On July 30, 2025, at 11:24 a.m. local time, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, generating a Pacific-wide tsunami. Although this powerful earthquake was tied as the sixth strongest ever recorded by seismometers, the tsunami was weaker than initially feared, and the impact in terms of loss of life was minimal. In this episode, we examine how effective planning and warning systems helped minimize casualties. We also debunk a myth about a "parade of erupting volcanoes" and share essential tsunami safety information – all while doing our best to pronounce some beautifully complicated place names. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome message 00:15 – 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula earthquake 00:33 – Kuril-Kamchatka Trench 00:40 – Shaking intensity & impact 01:00 – Pacific-wide tsunami 01:22 – Tsunami less destructive than feared 01:56 – Lessons from 1952 earthquake 02:24 – Relocation of Severo-Kurilsk 02:37 – Planning + warnings helped save lives 02:48 – Parade of erupting volcanoes? 03:10 – Krasheninnikov eruption 03:22 – Four ongoing eruptions 03:31 – Multiple eruptions not unusual for Kamchatka 04:00 – Subduction zone earthquakes can trigger eruptions 04:33 – Tsunami safety information 05:06 – Natural warning signs 05:45 – 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: Tilly Smith story 06:51 – Preparedness + education saves lives 06:59 – Our “why” 07:05 – More tsunami safety tips 07:44 – Closing message 📚 Learn More 🔗 QuakeFeed Substack: 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/2025-kamchatka-earthquake 🔗 Cal OES: Tsunami Preparedness https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-preparedness-prevention/seismic-hazards/tsunami-preparedness/ 🔗 NOAA / NWS: Tsunami Safety https://www.weather.gov/media/owlie/TsunamiSafety-OnePager-02-28-2019.pdf 📱 Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now: https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266 Want to view the 2025 Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake on an interactive map that shows the MMI Contours and the Erupting Volcanoes? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it’s free for 30-days for first-time subscribers. 🌍 Connect with Us Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed 🙌 Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared. 🎵 Music By Soularflair Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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QuakeFeed v6.5.7 Update
QuakeFeed v6.5.7 available now in the App Store. We fixed a bug in the Filter by Alert Settings feature. This episode gives a quick overview of this feature and how to adjust data source and filter settings in QuakeFeed. Links to "how to" videos also included below. Big thank you to the member of the QuakeFeed community who brought this bug to our attention! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – QuakeFeed v6.5.7 00:32 – Filter by Alerts 00:59 – Step-by-step Instructions 01:36 – Data Source and Filters 01:47 – Alert Settings 02:20 – How to Send Support Request 📚 Learn More ▶️ How To Use the Earthquake Data Source and Filters (v6.1.0 and higher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6MWT_HMegM ▶️ How To Set-up Regional Alerts (v6.0.0 and higher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBW2_i6JUD8 ▶️ How To Set-up Nearby Alerts (v6.0.0 and higher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE6XSW_9NC0 📱 Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now: https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266 Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it’s free for 30-days for first-time subscribers. 🌍 Connect with Us Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed 🙌 Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared. 🎵 Music By Soularflair Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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1976 Tangshan Earthquake
On July 28, 1976, at 3:42 AM, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the sleeping city of Tangshan, China. The official death toll was 242,469, making it the deadliest earthquake since modern seismic recording began. Why was this earthquake so deadly? Learn about six factors that came together to create a worst case scenario. ⏱️ Timestamps INTRODUCTION 00:00 – Welcome 00:18 – Topic Introduction 1976 EARTHQUAKE FACTS 00:35 –Tangshan in 1976 00:58 –Date, time, magnitude 01:21 – Deaths and Damage WHY WAS THIS EARTHQUAKE SO DEADLY? 01:49 – Early morning; people were sleeping 02:20 – What is a survivable void? 02:56 – Shallow earthquake in urban area 03:18 – MMI X and XI shaking intensity 03:47 – Seismic hazard underestimated 04:07 – Unreinforced masonry buildings 04:35 – Sedimentary soils 05:07 – Liquefaction 05:23 – Damage hampered rescue operations 05:54 – Medical infrastructure destroyed 06:06 – Political turmoil 06:22 – International assistance declined TURNING POINT IN SEISMIC SAFETY 06:55 – National seismic code in 1978 07:11 – Tangshan’s reconstruction 07:27 – Tangshan today CLOSING 07:39 – Tangshan earthquake memorial 08:37 – Closing Message 📚 Learn More 🔗 QuakeFeed Substack: 1976 Tangshan Earthquake https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/1976-tangshan-earthquake 🔗 Wikipedia: 1976 Tangshan Earthquake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Tangshan_earthquake ▶️ Original B/W Footage of the Aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGom7kU7b7A 📱 Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now: https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266 Want to view the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake on an interactive map that shows the epicenter and shaking intensity? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – including Historical Earthquakes. It’s free for 30-days for first-time subscribers. 🌍 Connect with Us Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed 🙌 Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared. 🎵 Music By Soularflair Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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QuakeFeed v6.5.6 Update
Quick update from QuakeFeed HQ regarding v6.5.6 (available July 21, 2025). How to close the “On This Day in Earthquake History” info panel. Why it’s helpful to learn about historical earthquakes. Feature freeze in preparation for iOS 26. (Learn more here.) ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – QuakeFeed v6.5.6 01:03 – Why learn about historical earthquakes? 01:42 – Planned OTD for August 02:04 – Feature freeze; prep for iOS 26 📚 Learn More 🎙️ QuakeFeed Podcast: v6.5.5 Update + Safety Tips https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/earthquake/id1562704664?i=1000714749658 🔗 Wikipedia: iOS 26 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_26 📱 Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now: https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266 Want to view historical earthquakes on an interactive map that shows the epicenter, shaking intensity, and faults? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – it’s free for 30-days for first-time subscribers. 🌍 Connect with Us Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed 🙌 Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared. 🎵 Music By Soularflair Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence: An Independence Day California Won't Forget
On July 4, 2019, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near Ridgecrest, a town in California's Mojave Desert. Thirty-four hours later, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the same area – the largest to strike California in 20 years. Shaking was felt across California, Arizona, and Nevada. The earthquakes killed one person, injured 25, and caused surface ruptures stretching 30 miles with ground displacement exceeding six feet. Total damage exceeded $5.3 billion. Learn about the impact of the Ridgecrest earthquakes and how they became a case study for understanding earthquake cascades and stress transfer between intersecting fault systems. We’ll also share an important message about safety and preparedness. ⏱️ Timestamps INTRODUCTION 00:00 – Welcome Message 00:12 – Topic Introduction 2019 EARTHQUAKE FACTS 00:30 – About Ridgecrest 01:01 – The Earthquake Sequence 01:41 – One Death and 25 Injuries 02:03 – Damage and Economic Impact 02:35 – Surface Rupture SCIENTIFIC LESSONS 03:05 – Two Perpendicular Fault Systems 03:24 – L-Shaped Rupture Pattern 03:51 – Aftershocks 04:10 – Rethinking Seismic Hazards OUR EXPERIENCE 04:31 – Did We Feel It? 05:34 – QuakeFeed Emails 06:01 – Reaffirming our “Why” 06:24 – Preparedness Call to Action CLOSING 06:45 – Closing Message 07:10 – Drop, Cover, Hold On Instructions 📚 Learn More 🔗 QuakeFeed Substack: 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence https://quakefeed.substack.com/p/2019-ridgecrest-earthquake-sequence 🎙️ QuakeFeed Podcast: Drop, Cover, and Hold On https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drop-cover-hold-on/id1562704664?i=1000520234015 🔗 CALFIRE: Fireworks Safety https://readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/fireworks-safety/ 📱 Download QuakeFeed for Real-Time Alerts Stay informed – get the QuakeFeed app now: https://apps.apple.com/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266 Want to view the 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence on an interactive map that shows the epicenter, shaking intensity, and faults? Subscribe to QuakeFeed Premium for the full range of features – including Historical Earthquakes. It’s free for 30-days for first-time subscribers. 🌍 Connect with Us Substack: https://quakefeed.substack.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@QuakeFeed Instagram: https://instagram.com/QuakeFeed Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/QuakeFeed 🙌 Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and share it. Your support helps others stay informed and prepared. 🎵 Music By Soularflair Bio on FMA: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/bio CC-BY License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Are you curious about what causes the earth to shake? Do you know how to stay safe? Join us to learn about earthquake science, safety, and history. Warning: includes many silly jokes and puns ...because learning should be FUN!
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