi) NNE of Fontana, CA
M3.4 2005/01/06 18:44:13 UT 32.162N 115.850W d:5.4 km ( 41 mi) SSW of Mexicali, Mexico

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 7, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was an observed crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic at 1.58 Hz (-73.41 dBv) for Central California. ULF and MT activity was moderate during the past 24 hours. The long duration unclamping event is still in transition between compression and de-compression. The inferred unclamping level increased during the past 24 hours, with periods of noted unclamping near Colton, Fontana, and Parkfield. The ULF mean average was slightly more positive. All charts have been updated to reflect the latest analysis. Also, there was a strong response to the severe geomagnetic storm observed on the magnetometer during the late morning to late afternoon period, along with a sharply negative MT pulsation, which was detected shortly after 19:00 UTC. Weather conditions for the lab are deteriorating rapidly as the Pacific Storm arrives. I might have to do some digging out after the strong storm passes, which could delay reports and replies to all messages for a while.

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 8, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was an observed crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic at 1.14 Hz (-74.59 dBv) for Southern California and further north along the Plate Boundary. ULF and MT activity was moderate during the past 24 hours. The inferred unclamping level decreased during the past 24 hours, with shorter periods of unclamping near Fontana, and Ludlow, CA. The ULF mean average was slightly more positive. There was a long period with a spectral harmonic that was detected by the tracking filter. No multiple harmonics were observed. All charts were updated to reflect the latest analysis.

M3.2 2005/01/08 14:57:46 UT 40.864N 123.255W d:27.7 km ( 19 mi) WNW of Weaverville, CA

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 9, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was an observed strong crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic at 0.68 Hz (-70.39 dBv) for Gulf of California(Baja) and Southern California. ULF and MT activity was moderate during the past 24 hours. A couple of micro quakes from the Fontana to Devore and Anza to Ocotillo Wells region appeared to have increased ULF activity. The inferred unclamping level increased slightly during the past 24 hours, with short periods of inferred unclamping near Fontana, CA. There was another long period with a spectral harmonic that was detected by the tracking filter. The ULF mean average was slightly more positive. No multiple harmonics were observed. All charts were updated to reflect the latest analysis. The New Moon will arrive Monday morning at 4:00 AM PST.

Joint USAF/NOAA Solar and Geophysical Activity Summary
SGAS Number 010 Issued at 0245Z on 10 Jan 2005
This report is compiled from data received at SWO on 09 Jan
A.  Energetic Events
Begin  Max  End  Rgn   Loc   Xray  Op 245MHz 10cm   Sweep
 0825 0851 0909  0719 S09E69 M2.4  1n 35     77     II              
B.  Proton Events:  None

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 10, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was an observed long duration strong crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic at 0.68 Hz (-68.45 dBv) for the Gulf of California(Baja) and Southern California. ULF and MT activity was moderate during the past 24 hours. The inferred mean average unclamping level decreased slightly during the past 24 hours, with one 30 minute period of strong unclamping shortly after 12:00 UTC that may have been induced at the time of M3.2 earthquake epicentered in the Adobe Hills Volcanic Field (Bodie). Late tonight, there were a couple of short duration piezomagnetic bursts which appear to be related to the Southern Sierra Nevada Seismic Zone and a M2.8 micro quake epicentered near Keene/Tehachapi, CA. There was another long period with a strong harmonic that was detected by the tracking filter. The ULF mean average was slightly more positive. No multiple harmonics were observed. All charts were updated to reflect the latest analysis.

M3.2 2005/01/10 12:13:12 38.021 -118.703 8.1 34 km ( 21 mi) SE of Bodie, CA

Popo Eruption Latest Official Information Statement

January 10 11:00 h (17:00 GMT):
Yesterday at 16:47 hours exhalation registered of moderate intensity, that produced an ash emission 
that reached 5 km of height on the level of the crater with a duration of almost 15 minutes in its 
more intense phase, followed of tremor of high frequency. Also during the exhalation registered 2 
microearthquakes, happened to 16:48 and 16:49 hours, with magnitudes of 2,5 and 2,6, to a depth of 
4,6 km and 4 km respectively, located under the crater. Reports of ash fall in Tetela del Volcan, 
Cuautla, Yecapixtla and Ocuituco in the State of Morelos, as well as in Ecatzingo in the State of 
Mexico were received. After this exhalation, the activity of Popocatepetl volcano return at the 
previous levels of activity. 16 exhalations of low intensity were registered accompanied by steam 
of water, gas and occasionally small amounts of ash. At this moment we observed the volcano with 
a steam emission of water and gas, that a height of 500 m reaches on the top of the crater moving 
to the Southwest.

Popo Volcano Eruption Image: 10-JAN-2005

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 11, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was an observed long duration strong crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic at 1.77 Hz (-75.46 dBv) for Northern California. ULF and MT activity was high during the past 24 hours. The inferred mean average unclamping level remained steady for most of the day. A couple of piezomagnetic bursts with long duration which appear to be related to the San Andreas Fault from Palmdale, Mt. Baldy, and Banning, CA. The ULF mean average was slightly more positive. No multiple harmonics were observed. All charts were updated to reflect the latest analysis.

(click here to see spectrogram).

MT ULF UPDATE: January 12, 2005

Note: The San Jacinto Fault Alert along with Inland Empire advisory continues to stay in effect. There was an observed long duration strong crustal infrasonic resonant harmonic at 1.55 Hz (-73.08 dBv) for Central California. ULF and MT activity was high during the past 24 hours. The inferred mean average unclamping level increased during the past 24 hours. The small M4.3 earthquake which was epicentered northeast of Palm Springs, CA is inferred to be related to yesterday's (piezomagnetic) increase in crustal stress along the San Andreas Fault from Palmdale to Banning, CA. Unclamping was strong for a period of time prior to the seismic event. Today, I detected a long duration MT negative pulse, which usually indicates that there is now an extremely high level of deep crustal stress in place along the Plate Boundary. The ULF mean average was increasingly positive. No multiple harmonics were observed. All charts were updated to reflect the latest analysis.

M4.3 2005/01/12 08:10:46 UT 33.953N 116.395W d:7.5 km ( 6 mi) E of Desert Hot Springs, CA