NASA's ARIA Team Maps California Quake Damage

news image
Special Stories
18 Jul 2019 1:28 AM
[NASA's ARIA team produced this map of earthquake damage in Southern California from the recent temblors. The color variation from yellow to red indicates increasingly more significant surface change, or damage. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech, ESA] [NASA] After the recent strong earthquakes that struck near the city of Ridgecrest in Southern California, NASA scientists and engineers continue to analyze satellite data for information on fault slips and ruptures. Their observations are helping local authorities assess damage and will also provide useful information to engineers for designing resilient structures that can withstand ruptures like the ones created by the latest quakes. https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/790970887966847/ The Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, created this map depicting areas that are likely damaged as a result of the recent major earthquakes. The color variation from yellow to red indicates increasingly more significant surface change, or damage. The map covers an area of 155 by 186 miles (250 by 300 kilometers), shown by the large red polygon. Each pixel measures about 33 yards (30 meters) across. https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/2095341780575577/ To make the map, the team used synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images from the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites from before and after the sequence of quakes — July 4 and July 10, 2019, respectively. The map may be less reliable over vegetated areas but can provide useful guidance in identifying damaged areas. https://twitter.com/gretchengillis/status/1146852519659761664 NASA's Disasters Program is in communication with the California Earthquake Clearinghouse, which is coordinating response efforts with the California Air National Guard, the U.S. Geological Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. NASA analysts are using data from satellites to produce visualizations of land deformation and potential landslides, among other earthquake impacts, and are making them available to response agencies. NASA's Disasters Program promotes the use of satellite observations in predicting, preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters around the world. Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

As the Atlantic hurricane season enters its f

19 Oct 2025 6:45 PM
Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

October has been relatively quiet in terms of

19 Oct 2025 4:55 PM
Next System Blows Even More Leaves Out of Trees

Next System Blows Even More Leaves Out of Trees

The trough responsible for the storms along t

19 Oct 2025 3:00 PM
Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

A wet pattern is shaping up for the Northwest

19 Oct 2025 2:55 PM
NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

Ready for another La Niña winter? NOAA quietl

19 Oct 2025 12:25 PM
Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

A ridge of high pressure has been responsible

17 Oct 2025 3:00 AM
Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

As of Wednesday, all evacuation orders have b

15 Oct 2025 1:45 PM