Bayless, J., & Abrahamson, N. A. (2019). Summary of the BA18 ground‐motion model for Fourier amplitude spectra for crustal earthquakes in California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 109(5), 88–105. Web.
The source provides a summary of the BA18 ground-motion model used in measuring the magnitude of crustal earthquakes. The authors make an ergodic assumption, meaning that the variability in information from a broad geographic area is assumed to represent the variability of ground movements over time for a particular site in the specific region. The argument is logical and complete, as it demonstrates that Fourier amplitude spectral values can be used as substitutes for response spectral values. A limitation of the regression analysis used in the study is that it only checks for a linear relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
The method is appropriate since the study involves modelling as well as analyzing numerous variables. The evidence is strong enough to support the conclusion, as the authors have provided additional reasons for choosing the FAS. The research provides valuable insights into the academic conversation on earthquakes, particularly when the events are unpredictable and can cause significant harm. This source differs from others in that it employs regression analysis. The source is relevant as it helps to further the ongoing research, which aims to determine the predictability of earthquakes in vulnerable regions, a key objective of the study.
Ben-Zion, Y., & Zaliapin, I. (2019). Spatial variations of rock damage production by earthquakes in southern California. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 512, 184-193. Web.
The study aims to investigate the spatial variations in rock damage production caused by earthquakes in southern California, specifically in areas such as Los Angeles. One assumption clearly expressed by the authors is that a quasi-linear zone with continuing damage production may indicate a potential future location of the main plate boundary in the area. The argument flows logically as it provides detailed information on the reason for the assumption. The limitation of the methodology used is that it leads to bias, errors, and distortion of the conclusion. The evidence provided by the authors is strong, as they offer examples and claim that this may indicate a regional weakening process through damage production in future rupture zones.
The source contributes to the scholarly discussion about earthquakes by educating individuals on areas to avoid or be cautious in. This source differs from others in that the authors employ comparative spatial analysis in their investigation. The source is relevant since it focuses on an area with a history of earthquakes, which aligns with the research aim.
Chen, K., Avouac, J. P., Aati, S., Milliner, C., Zheng, F., & Shi, C. (2020). Cascading and pulse-like ruptures during the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes in the Eastern California Shear Zone. Nature Communications, 11(1), 1-8. Web.
The study focuses on the topic of earthquakes and their predictability, concentrating on the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes in the Eastern California Shear Zone. The authors clearly assumed that without the presence of the early cracks, earthquake events would not have happened. Their argument flows logically, but it is incomplete, as it fails to consider an alternative aspect, such as the possibility that the events could still occur without the cracks existing beforehand. The methodology suits the study well, but one drawback is the time-consuming implementation process. The evidence provided is strong, as it is supported not only by historical records of the phenomenon but also by the experiment, which offers substantial data.
This study advances the ongoing scholarly discourse by compelling individuals to learn about the geography of their location. In other studies, spatial analysis and regression analysis have been used; in this investigation, the authors employed remote sensing. The source is relevant as it provides a historical context for the topic and offers insight into the possibility of future earthquakes.
Cheng, Y., & Ben‐Zion, Y. (2019). Transient brittle‐ductile transition depth induced by moderate-to-large earthquakes in southern and Baja California. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(20), 109–117. Web.
The research has focused on the physical damage to the Earth caused by earthquakes in the state of California. The authors have clearly presented two assumptions: that the maximum aftershock depth will increase shortly after the main shocks and decrease slowly to the background level over a few years. The second assumption is that four or more occurrences greater than or equal to 6.7 have aftershocks 5km below the regular seismogenic zone around the main shock ruptures.
The argument flows logically, is complete, and can be easily understood since the points are explained in simple language. The methodology applied is appropriate, but it has a limitation, such as the potential for bias. The evidence is strong enough due to the investigations conducted on the matter.
The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the matter among geography experts. This research and the second one are similar in that they both use spatial analysis in their methodology, which is not the case with every other study. The study is relevant since it provides information on the damages, which is part of the main aim.
Fielding, E. J., Liu, Z., Stephenson, O. L., Zhong, M., Liang, C., Moore, A., & Simons, M. (2020). Surface deformation related to the 2019 Mw 7.1 and 6.4 Ridgecrest earthquakes in California from GPS, SAR interferometry, and SAR pixel offsets. Seismological Research Letters, 91(4), 35–46. Web.
The study can be summarized as one that has focused on earthquake events that happened in California. The InSAR coherence and coherence change maps the surface disruptions due to fault ruptures reaching the surface. The assumption is not clearly expressed, as the majority of information is scattered across different areas.
Additionally, they have failed to explain the argument in a manner that makes it flow logically or appear complete. It is challenging for readers to grasp the key points of the paper. Although the methodology is appropriate, its limitation is that it is time-consuming. The evidence is weak since the paper’s key points are not easily comprehensible.
Similarly to others, this research enhances current discussions within the scholarly community as it enables further research on the issue of disaster management. The method of collecting data in this study is similar to that employed by others who have utilized remote sensing. The relevance of this source is evident in its provision of additional information on the state targeted in the research question.
Goltz, J. D., Park, H., Quitoriano, V., & Wald, D. J. (2020). Human behavioural response in the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquakes: Assessing immediate actions based on data from “Did You Feel It?” Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 110(4), 1589–1602. Web.
The study aims to explore how people react to earthquake events. The assumption is not explicitly stated, but it seems the author implies that the knowledge victims had impacted their chances of survival. The argument continues to logically prove their point on people’s preparedness during an earthquake event. The reader can see that not only is it logical, but also complete. Some limitations of the method used in this study include its time-consuming nature for data collection and analysis, as well as its unsuitability for less educated participants. For this type of research, the technique is particularly suitable, especially on online platforms where a larger audience can be reached simultaneously.
The evidence is strong enough, as it correlates with the existing evidence in the public domain. The study has provided further explanation and detailing of the benefits of preparedness. This contributes to the scholarly discussion on whether or not preparedness helps prevent more cases of injuries and deaths. Among all studies, this is the first one to use an online questionnaire for data collection. The source is relevant as it provides information that can help in understanding people’s preparedness and how to assist them.
Montgomery‐Brown, E. K., Shelly, D. R., & Hsieh, P. A. (2019). Snowmelt‐triggered earthquake swarms at the margin of Long Valley Caldera, California. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(7), 3698–3705. Web.
The study aimed to explore another possible cause of earthquake events. One assumption made by the authors in the study is that earthquake rates near Long Valley Caldera are thirty-seven times higher during spring snowmelt than during dry periods over the past thirty-three years. The information presented in the paper clearly explains the assumption. This is evident in the plain language summary. The methodology is appropriate; however, it has its limitations, which include being non-cost-effective. The evidence shown is strong, as it not only provides images of the region but also data from correlated seismicity and hydrologic time series, along with the propagation observed in the relatively relocated earthquakes.
The investigation strengthens the broader academic dialogue on earthquake events and how they occur, ensuring that the field grows to the extent that it has become easier to predict the phenomena. This research is similar to that of Chen et al. (2020), as both employ the same method of data collection. The source is relevant as it provides data that can be used in developing risk management strategies.
Nanjo, K. Z. (2020). Were changes in stress state responsible for the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquakes?Nature Communications, 11(1), 1–10. Web.
The study has used a past case of earthquake events to determine the probable cause of the occurrences. One assumption the authors make in this study is that the stress on the Earth’s surface is the primary cause of earthquakes. Even though they have clearly expressed an assumption, the argument is not yet complete.
Stressing the ground as the key factor is illogical. Although the methodology is suitable for this study, it has limitations. For instance, the technique employed in data collection is easily affected by poor weather. The evidence cannot be strong enough in this case since the argument presented is not convincing.
The research will contribute to the scholarly discussion by encouraging other researchers on how to conduct their studies and what gaps their work needs to fill. Unlike the other studies mentioned above, this one has failed to provide a logical argument; thus, the conclusion cannot be trusted. The source is relevant to the research question as it provides information that can be used to establish a risk management plan in areas prone to earthquakes.
Rundle, J. B., Donnellan, A., Fox, G., & Crutchfield, J. P. (2022). Nowcasting earthquakes by visualizing the earthquake cycle with machine learning: A comparison of two methods. Surveys in Geophysics, 43(2), 483–501. Web.
The study aims to utilize machine learning technology to establish a pattern that can aid in predicting events. The authors have assumed that by observing the current state of the quake cycle, which involves tectonic stress accumulation and release, they can predict the occurrence of earthquakes. The assumption has not been made clear, but the argument has a logical basis. It fails to be complete as they state that the current state of the earthquake cycle of tectonic stress accumulation and release is unobservable.
The limitations of the methodology used are similar to those of most of the studies mentioned above. For instance, poor weather can disrupt the process of taking images from an aerial view. In this type of study, this technique was the most appropriate. The evidence presented by the authors is insufficient, as is evident at the end when the investigators claimed that the stress state is unobservable.
This study deepens our understanding within the field’s scholarly discussions by providing an opportunity for other researchers to find ways to fill the identified gaps. Lastly, this is the only study in which the investigators have suggested that a different approach from the one they had is needed. The source helps address the question by offering a chance to determine when, specifically, the events will occur in the future.
Zhan, Z. (2020). Mechanisms and implications of deep earthquakes. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, pp. 48, 147–174. Web.
The study has mainly focused on researching the implications of earthquakes. One apparent assumption is that deep earthquakes exhibit complex structures and dynamics of subduction zones, particularly about stress state, geometry, hydration, rheology, and phase changes. His argument for the need for further research is logical, as he has provided a reason for it. He states that the three leading mechanisms for deep earthquakes, that is, transformational faulting, dehydration embrittlement, and thermal runaway, can each explain portions of the observations but have potentially fundamental difficulties explaining the rest.
Regarding the limitations of the method used, the results are always interpreted qualitatively. Thus, beneficial outcomes can only be attained by an experienced geologist who understands the testing technique. The evidence provided by the author is strong, as he has provided ways to test the hypothesis.
The research provides an essential addition to existing scholarship by offering data that can be applied in other areas in the field of disaster management. Lastly, it differs from others in that it utilizes geophysical observations to collect data. The source provides information that helps address the question by examining the negative impact of the events on people’s lives.