Abstract Earthquakes are hazardous to people and the economy. Potential loss impacts include lives, homes, office buildings, manufacturing plants, schools, port facilities, and transportation infrastructure. Urban development in active tectonic settings, such as the Pacific Northwest, is fraught with risk, therefore earthquake education, outreach, and planning are necessary to minimize damage and establish recovery plans. People living in areas where earthquakes exist must understand pre- and post-earthquake issues. Loss Potential Potential post-earthquake concerns Personal concerns such as childcare, food, and shelter, including effects on businesses because of injuries or deaths to employees and customers. Loss of power during and immediately following the event. Loss of surface transportation. Ability of businesses to communicate with customers during and a disaster. Physical loss and damage to business structures and facilities. The capacity of hospitals and health care facilities to accommodate people injured by the earthquake Losses because of limited Just in-Time inventories. Potential for permanent loss of businesses due to weeks or months of damaged infrastructure. Risk-Reduction strategies Disseminate Hazards Information (status quo). This strategy consists of dissemination of new scientific information about earthquake hazards in the region through professional publications, newsletters, and meetings. Seek Mandate Revisions. This strategy consists of directly seeking revisions in state-level building- code. Land use, and lifeline-related mandates or licensing. Influence Local Government Practices. This strategy consists of efforts to influence the practices of emergency services, building, and planning departments in carrying out state mandates and local policies, and in promoting earthquake risk-reduction and preparedness Influence Private Professional Practices. This strategy consists of efforts to influence the practices of the private- sector engineering and building-design community. Preparedness Earthquake-hazard-reduction techniques Preparing redevelopment plans Creating regulatory zones Securing nonstructural building components Informing the public Strengthening unreinforced-masonry buildings Estimating casualties, damage, and interruptions Risk Reduction 5 elements needed for any regulation to reduce earthquake hazards. Defining the hazard. Evaluating specific hazardous site conditions. Mapping of the hazard zones. Screening of development proposals. Adding appropriate conditions to the basic ordinance requirements. References Cited Rogers, Albert M, and George Priest. "An Introduction to Predicting Earthquake Hazards and Losses in the Pacific Northwest." Assessing Earthquake Hazards and Reducing Risk in the Pacific Northwest (1995): 1-4. Wang, Yumei, and J Clark. "Earthquake damage in Oregon: Preliminary estimates of future earthquake losses." Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries 29 (1999): 1-8. Wang, Yumei. "Earthquake Risks and Mitigation." Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (1999): Earthquake Mitigation II: Loss Potential, Preparedness, Risk Reduction, and Recovery Gerritt Vincent ES473 Environmental Geology Spring 2009 Securing Cabinets to wall Strapping Water Heater Chemical Lockbox Ways to secure nonstructural building components Artwork hangers for earthquakes Recovery The priorities of emergency response Saving lives Restoring essential services Loss of energy, Banking and Finance, Water and food chain Transportation Continuity of government Conclusion By understanding the loss potential of Earthquakes we can hopefully get educated on what to do before, during and after it hits. It is important to be prepared with seismic knowledge and awareness to minimize Earthquake damage. Also, because earthquake research in the Pacific Northwest is new, contingency planners, business leaders, and elected officials should continue to develop short- and long term risk-reduction strategies to mitigate Earthquakes. Finally, changes must be made to quicken the recovery of Earthquakes to save homes and to save lives. EMT ResponseEmergency Food Storage Emergency Transportation Emergency Generator Introduction This paper focuses on shaking-related hazards associated with western Oregon Topics include expected financial loss, building damage scenarios, and the casualty risks associated with severe earthquake events. Emphasis is placed on public awareness, earthquake-related legislation, site-specific seismic-hazard investigations, and organizational strategies that target risk reduction (e.g. Cascadian Region Earthquake Workgroup-CREW). By understanding seismic mechanisms and planning for the affects of severe earthquakes, Oregonians can better prepare for disaster recovery.