California Institute of Technology
Seismological Laboratory Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences

Earthquake Information

General Education Tools

Anatomy of an Earthquake

Basic layersA.) Radiating heat from the core causes convection currents in the mantle of the earth. B.) These convection currents push and pull on the tectonic plates, causing the plates to move relative to each other.FaultsHypocenter and epicenterBasic types of faultsStrike-slipSeismic wavesBody wavesSurface waves1995 Kobe, Japan earthquakeCreated by: Valerie Thomas, USGS & Anthony Guarino, Caltech

Frequently Asked Questions About Earthquakes

Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country

Satellite based, interferometric synthetic apeture radar measurements How earthquakes look from space. Satellite-based, interferometric synthetic aperture radar measurements: This image shows ground displacement in the October 1999, Mw 7.1 Hector Mine Earthquake, Southern California. Each color represents 2.5 cm of motion of the ground in a direction towards the satellite. (Research by: Prof. Mark Simons, Yuri Fialko & Luis Rivera)

Faults & History of Southern California Earthquakes

Southern California Earthquake Data Center
(SCE Data Center)

IRIS Educational Outreach

Spanish Language Outreach

K - 12

USGS Sites for Learning

Public Education, College & Teachers

SCEC Educational Model

Joann Stock classroom

USGS - Learning Web

Seismological Society of America (SSA)

Researcher

Southern California Earthquake Data Center (SCE Data Center)

US Geological Survey (USGS)

Media

  • Photo of Professor Tom Heaton with the mediaMedia Relations is part of Caltech's Office of Public Relations and can help anyone from the media, whether it is setting up an interview with a Caltech professor or scientist, referencing background on some particular research, or simply checking on a fact about the Institute.
  • Earthquake Research Affiliates

Tours &Hands-On Exhibits

Caltech Seismological Laboratory

Discovery Science Center - Orange County

California Science Center - Exposition Park, Los Angeles County

Earthquake Preparedness

Photo of an unsafe area

The Great California ShakeOut

The American Red Cross

CAL OES

FEMA

Coping with Children's Reactions to Earthquakes

Welcome to California

Protect Your Pets

Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country

Earthquake Preparedness

Earthquake Country

Other Links

Tsunami Warning Center

Southern California Earthquake Center