Washington state finds schools unsuited for earthquakes
SEATTLE — When the big one hits, Washington wants to be ready.
SEATTLE — When the big one hits, Washington wants to be ready.
Earthquake survey finds thousands of buildings of concern
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state's first statewide inventory of buildings prone to crumble or collapse in an earthquake has found there are thousands of unreinforced masonry buildings or URM that could be dangerous.The Department of Commerce reports that the survey combined various databases of historic structures as well as commercial, government and apartment buildings completed before 1958.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state's first statewide inventory of buildings prone to crumble or collapse in an earthquake has found there are thousands of unreinforced masonry buildings or URM that could be dangerous.The Department of Commerce reports that the survey combined various databases of historic structures as well as commercial, government and apartment buildings completed before 1958.
3 powerful earthquakes strike near Port Hardy, Canada
Three powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of British Columbia Sunday night within an hour.
Three powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of British Columbia Sunday night within an hour.
Magnitude 4.4 earthquake rattles Southern California
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake rattled a wide area of Southern California on Tuesday night. But there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake rattled a wide area of Southern California on Tuesday night. But there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
6.6 magnitude earthquake shakes Aleutian Islands
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Aleutian Islands Wednesday afternoon, according to the United States Geological Survey.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Aleutian Islands Wednesday afternoon, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Powerful 6.4 earthquake hits Alaska's North Slope region
Alaska's North Slope was hit Sunday by the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the region, the state's seismologist said.
Alaska's North Slope was hit Sunday by the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the region, the state's seismologist said.
State performs tests to see how schools may respond to earthquakes
FIFE, Wash. -- Scientists from the state Department of Natural Resources are performing tests across Washington to see how schools would handle an earthquake.On Thursday, DNR officials lined the fields outside of Fife High School with scientific readers to measure seismic waves.“When we have our next big earthquake, not if, but when, we should all know if the building that we’re in, the house we’re in, the school we’re in is built and is capable of withstanding that earthquake,” said Corina Forson, chief hazards geologists for the Department of Natural Resources.She and a team of geologists are going to schools across the state of Washington that were built before 2003, when the current building codes were instated.Her team is testing how hard or soft the ground is.The way they do this is by placing readers along the ground, and then use a sledge hammer to create seismic waves.Geologist say earthquakes will affect structures on softer ground much more than on harder ground.Inside the schools, engineers are testing to see the effect an earthquake would have on the building.“A lot of the reason a lot of us going into engineering is to protect the public,” said Dave Swanson, a structural engineer with Reid Middleton.
FIFE, Wash. -- Scientists from the state Department of Natural Resources are performing tests across Washington to see how schools would handle an earthquake.On Thursday, DNR officials lined the fields outside of Fife High School with scientific readers to measure seismic waves.“When we have our next big earthquake, not if, but when, we should all know if the building that we’re in, the house we’re in, the school we’re in is built and is capable of withstanding that earthquake,” said Corina Forson, chief hazards geologists for the Department of Natural Resources.She and a team of geologists are going to schools across the state of Washington that were built before 2003, when the current building codes were instated.Her team is testing how hard or soft the ground is.The way they do this is by placing readers along the ground, and then use a sledge hammer to create seismic waves.Geologist say earthquakes will affect structures on softer ground much more than on harder ground.Inside the schools, engineers are testing to see the effect an earthquake would have on the building.“A lot of the reason a lot of us going into engineering is to protect the public,” said Dave Swanson, a structural engineer with Reid Middleton.
82 dead after powerful earthquake strikes Indonesian islands
A powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, killing at least 82 people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen.
A powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, killing at least 82 people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen.
Getting ready for the Big One: Washington working to identify vulnerable buildings
SEATTLE -- Washington state is taking another major step forward in earthquake preparedness, by creating a new tool to help identify vulnerable structures statewide.The old Cadillac Hotel suffered major damage after the Nisqually quake in 2001.
SEATTLE -- Washington state is taking another major step forward in earthquake preparedness, by creating a new tool to help identify vulnerable structures statewide.The old Cadillac Hotel suffered major damage after the Nisqually quake in 2001.
3.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Oregon state capital city
The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the earthquake hit about 4 miles southwest of Silverton at 8:45 p.m. Saturday.
The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the earthquake hit about 4 miles southwest of Silverton at 8:45 p.m. Saturday.
Magnitude 5.3 quake strikes off Southern California coast
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck Thursday afternoon under the ocean off Southern California and was felt widely along the mainland coast, but there were no immediate reports of damage or a tsunami warning.
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck Thursday afternoon under the ocean off Southern California and was felt widely along the mainland coast, but there were no immediate reports of damage or a tsunami warning.
The 100+ items you need in your emergency preparedness kit
Are you really prepared for a disaster? The King County Emergency Management Agency recommends having two weeks worth of food and water. For a couple, that's 28 gallons of water, 28 breakfasts, 28 lunches, and 28 dinners. Also, don't forget supplies like an ax, an extra pair of glasses and proper shoes.
Are you really prepared for a disaster? The King County Emergency Management Agency recommends having two weeks worth of food and water. For a couple, that's 28 gallons of water, 28 breakfasts, 28 lunches, and 28 dinners. Also, don't forget supplies like an ax, an extra pair of glasses and proper shoes.
Does your home need an earthquake retrofit? Here's how to check
It was on this day 17 years ago that the Nisqually earthquake rocked our region.Since then, some homeowners have spent thousands of dollars to retrofit their homes and protect their property from a major earthquake.If your home was built before 1980, it is likely not secured to the foundation.
It was on this day 17 years ago that the Nisqually earthquake rocked our region.Since then, some homeowners have spent thousands of dollars to retrofit their homes and protect their property from a major earthquake.If your home was built before 1980, it is likely not secured to the foundation.
Earthquake preparedness tips
What to do to make it throughSeattle emergency managementKing County emergency managementHow to prepare yourself and your familyOffice and personal kit suppliesFamily emergency plan
What to do to make it throughSeattle emergency managementKing County emergency managementHow to prepare yourself and your familyOffice and personal kit suppliesFamily emergency plan
'Safety should never be compromised:' Are Washington schools prepared for earthquakes?
Washington's state superintendent admits earthquakes are the biggest casualty risk to students in our schools.But not much is being done in our state especially when you look at what is happening in other West Coast states and British Columbia.Washington is the only state that doesn't have a law or policy on doing seismic upgrades in our school.
Washington's state superintendent admits earthquakes are the biggest casualty risk to students in our schools.But not much is being done in our state especially when you look at what is happening in other West Coast states and British Columbia.Washington is the only state that doesn't have a law or policy on doing seismic upgrades in our school.
Strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake rattles Taiwan's coast
A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck Tuesday near the coast of Taiwan, and people may be trapped inside a building.
A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck Tuesday near the coast of Taiwan, and people may be trapped inside a building.
This earthquake early warning system headed for Seattle could save your life
SEATTLE -- Imagine getting a text alert on your cellphone.An earthquake is coming.
SEATTLE -- Imagine getting a text alert on your cellphone.An earthquake is coming.
5.8 magnitude quake strikes 100 miles off California coast
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck 100 miles (164 kilometers) off the coast of Northern California.
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck 100 miles (164 kilometers) off the coast of Northern California.