State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

A deep split in a road caused by an earthquake

Earthquakes

Earthquakes — sudden, often powerful shifts in the Earth’s crust — are natural phenomena caused by the movement of tectonic plates. These movements release energy, creating seismic waves that can lead to significant destruction, including collapsed buildings, landslides and tsunamis. Earthquakes pose a threat to communities around the world, especially those located near fault lines. Current scientific research focuses on improving early warning systems, understanding earthquake triggers, and exploring the connections between seismic activity and human actions like fracking and groundwater extraction. Preparing for earthquakes requires robust infrastructure and community preparedness to minimize the loss of life and property.


Recent Stories


In The Media

No related articles found.

Video

No related video found.

Upcoming Events

  • Monday, March 2, 2026 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Where: Seismology Building, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 Description: Presentation by Liam Moser. What Limits Megathrust Rupture? New Perspectives on the Subduction Seismogenic Zone from Earthquake Tomography and Fault Mechanics Subduction zones host Earth’s largest earthquakes, with the downdip limit of the seismogenic zone constraining the onshore intensity of ground shaking and the updip limit controlling tsunami risk. In this talk, […]

View All Climate School Events »


Research Projects

Browse Research Projects »