How Waves Shapes Could Explain Deadly Tsunamis

Ocean waves are complex and often turbulent. While most ocean-wave interactions are essentially linear, sometimes two or more waves interact in a nonlinear way. Thus, X- and Y-shaped ocean waves that are often seen at beaches may help explain why tsunamis can be so devastating, researchers say.

Plan Approved to Find Faults Near Diablo Canyon, California

In a showdown that pit antinuclear activists against marine-mammal supporters, the California State Lands Commission approved PG&E’s plans to begin conducting high-energy 3-d offshore seismic tests to determine the extent to which the faults offshore from the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in Avila Beach connect…

Strong earthquake hits off El Salvador coast

A strong magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of El Salvador followed an hour later by a magnitude-5.4 aftershock; a tsunami alert off the central American coast was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Why the 2012 Sumatra Earthquake Was a Weird One

Already a curiosity for its sheer size, the 8.6-magnitude earthquake that shook the seafloor west of the Indonesian island of Sumatra on April 11 appears to have been even weirder than scientists thought.

Fukushima beach reopens to the public

As locals enjoy the beach near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, and splashing in the sea for the first time since the tsunami and nuclear disaster, thousands protest in Tokyo.