Heads-up! Tomorrow is International ShakeOut Day. Join millions of people worldwide at 10:16 a.m. local time as they drop, cover and hold on, and learn more about earthquake safety.

In this issue, you’ll find an apropos piece on a lesser known but very dangerous type of quake. Also, researchers figured out how two ocean species team up to neutralize a potent greenhouse gas, and a PhD student discovered that some tiny foxes’ brains are breaking a long-held rule.

Some of California’s biggest faults can produce a rare and dangerous kind of quake — and most people have never heard of it. In a recent opinion piece, USC Dornsife Earth scientists warn that “supershear” earthquakes could hit the state hard and fast.

Why it matters: Supershear quakes move faster and pack more power than typical earthquakes.

What’s new: Earth scientists Yehuda Ben-Zion and Ahmed Elbanna at USC Dornsife’s Statewide California Earthquake Center found supershear quakes are more common than once believed and identified faults most at risk.

The big picture: Supershear quakes are rare — but concern is rising as scientists learn more.

How it works: Supershear quakes happen when the rupture races faster than seismic shear waves, creating a shockwave-like effect similar to a sonic boom.

Earthquake early warning systems may struggle to keep up with supershear events, and more fault zones may be reclassified as “supershear-capable” as research expands.

The bottom line: The authors warn that California needs to up its game with better monitoring near major faults, advanced computer simulations of supershear scenarios, and stronger building codes.

In his words: “Critical structures should be built to [a] higher standard, and so far, they are not,” Ben-Zion said.

Deep in the ocean, microbes are working together to consume methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. New USC Dornsife research reveals how these tiny partners make the planet a bit safer.

Why it matters: Methane traps heat at least 80 times more effectively than carbon dioxide over 20 years.

What’s new: Dean’s Professor of Physics and Astronomy Moh El-Naggar and collaborators discovered surprising teamwork between two types of microbes.

How they did it: Researchers used advanced gene sequencing on deep-sea sediment samples from the Santa Barbara Basin off California.

What it means: The microbes’ relationship is more flexible and efficient than expected.

Between the lines: This discovery could improve climate models and methane control strategies.

USC Dornsife scholars recently won several exceptional grants, totaling more than $20 million. The awards support research and community engagement projects in Alzheimer’s disease, dark matter, mathematics, quantum chemistry, and economic and climate justice.)

Tiny foxes on California’s Channel Islands evolved larger brains than their mainland cousins, challenging a long-held scientific theory.

Why it matters: This finding, from a study led by biology PhD candidate Kimberly Schoenberger, forces scientists to rethink how animals adapt to isolated environments — crucial knowledge as climate change creates more fragmented habitats worldwide.

The big picture: Scientists have long believed that island-bound animals evolve relatively smaller brains to conserve energy.

What’s new: USC Dornsife researchers found that five of six Channel Island fox sub-species have bigger brain-to-body ratios than their mainland gray fox cousins, who share a common ancestor.

The discovery suggests that the demands of survival, not isolation itself, drive brain size changes on islands.

In her words: “The Channel Island foxes show that brain size reduction is not a universal feature of island life. It depends on the pressures each species faces,” said Kimberly Schoenberger, the study’s lead author.

Know an exceptional postdoc — or are one yourself?

The Agilent Fellows Program offers a prestigious two-year, $81K/year postdoctoral fellowship based at the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience. Fellows gain access to advanced instrumentation, career mentoring and potential connections with industry leaders at Agilent Technologies.

🧪 For postdocs in their first year at USC (or starting by Jan. 31, 2026)

📅 Apply by: Dec. 1

🔗 Details and application: dornsife.usc.edu/agilentcoe

Supershear earthquakes unleash more intense shaking over wider areas. Earth scientists at USC Dornsife’s Statewide California Earthquake Center found they happen more frequently than once thought and urge citizens and governments to prepare accordingly.

Join a conversation with acclaimed author and artist Oliver Jeffers, who uses humor and striking visuals to make big questions about climate, community and planetary care accessible to all. Learn More >>

Join this Dornsife Dialogue commemorating California’s 175th anniversary. Explore defining moments shaping the state — from its 1850 admission to the Union to today’s tech-fueled transformation. Learn More >>

Ben Eubanks ’78 and USC Trojan Chess are hosting the USC Invitational Chess Tournament. All skill levels are welcome. Meet and learn from experienced players and expand your network. Learn More >>

U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and Center for the Political Future Director Bob Shrum discuss “The Influence of Jewish Values and Faith in American Public Life,” examining how faith traditions inform public service, policy and civic life. Learn More >>

Sign-up to receive NewsRound, a weekly listing of news stories featuring USC Dornsife scholars.

“Articulating one’s self in writing is often seen as a mode of survival.”

The Washington Post published a book review by Jane Hu of English titled “Miriam Toews makes art on the line between writing and silence.”

“Maintaining the world’s biodiversity isn’t just about saving animals for their own sake.”

Earth.com quoted Jazlyn Mooney of quantitative and computational biology for the article “Vulnerable species can’t be saved without precise DNA maps.”

“If you farm kelp, then you will increase uptake of carbon by the ocean very substantially.”

Voice of OC featured Sergey Nuzhdin of biological sciences in the article “Cracking the Code on ‘Super Kelp’ Genetics.”

Fancy a stroll among prehistoric creatures? The La Brea Tar Pits are just minutes from both the University Park and Health Sciences campuses — and your USCard gets you in free! Pro tip: There’s a really cool immersive installation open now.