T4K3.news

New study boosts earthquake detection in Yellowstone significantly

Researchers detected ten times more earthquakes in Yellowstone using machine learning.

July 18, 2025 at 06:56 PM

Machine learning uncovers 10 times more earthquakes in Yellowstone caldera

New research enhances understanding of earthquakes beneath Yellowstone's caldera.

Machine learning reveals significant increase in Yellowstone earthquake detection

A study published on July 18 in Science Advances details how researchers from Western University and Universidad Industrial de Santander used machine learning to analyze historical earthquake data from Yellowstone. Over a period of 15 years, the team identified and assigned magnitudes to 10 times more seismic events than had been recorded. The updated data now shows 86,276 earthquakes between 2008 and 2022, highlighting the prevalence of earthquake swarms in the area. These swarms consist of multiple small earthquakes occurring in a short time frame, presenting unique risks and insights into volcanic activity.

Key Takeaways

✔️

Machine learning increased earthquake detection at Yellowstone by ten times.

✔️

Over 86,000 earthquakes were recorded from 2008 to 2022 thanks to new techniques.

✔️

More than half of these earthquakes were in swarms, not isolated events.

✔️

This study provides valuable insights into volcanic dynamics.

✔️

Better earthquake detection may improve safety and risk communication.

✔️

Understanding seismicity patterns can aid in geothermal energy development.

"While Yellowstone and other volcanoes each have unique features, the hope is that these insights can be applied elsewhere."

Bing Li emphasizes the broader relevance of the findings to other volcanic regions.

"If we had to do it old school... you couldn't do it. It's not scalable."

Li discusses the limitations of traditional earthquake detection methods compared to machine learning.

This groundbreaking use of machine learning in detecting seismic events suggests a major shift in how scientists study volcanoes. The ability to identify and analyze such a large number of earthquakes equips researchers with better tools to understand seismic patterns. This information could lead to improved safety measures, better public awareness concerning volcanic risks, and potentially guide geothermal energy projects away from hazardous areas. The significance of this work extends beyond Yellowstone, indicating a broader application for seismic studies worldwide.