Earthquake Preparedness April 2013 April is earthquake preparedness month, and in light of how many significant earthquakes have transpired since the start of this calendar year – it’s good to provide additional training on staying prepared and emergency procedures in the event of an earthquake. Information in training was provided by: Utah Seismic Safety Commission Utah Division of Homeland Security Utah Geological Survey University of Utah Seismograph Stations Structural Engineers Association of Utah “Preparedness is for everyone, not just for the movers and shakers.”

Japan – March 11, 2011 The March 11, 2011 earthquake registered a magnitude of 9.0. On March 12, 2012 the Japanese National Police Agency confirmed 15,854 deaths, 26,992 injured, and 3,155 people still missing. 129K buildings totally collapsed 254K buildings “half collapsed” and another 691K buildings were partially damaged. Japan has experienced 1000s of aftershocks since the earthquake with about 60 registering over 6.0 magnitude and at least 3 over 7.0. Insured losses from the earthquake alone was between $15B and $34B. An estimated 230,000 automobiles and trucks were damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

An Earthquake Is . . . A sudden slipping or movement of a portion of the Earth’s crust, caused by a sudden release of stresses, usually less than 25 miles below the surface. Seismologists estimate that the Chile earthquake was so powerful that it may have shortened the length of the day by 1.26 microseconds and moved the Earth's figure axis by 8 cm or 2.7 milliarcseconds.[ It also moved the entire city of Concepción 3.04 meters (10 ft) to the west. The capital Santiago moved almost 24 centimeters (10 in) west, and even Buenos Aires about 1,350 kilometers (840 mi) from Concepción, shifted 3.9 centimeters (1.5 in).

Richter Scale Small: 5.0 to 5.9 Moderate: 6.0 to 6.9 Major: 7.0 to 7.9 Great: 8.0 or greater Top Ten Earthquakes Recorded: 1960 – Chile – 9.5 Richter Scale – 1,655 Deaths - $6 Million Damages 1964 – Alaska – 9.2 – 128 Deaths - $300 Million 2004 – West Sumatra – 9.1 Richter Scale - 227,898 Deaths – Billions in Damages 1952 – Russia – 9.1 - None reported - $1 Million 2010 – Chile – 8.8 – 342 Deaths – Billions in Damages 1906 – Ecuador – 8.8 – 500 – 1500 Deaths – Cost of Damages unknown 1965 – Alaska – 8.7 – No deaths reported - $10,000 2005 – North Sumatra – 8.6 – 1300 Deaths – Unknown Cost 1950 – Tibet – 8.6 – 780 Deaths - $25 Million 1957 – Alaska – 8.6 - None reported - $5 Million

Damage Caused by Earthquakes Collapsed buildings Damage to utilities, structures, and roads Fires and explosions Structural instability Collapsed buildings: Square or rectangular buildings typically perform better than irregular-shaped buildings. Steel & wood are considered flexible or “ductile” & tend to absorb the energy. Concrete & masonry are more “rigid” & can transfer the ground motion directly into the structure. Non-structure elements in buildings – bookcases, shelves & ceiling tiles, light fixtures fall to floor or hurtle across rooms injuring / killing occupants. Structures & Roads: Damage to roads & bridges hinder rescue & recovery efforts. Water & sewer pipeline breaks can result in contamination of surface & ground water, & cause “sinkholes” that undermine roads & bridges. Fires & Explosions: Damage to natural gas & electrical distribution systems can cause fires & major service outages. Damage to petroleum pipelines can cause oil spills, which then can ignite fires. Structural Instability: Dams can fail & generate waves. Earthquakes can trigger landslides which can also cause rock falls. Earthquakes can cause “liquefaction” – soils to behave like liquid (sink holes). The Haiti Government estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged during the January 2010 earthquake. In Chile, they estimated that 500,000 homes were damaged during quake, and 93% of population was affected by a “blackout” following the quake. Chilean quake would cost the insurance industry between 4 and 7 billion dollars.\

Likelihood of an Earthquake Greatest likelihood of a major earthquake is in: The Western United States. The New Madrid Fault Zone in Missouri. A few pockets on the east coast.

Earthquake Statistics 15% of the population lives in zones of potential major disaster. Residents of California face the highest risk. Four million people along the New Madrid Fault Zone are at great risk. Residents of Massachusetts, North Carolina, and South Carolina are also at risk.

Utah is “Earthquake Country” Most of Utah’s populated area lies within an active earthquake belt (Wasatch Front) One of the longest & most active normal faults in the world, the 240-mile long WASATCH FAULT extends from Malad City, Idaho, south to Fayette, Utah. Nearly 80% of Utah’s population lives within 15 miles of the Wasatch Fault. The fault is subdivided into 10 segments, averaging 25 miles in length; each segment is generally thought to rupture independently and is a separate source of large earthquakes. HISTORICAL QUAKES OF ABOUT MAGNITUDE 5.5 & LARGER IN UTAH REGION: 1884 – M 6 – Bear Lake Valley 1887 – M 5.5 – Kanab 1900 – M 5.5 – Eureka 1901 – M 6.5 – Richfield 1902 – M 6 – Pine Valley 1909 – M 6 – Hansel Valley 1910 – M 5.5 – Salt Lake City 1914 – M 5.5 – Ogden 1921 – M 6 – Elsinore (two events) 1934 – M 6.6 – Hansel Valley 1959 – M 5.7 – Utah-Arizona Border 1962 – M 5.7 – Richmond 1966 – M 6.0 – Utah-Nevada Border 1975 – M 6.0 – Utah-Idaho Border 1992 – M 5.9 – St. George

Earthquakes in Utah Region More than 36,000 earthquakes have occurred in the Utah region since 1962. You can see that earthquakes don’t just occur along the Wasatch Front either. More than 36,000 earthquakes have occurred in Utah since 1962 – 16 of which were recorded at a magnitude 5.5 and larger. One-half of the 16 damaging earthquakes in Utah of magnitude 5.5 and larger since 1850 have occurred outside the Wasatch Front area in central & southwestern Utah. One of the largest historical earthquakes in Utah was a 6.5 near Richfield in 1901. The Sevier Valley area between Richfield and Marysvale has had 8 earthquakes of magnitude 5 and larger.

Frequency of Earthquakes in Utah

How Likely is a “Big One*” “Big One” vs. Cause of Death Reality Check: How Likely is a “Big One*” “Big One” vs. Cause of Death Earthquake Source Annual Likelihood Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch Fault 1 in 450 to 1 in 1,600 One of Wasatch Fault’s five central segments (Brigham City to Nephi) 1 in 300 1 in 400 One of 30 active faults in the Wasatch Front region 1 in 200 * Earthquake of about magnitude 7 Cause of Death Your Annual Risk Heart Disease 1 in 450 Cancer 1 in 530 Stroke 1 in 2,100 Motor-vehicle accident 1 in 6,500 True – Utah is not California. However, about 800 earthquakes occur each year in Utah. Most of these earthquakes are small and not felt – whereas, California has more “wake-up calls” (6.5 magnitude & larger). Scientific studies in Utah indicate that “Big Ones” occur somewhere in the Wasatch Front every few hundreds of years. On a geologic time table, Utah is due for its next “Big One.”

Potential Damages for Utah: Estimated Damages to Utah if 7.0 or greater earthquake hit along Wasatch Front. More than 75% of Utah’s economy is concentrated in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis & Weber counties – above the Wasatch Fault Most of Utah’s State Government facilities are located within 15 miles of the Wasatch Fault. Major interstate transportation corridors & the Salt Lake City International Airport are located within 15 miles of the Wasatch Fault. By 2030, population in the Wasatch Front is projected to grow to 2.8 million (a 50% increase over 2005). To meet the needs of growing population along Wasatch Front - $14.4 billion of new transit & highway infrastructure is planned over the next 3 decades. Area Building Losses ($ Billions) Displaced Households Life-threatening injuries & deaths Brigham City 3 14,000 500 Weber 16 57,000 3,000 Salt Lake City 42 150,000 9,000 Provo 14 48,000

Questions to Ask Yourself: Where will your family be? Will you have medical services? Will you be able to get home? Will you be able to stay in your home? Can you live without the services you rely on? How will your job be affected? Your Life Could Change Unexpectedly in the Next Quake if you are Not Prepared: Where will your family be? Will you have medical services? (911 will be overloaded, hospitals may be damaged, emergency rooms may be overwhelmed, etc) Will you be able to get home? (Roads may be too damaged, car may be damaged, public transportation may experience closures, etc) Will you be able to stay in your home? Can you live without the services you rely on? (Water & gasoline may be in short supply, electricity / gas may be out, telephone / internet services may be disrupted or delayed, bank operations may be disrupted, grocery / drug stores may be closed, etc). How will your job be affected? (Business may sustain damages, income may be affected, workplace may become temporary shelter) DID YOU KNOW? Homeowner’s & renter’s insurance policies do not cover losses related to earthquakes. A separate earthquake insurance policy is one way to help protect your home, and help with additional living expenses in the days & weeks after earthquakes.

BEFORE an Earthquake: Step 1: Identify potential hazards in your home & begin to fix them. Step 2: Create a disaster-preparedness plan. Step 3: Prepare disaster supply kits. Step 4: Identify your building’s potential weaknesses & begin to fix them. Refer to Handout

DURING an Earthquake: Step 5: Protect yourself during “shaking.” Refer to Handout

AFTER an Earthquake Step 6: After the earthquake, check for injuries & damage Step 7: When safe, continue to follow your disaster-preparedness plan. Refer to Handout

Earthquake Preparedness Resources Utah Seismic Safety Commission http://ussc.utah.gov Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country State of Utah http://bereadyutah.gov Questions?