Harold Tobin

Before the next earthquake hits WA, we need to fix our bricks | Op-Ed An earthquake like the 2001 Nisqually quake will strike again, and it could be more damaging. What is certain is that we can make structures safer.

Did you know that the Feb. 28, 2001 Nisqually earthquake was the costliest quake in the past 30 years of US history? On its 25th anniversary, the Puget Sound region isn't prepared for the inevitable next one. Here's my take for the @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social www.seattletimes.com/opinion/befo...

Scan of the front page of The Daily from March 1st, 2001, showing a photo of PNSN seismologists under a headline reading 'Seattle shakes, seismologists roll into action.'

25 years ago, PNSN seismologists rolled into action to respond to the M6.8 Nisqually earthquake. Join us on Feb 24, 6:30-8 PM for a discussion and Q&A with earthquake experts on what we’ve learned since—and what we need to do to get ready for the next one: www.eventbrite.com/e/25-years-s...

A banner reads "Seahawks Win!!!" above a seismogram showing the shaking caused by fans during the NFC Championship game between the Seattle Seahawks and the LA Rams at Lumen Field.

SEAHAWKS ARE GOING TO SUPER BOWL LX!!!! Seattle Seahawks beat the LA Rams, 31 - 27!

Hopefully you got to follow along and catch each incredible play of this nail-biting game in real time, but if not then find the whole-game archive at: pnsn.org/data-researc...

We're ready for you, 12s! The PNSN's field staff revisited Lumen Field this week to ensure our stations were functioning correctly so we can monitor all of the fan generated energy from today's Seahawks game vs the Rams. Make sure to follow our live seismogram during the game at seahawks.pnsn.org!

Rashid Shaheed got things started right away with an opening kickoff return touchdown, the 12s rocked the house, and the Seahawks never looked back!

SEAHAWKS WIN 41-6 and move onto the NFC Championship Game!

@seahawks @nfl

2026 Seahawks - Seahawks-49ers

Follow along with ground motions at Lumen Field as the Pacific NW Seismic Network @pnsn1.bsky.social livestreams our seismometers in and next to Lumen Field! Seahawks up 17-6 late in 2nd qtr. Stream: seahawks.pnsn.org

TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS! Rashid Shaheed returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown! Great start, 12s!

@seahawks @nfl @nflonfox

Screenshot of NHK News TV at 01:22 JST, 8:22 PST. Table on screen shows actual observed tsunami inundation up to 70 cm in coastal ports.

It looks like northern Japan coastal ports have seen tsunami waves arriving already, but so far just 30-70 cm high. Later-arriving peaks could be higher, but that is good news that the ultimate size will be moderate. I hope so! Damage reports sketchy so far, but also some reason for optimism.

Oh no! I’m very happy to hear you’ve had a positive outcome. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, John!

Weird juxtaposition…! And must be very old interview footage because I haven’t talked to Weather Channel recently as far as I can remember.

Mount Rainier is not ready to erupt: Earthquake experts debunk report of increased seismic activity Scientists at the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network might blow their stacks over having to respond to a rumor about increased tremor activity at the Washington state volcano.

Here’s the article: www.geekwire.com/2025/mount-r...

I love this. @pnsn1.bsky.social

Here’s a deep cut: Harold and Maude

Some false reports are circulating that Mt. Rainier is suddenly showing seismic tremor activity — this is not true. The signal being referenced is actually radio interference, most likely due to rime ice buildup on the antenna of one of our seismic stations.

Ugh, sorry about that.

This lab is key for tracking deadly waves. Its sensors are about to go offline. After NOAA cut funding to the lab that’s been monitoring seismic activity for more than 25 years, nine stations tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes for the agency will go offline by the end of the mo...

NOAA cut funding for critical parts of the tsunami and earthquake detection system in Alaska, primarily in the Aleutians. I spoke to Wash Post about negative impacts. But, hey, what are the chances of a deadly tsunami being triggered in Alaska? (Gift article, not behind paywall) ⚒️ wapo.st/4qKvavQ

This visualization of Japan’s M6.8 yesterday is phenomenal. Offshore S-net detected it and issued earthquake alert before any land station detection. Numbered circles show JMA intensity (not same as MMI). Offshore is where we need to be in Cascadia as well.

Today's Japan M6.8 is in an interesting spot: the zone of "missing" slip just north of the very large shallow rupture in the 2011 M9.

U.S. tsunami warning system, reeling from funding and staffing cuts, is dealt another blow Seismic monitoring stations in Alaska are closing after a denied federal grant, risking delayed tsunami warnings for people living on the West Coast.

Quoted supporting our counterparts and friends at the Alaska Earthquake Center. The cost of the U.S. tsunami warning and mitigation effort is really a pittance. None of it has ever been adequately funded in any administration, and now things are worse. ⚒️ www.nbcnews.com/science/tsun...

In a closed space behind the scenes, not too far from the 3rd base line.

Geno Suarez hits a Grand Slam to put the Mariners up 6-2 and seal Game 5 of the ALCS!

"The City is Shaking!"

#SeizeTheMoment

Those Canadian home runs don’t make much of a signal here for some reason 🧐

bsky.app/profile/pnsn...

Seismogram showing ground motion at T-Mobile Park for game-winning single by Seattle Mariner Jorge Polanco, JP Crawford scores!

MLB poster for PostSEAson 2025 that reads Seis the Moment with a small seismogram between the Seis and the The. Has website for PNSN seismograms of the game. mariners.pnsn.org

You feel that Seattle?! Check out that Polanco P-Wave! Polanco Game Winning Single, Crawford Scores, MARINERS WIN!! @Mariners are Toronto Bound! @Tmobilepark @FoxSports
#SeisTheMoment #SeizeTheMoment

Image with Dubs the Husky and PNSN Team Member doing a drop cover and hold on drill. Text about ShakeOut noting date (October 16, 2025) and link (shakeout.org). Bottom part of image shows cartoon Drop, Cover, Hold On panels.

Dubs is ready to #ShakeOut... Are you?
We’re just ONE WEEK away from the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on October 16! Join Dubs in practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
Register your participation and explore all the ways you can boost awareness for this event at shakeout.org.

Interesting study! And this animation blending the model with the observed SWOT image is gorgeous.

Correction: near Tosa, not Kure.

These communities’ entire way of life is based on fishing and having the harbor. Surrounding terrain is very steep and rugged except at the river mouths. Meanwhile, the entire nation is subject to earthquake damage. So just leaving is not as strategic as it sounds…

Yes! In the 2011 tsunami in Japan, the numerous designated tsunami-evacuation buildings saved many thousands of lives. They didn’t have special purpose towers there, as far as I know. But southern Japan has many, especially in places like Kure without tall buildings, as seen in my pics.

Vertical evacuation structure in Kure, where 400 people can get to 28 meters above sea level.

View from the tower deck, overlooking the town which could all flood in the next tsunami.

View of the town’s other tower, from the first one.

In Kochi city, all of downtown would flood. Many regular buildings are fortified and marked as escape structures.

Tsunami evacuation systems in Kochi City and Kure town, Shikoku Island. The 1946 Nankai Trough earthquake and tsunami swept ashore here, flooding all these areas - only the most recent of many over the past ~1300 years. The vertical evac towers are really impressive.