Research Poster 36 x 48 - A

1
Earthquake Mitigation I Techniques for Reducing
Earthquake Hazard
Earthquake Hazards and Risk Mitigation in
Western Washington and Oregon Keoni Wong, ES473
Environmental Geology, Spring 2009

Techniques for Buildings
Abstract
Introduction

• Strengthen, Convert, or Remove unsafe buildings
  in the town.
• Masonry walls need to be reinforced to
  withstand shaking and avoid collapse.
• Owners can retrofit their buildings allowing it
  to be supported during an earthquake.
• Secure non structural objects such as light
  fixtures to avoid injuries.
• Study earth materials below building foundation
  to avoid potential liquefaction or subsidence.

Studies and overall knowledge of Earthquake
hazards in Oregon has increased significantly
since the 1980s. Planning and mitigation efforts
have also increased in terms of earthquake
response. Buildings are being made stronger and
techniques were developed to lower property
damage and keep the public aware and safe.
Predicting earthquakes and potential damage to
homes is difficult due to variables such as
magnitude and distance of epicenter from
populations. Being prepared and knowing
earthquake hazards can ultimately help in
reducing its destruction when the time arrives.
Earthquakes are unequivocal. Emergency planning
and implementing strategies to prevent loss of
life and property is the only real way to be
ready for when an earthquake hits. Identifying
hazard-prone areas, preparing development plans,
reinforcing failure-prone buildings, and public
outreach are some techniques used to reduce
earthquake hazards and potentially save lives.
Once these protocols are established, and risk
models are developed, planners and
decision-makers can use this information to guide
modification of building codes to make sure that
all roads, offices, residential areas are
modernized and ready to withstand earthquake
motion. These hazard-mitigation techniques are
necessary to reduce the risk to human life and
property, potentially saving regional governments
billions of dollars in losses should an
earthquake ever occur. This paper focuses on
earthquake mitigation techniques that are
currently employed in the Pacific Northwest.
(Fig.3) Map showing the buildings in Oregon that
have been assessed. Federal emergency management
agency (FEMA) look for sites that are older, on
unstable soil, and that may have negative seismic
response.
Involve the Public
Conclusion
Creating pre- and post-plans to mitigate the
potential dangers in a hazardous situations can
benefit an entire city. If community meetings are
held making sure that everyone is aware of
potential dangers, this allows for less panic and
more organization if an earthquake should occur.
Guide books or pamphlets are really helpful in
spreading knowledge about earthquake
hazards. Firefighters can also play an important
role when dealing with schools by demonstrating
proper drills for children to practice in case of
an emergency situation.
Property will be damaged to some extent
regardless of preparation during an earthquake.
However, damages can be drastically reduced with
proper building retrofits and stronger housing
designs made to withstand shaking. Furthermore,
human life is not lost due to the earthquakes
itself, but from failure of buildings and non
structural manmade objects. By knowing building
foundations and studying hazard prone areas,
geologists can use information to place new
residences on sturdy ground. Communication and
town meetings can address important emergency
topics such as earthquake mitigation to make sure
that everyone is on the same page. Earthquake
hazard planning can play a major part in keeping
people safe and aware when the earth begins to
rumble and lives are on the line.
(Fig. 1) Yellow Asterisks show origins of
earthquakes underground along the Cascadia
seduction zone. Cities lying just above the
convergent plate boundary should have Earthquake
hazard plans ready .
References
Wang, Zhenming and Madin, Ian P. Relative
Earthquake Hazards map. State of Oregon Print.
"Oregon Seismic Needs Assessment." Oregon
Department of Geology Mineral Industries. 26
May 2009 lthttp//www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g47
3/oregon_seismic_upgrades.pdfgt.
http//www.ce.washington.edu/liquefaction/select
piclique/nigata64/tiltedbuilding.jpg
Contact Information
(Fig. 2A) Liquefaction can occur in areas like
the Willamette valley causing building to sink or
tilt. (Fig. 2B) Ground shaking amplification can
cause roads and bridges to fail.
Name Keoni Wong Organization ES 473
Email kkwong06_at_wou.edu