California's San Andreas Fault

Since Earth is our home, we usually view it as a friendly place. However, Earth can also be violent. Earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and volcanoes can cause tremendous damage and can occur with very little warning.

Some earthquakes can occur miles below the surface, leaving almost no trace on the landscape, while others change the course of rivers and create mountains where once the land was flat. Hidden and known earthquake faults are present throughout Earth's crust. While it is not currently possible to predict when an earthquake may occur, knowledge of where the faults lie is extremely useful. JPL's Earth missions contribute to our expanding understanding of these tremblers.

As NASA's lead research center for solid Earth and natural hazards, JPL is developing new and better ways to monitor and investigate natural hazards. Knowing how and why nature turns violent will help scientists improve their ability to predict future hazards. Our science results also provide vital information for government agencies, such as the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency, which are responsible for warning the public about hurricanes, floods and severe weather.