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IRIS features special earthquake event pages to provide useful resources for the science community and the general public. These "Special Event" pages highlight earthquakes that had a major effect on a population or have some other unique scientific significance.

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Redoubt Volcano Observations - Alaska

2009-07-02

No significant change has been observed at Redoubt. Seismicity at the volcano continues at slightly above background. Webcams show the lava dome steaming.

AVO scientists conducted two field missions yesterday: fixed-wing gas measurements and helicopter-supported maintenance of monitoring equipment, thermal imaging of the dome, and other observations.

Redoubt Volcano is a stratovolcano located within a few hundred kilometers of more than half of the population of Alaska. This volcano has erupted explosively at least six times since historical observations began in 1778. The Redoubt volcano erupted in March 2009. An eruption also occurred in 1989-90 and similar eruptions can be expected in the future. (source: Alalska Volcano Observatory)

Photo courtesy of Game McGimsey (AVO/USGS)

Magnitude 7.3 - OFFSHORE HONDURAS

2009 May 28 08:24:45 UTC

The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center:

An earthquake struck off the coast of Honduras on Thursday, May 28, 2009, 125 km (75 miles) NNE of La Ceiba, Honduras.

At least 7 people killed, 40 injured and more than 130 buildings damaged or destroyed in northern Honduras. The central span of a major bridge at El Progreso was destroyed. At least 5 buildings destroyed and 25 damaged in Belize. Felt in much of Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Also felt in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Virgin Islands and in parts of Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. Seiches were reported in swimming pools at La Ceiba and Roatan and ground cracks and possible liquefaction was observed at Monkey River, Belize.

Read more | Maps

Magnitude 4.7 - NORTH KOREA

2009 May 25 00:54:43 UTC

The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center:

The shallow, magnitude 4.7 seismic event that occurred on 25 May 2009 at 00:54:43 UTC is linked to the claim of a nuclear test by North Korean officials. While the USGS cannot positively identify the seismic event as a nuclear test, it was shallow and located in the vicinity of the 9 October 2006 North Korean nuclear test (magnitude 4.3). Moreover, comparisons of the seismograms of the 9 October 2006 and 25 May 2009 events at individual seismic stations shows similar features, suggesting that the two events are in close spatial proximity and are the same type of source, although the more recent event is larger.

Magnitude 4.7 - GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA, CALIFORNIA

2009 May 18 03:39:36 UTC

The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center:

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck about 3 miles east of Los Angeles International airport at 8:39 p.m. (PDT) local time, at a depth of 8.5 miles. Given that the location is in a densely populated part of the Los Angeles basin, it was widely felt. Initial estimates from the USGS ShakeMap indicate that although strong shaking will have been felt by many people, damage is expected to be light.

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