State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Earthquakes7

  • Installing GPS in Myanmar

    Installing GPS in Myanmar

    We believe the IndoBurman subduction zone is active and that there is a significant earthquake hazard in this densely populated region. We are installing GPS stations to monitor it.

  • North Korea’s 2017 Bomb Test Set Off Later Earthquakes, New Analysis Finds

    North Korea’s 2017 Bomb Test Set Off Later Earthquakes, New Analysis Finds

    Using newly refined analysis methods, scientists have discovered that a North Korean nuclear bomb test last fall set off aftershocks over a period of eight months on a previously unmapped earthquake fault nearby.

  • A Milestone for Forecasting Earthquake Hazards

    A Milestone for Forecasting Earthquake Hazards

    In a new study, researchers report that their physics-based model of California earthquake hazards replicated estimates from the state’s leading statistical model.

  • Machine Listening for Earthquakes

    Machine Listening for Earthquakes

    In a new study, researchers show that machine learning algorithms can pick out different types of earthquakes from three years of data at Geysers in California. The repeating patterns of earthquakes appear to match the seasonal rise and fall of water-injection flows into the hot rocks below.

  • Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    In the final push, we split into multiple teams, and caught up and completed all the seismometer installations on time.

  • Installing the seismometer array

    Installing the seismometer array

    Helping Jim’s team, I assisted in installing stations and scouting locations. While some stations go quickly, others took multiple trips to find a good site. Time is growing short for getting all the seismometer installations done on time.

  • Transition to Seismology Scouting

    Transition to Seismology Scouting

    As we finished scouting and installing the GPS stations, we started to assist the seismology team in getting permission to install there instruments in Tea Estates.

  • Finishing the GPS Scouting

    Finishing the GPS Scouting

    We drove through the hills of Sylhet passed rice fields and tea plantations, and through woods looking for appropriate spots to install our GPS systems.

  • Primary Schools to the Rescue

    Primary Schools to the Rescue

    Up ahead was a school, perfect for a GPS installation. Schools proved to be the best sites in the hills, which we covered in either tea plantations or woods.

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Installing GPS in Myanmar

    Installing GPS in Myanmar

    We believe the IndoBurman subduction zone is active and that there is a significant earthquake hazard in this densely populated region. We are installing GPS stations to monitor it.

  • North Korea’s 2017 Bomb Test Set Off Later Earthquakes, New Analysis Finds

    North Korea’s 2017 Bomb Test Set Off Later Earthquakes, New Analysis Finds

    Using newly refined analysis methods, scientists have discovered that a North Korean nuclear bomb test last fall set off aftershocks over a period of eight months on a previously unmapped earthquake fault nearby.

  • A Milestone for Forecasting Earthquake Hazards

    A Milestone for Forecasting Earthquake Hazards

    In a new study, researchers report that their physics-based model of California earthquake hazards replicated estimates from the state’s leading statistical model.

  • Machine Listening for Earthquakes

    Machine Listening for Earthquakes

    In a new study, researchers show that machine learning algorithms can pick out different types of earthquakes from three years of data at Geysers in California. The repeating patterns of earthquakes appear to match the seasonal rise and fall of water-injection flows into the hot rocks below.

  • Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    In the final push, we split into multiple teams, and caught up and completed all the seismometer installations on time.

  • Installing the seismometer array

    Installing the seismometer array

    Helping Jim’s team, I assisted in installing stations and scouting locations. While some stations go quickly, others took multiple trips to find a good site. Time is growing short for getting all the seismometer installations done on time.

  • Transition to Seismology Scouting

    Transition to Seismology Scouting

    As we finished scouting and installing the GPS stations, we started to assist the seismology team in getting permission to install there instruments in Tea Estates.

  • Finishing the GPS Scouting

    Finishing the GPS Scouting

    We drove through the hills of Sylhet passed rice fields and tea plantations, and through woods looking for appropriate spots to install our GPS systems.

  • Primary Schools to the Rescue

    Primary Schools to the Rescue

    Up ahead was a school, perfect for a GPS installation. Schools proved to be the best sites in the hills, which we covered in either tea plantations or woods.