Earthquake NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response

Overview, Impact and Healthcare/Critical Infrastructure Key Resources (CIKR) 2

Background Information An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of plates beneath the earth’s surface. As the rocks move past each other, they occasionally stick along the faults, causing a gradual buildup of energy or strain. This energy is abruptly released in the form of seismic waves, which travel away from the earthquake’s source. 3

Magnitude, Intensity And Severity IndicatorMeasurement What does it measure? MagnitudeRichter ScaleEnergy Released Intensity Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) Ground Shaking (Surface Perception) Severity Mercalli Modified Index (MMI) Damage 4

Richter and Mercalli Richter Magnitude ScaleTypical Maximum MMI 1.0 to 3.0I 3.0 to 3.9II to III 4.0 to 4.9IV to V 5.0 to 5.9VI to VII 6.0 to 6.9VII to IX 7.0 and HigherVIII or Higher MMIDamage/Perception I1.Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions V1.Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened 2.Some dishes, windows broken 3.Unstable objects overturned VII 1.Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction 2.Slight to moderate damage in well-built ordinary structures 3.Considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures 5

Peak Ground Acceleration Most damage and loss caused by an earthquake is directly or indirectly the result of ground shaking. We can identify the areas, structures, and systems with highest risk and ultimately help reduce those risks. Mapping of geographic distribution of ground shaking (PGA) in New York. Source: 6

Seismic History - Northeast Ramapo Fault Earthquakes in the USA Northeast and Canada border area. Source: 7

NYC Faults Mosholu Parkway fault Dyckman Street fault Manhattan's 125th Street fault What does this mean to us? NYC Faults and Disaster Relevant Facilities. Source: 8

NYC Soil Geologic Composition Types of soils in New York. Source: 9

Manhattan Soil Composition NEHRP Soil classifications in Manhattan. Source: 10

Impact 11

Impact – Building Composition Types of buildings in Manhattan. Source: 12

Impact – Building Damage Expected Structural Damage in Manhattan. Source: 13

Impact – Injuries and Casualties Why do people get injured? How are injuries and casualties estimated? How many injuries and casualties are likely to be recorded? Injuries (Left) and Casualties (Right) Estimates for Different Earthquake Scenarios. Source: 14

Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKRs) Assets, systems, networks, and functions—physical or virtual—so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating impact to the country. Defined by the Department of Homeland Security 15

CIKR – Healthcare & Public Health Toxic Release Hazardous Materials Sites. Source: 16

CIKR – Transportation Debris quantity in Manhattan in three different earthquake scenarios. Source: SP02p.pdf 17

CIKR – Water  Combined sewer system  Threats:  Heavy Rainfall  Snowmelt  Hurricane  Earthquake  Aging Infrastructure  Vulnerability  Impact Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Combined Sewer Overflow. Source: 18

CIKR – Water (cont’d) Figure : NYC Sewer Outflows and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Source: sewage-outflowsfyi.html 19

Challenges & Lessons Observed Insurance Coverage Planning for earthquakes is essential in seismically active regions Develop and maintain an earthquake plan that will be constantly updated Development of urban search and rescue resources is essential The need for a fail-safe emergency communication system to manage both information and resources Lack of standardized emergency management planning policies and operational procedures can worsen the outcome of an event This is why OEPR with the assistance of subject matter experts have prepared a threat response guide to define DOHMH’s role and responsibilities for an earthquake 20