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If Recent 5.2 California Quake Were to Happen in
St. Louis, Expect Much More Damage
May 15, 2002
Building Codes Weaker in Central US, Less Compliance.
ST. LOUIS
--- On Monday evening, May 13, 2002, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake
occurred in northern California just after 10:00 pm (Pacific
Daylight Time).
The epicenter
was near Gilroy --- the Garlic Capital of the World ---
in an area long recognized for its earthquake activity.
Especially active segments of the San Andreas and the Sergeant
faults are in that area trigger small to moderate-sized
earthquakes fairly frequently.
Minor
damage occurred, such as burst water pipes and fallen suspended
ceiling tiles. Some retailers lost inventory thrown from
store shelves.
For those
who live in that part of California, it may be considered
a nuisance, but such events are taken in stride.
However,
should an earthquake of the same size, magnitude 5.2, occur
in the central or eastern US, much more damage can be expected.
There
are many reasons for the difference, according to Phyllis
Steckel, geologist with ABS Consulting and Vice Chairman
of the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission.
"A
magnitude 5.2 earthquake could occur anywhere in the central
or eastern US, not necessarily just along the New Madrid
fault," Steckel said. "It's about the size of
a 'background earthquake' that most geoscientists think
could happen just about anywhere."
The rock
in the central and eastern US tends to transmit earthquake
energy farther and more effectively than rock in California.
Because of this, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake in the central
or eastern US will affect five to ten times as much area
as a magnitude 5.2 earthquake in California.
This
is shown by the magnitude 5.1 earthquake that occurred
on April 20 in upstate New York. That earthquake, which
was smaller than Monday's California event, caused significant
damage to roads, chimneys, and older buildings in the rural
area near the epicenter. It was felt over a much larger
area, from Baltimore to Buffalo and throughout much of
eastern Canada.
"In
California, enough damaging earthquakes have occurred in
the last 100 years or so, that lessons have been learned," Steckel
said. "When a particular type of building design or
construction takes the brunt of the earthquake damage over
and over again, people there have learned to avoid that
way of doing things. Californians have also adopted very
effective building codes and they make sure new construction
complies with those codes. We haven't had that recent experience
with damaging earthquakes. Unfortunately, here in Missouri,
we're still the 'Show Me' state."
In Missouri,
no statewide building code exists, and building codes are
actually prohibited by law in 93 of 114 Missouri counties.
Law prohibits most of the counties in southeast Missouri,
which are at highest risk from the New Madrid fault, from
adopting building codes.
Cities
in Missouri are allowed to adopt building codes. However,
sometimes large, new developments are intentionally located
just outside city limits. Owners later petition the city
for annexation.
This
complicates other issues, such as fire protection, because
the newly annexed structures may not meet fire codes that
have been adopted by the city. Fighting fires in such structures
may put firefighters at higher risk as well.
In Missouri,
depending on the local jurisdiction, compliance with the
building codes that have been adopted varies widely. Some
jurisdictions have rigorous and effective compliance. Others
have none at all.
"Earthquakes
aren't a problem until you have one. I just hope we see
this as a wake-up call," Steckel said.
For more information contact:
Phyllis Steckel, RG
Geologist
1-314-994-7007 | psteckel@absconsulting.com
Rebecca Rieansnider
Senior Marketing Communications Specialist - ABS Consulting
1-281-673-2948 | rrieansnider@absconsulting.com |
