A powerful earthquake that rocked Alaska in 2002 changed the timing and behavior of some of Yellowstone’s geysers and hot springs.
American West Geology
Alaska quake world’s largest in 2002
As a result of the quake, wells in Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain sloshed about, and wells in Washington, Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania produced muddy water as a result of the Alaska temblor.
Mojave Desert areas sinking due to aquifer depletion
Land subsidence was linked to water-level declines of more than 100 feet between the 1950s and the 1990s.
Geologist finds lost island in Santa Barbara Channel
Isla Calafia lies under 300 feet of water on the highest part of a huge underwater ridge.
San Andreas Fault on the move at Parkfield, California
The USGS, in partnership with the state of California and other institutions, has monitored Parkfield since 1985 to obtain a detailed record of fault behavior believed likely to culminate in a moderate earthquake.
Yellowstone earth movements compared to heavy breathing
The central part of Yellowstone has been uplifting and subsiding or “breathing” about five times during the last 9,000 years.
Earthquake could cause flooding of Yucca Mountain repository
The safety of the proposed Nevada site has been debated for more than 10 years, primarily due to concerns about earthquakes and groundwater.