CalTech: Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
In the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS), faculty and students study the earth and other planets in order to understand their origin, composition, and development. Their approach to these problems relies heavily on fundamental science and on interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues from across Caltech, as well as at the U.S. Geological Survey and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Southern California Earthquake Center
Southern California Earthquake Cente coordinates fundamental research on earthquake processes using Southern California as its principal natural laboratory. This research program is investigator-driven and supports core research and education in seismology, tectonic geodesy, earthquake geology, and computational science. The SCEC community advances earthquake system science through three basic activities: (a) gathering information from seismic and geodetic sensors, geologic field observations, and laboratory experiments; (b) synthesizing knowledge of earthquake phenomena through physics-based modeling, including system-level hazard modeling; and (c) communicating our understanding of seismic hazards to reduce earthquake risk and promote community resilience.
USGS: Earthquake Hazards Program
The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program is part of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), established by Congress in 1977. USGS Earthquake Hazards Program monitor and report earthquakes, assess earthquake impacts and hazards, and research the causes and effects of earthquakes.
USGS and the Southern California Integrated GPS Network (SCIGN)
Field Office involved in operating GPS stations, data recording, and supplying of earthquake data. Links to GPS data analysis, photos, and technical information.
USGS EROS Center: Satellite Imagery
At the USGS EROS Center, we study land change and produce land change data products used by researchers, resource managers, and policy makers across the nation and around the world. We also operate the Landsat satellite program with NASA, and maintain the largest civilian collection of images of the Earth's land surface in existence, including tens of millions of satellite images.
The USGS Volcano Hazards Program (VHP) monitors and studies active and potentially active volcanoes, assesses their hazards, and conducts research on how volcanoes work in order for the USGS to issue "timely warnings" of potential volcanic hazards to emergency-management professionals and the public. Thus, in addition to collecting and interpreting the best possible scientific information, the program works to effectively communicate its scientific findings and volcanic activity alerts to authorities and the public.