Seismological Research Letters (SRL), established in 1929 as Earthquake Notes and renamed in 1987, is a bimonthly peer-reviewed journal published by the Seismological Society of America (SSA). With a 2024 impact factor of 3.2, SRL serves as a vital platform for informal communication among seismologists, engineers, and earthquake hazard-policy professionals, while also engaging nonspecialists interested in seismology and related disciplines. The journal aims to bridge subspecialties within the geosciences, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue through a variety of content types, including original research articles, opinion pieces, special earthquake reports, and regular columns such as Opinion, Electronic Seismologist, Historical Seismologist, EduQuakes, Data Mine, Emerging Topics, Communicating Science, and In Memoriam.
SRL distinguishes itself from its sister publication, the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (BSSA), by emphasizing shorter, more accessible content and a broader scope that includes columns and special focus sections on timely topics. These focus sections, such as those on advances in ocean monitoring, statistical seismology, or volcano monitoring in the Americas, compile collections of papers on critical and emerging issues, often guest-edited by leading experts. Recent examples include the 2023 focus section on Puerto Rico’s resilience following hurricanes and earthquakes and tributes to notable seismologists. The journal’s scope encompasses seismology, induced seismicity, seismic wave propagation, fault mechanics, and ground motion studies, with an emphasis on making complex topics understandable to a wider audience.
Manuscripts are submitted through an online portal (https://www.editorialmanager.com/srl/), adhering to strict guidelines that prohibit prior publication or simultaneous submission elsewhere. SRL encourages submissions from both SSA members and non-members, with no page charges for certain content like memorials, though fees apply for color figures and electronic supplements. Authors are required to use SI units (e.g., N m for seismic moment, MPa for stress) and follow formatting standards, such as using the solidus for fractions and ensuring equations are editable. The journal supports open science by encouraging data sharing through public repositories and requiring a Data and Resources statement with links to archived datasets.
SRL’s editorial process is rigorous, with a first decision typically provided within 8.7 weeks, and accepted papers are often published in the next bimonthly issue. The journal is indexed by major databases like Scopus and has a CiteScore of 6.4, reflecting its influence in the field. Its content, available from 1929 to the present, includes high-impact studies on topics like seismic waveform data integration, the use of fiber optic cables for seismic detection, and rapid ground motion estimation using GNSS data. SRL also addresses historical seismology, such as the 1908 Messina Straits earthquake, and modern challenges like induced seismicity from CO2 injection. With a Q1 ranking in geophysics, SRL remains a key resource for advancing seismology and understanding earthquake hazards for societal benefit.
