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• Multi-hazard Loss Estimation Methodology: Earthquake Model, Hazus-MH 2.1: Technical Manual

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  "The Technical Manual describes the methods for performing earthquake loss estimation. It is based on a multi-year project to develop a nationally applicable methodology for estimating potential earthquake losses on a regional basis. The project has being conducted for the National Institute of Building Science (NIBS) under a cooperative agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The primary purpose of the project is to develop guidelines and procedures for making earthquake loss estimates at a regional scale. These loss estimates would be used primarily by local, state and regional officials to plan and stimulate efforts to reduce risks from earthquakes and to prepare for emergency response and recovery. A secondary purpose of the project is to provide a basis for assessing nationwide risk of earthquake losses. The methodology development and software implementation has been performed by a team of earthquake loss experts composed of earth scientists, engineers, architects, economists, emergency planners, social scientists and software developers. The Earthquake Committee has provided technical direction and review of work with guidance from the Project Oversight Committee (POC), a group representing user interests in the earthquake engineering community."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Goals, Opportunities, and Priorities for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

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  "This report presents a new strategic plan for the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (EHRP), which is directed at understanding the causes and effects of earthquakes, evaluating potential earthquake hazards, and predicting earthquakes and their geologic effects. The program is a principal component of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, established by the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 for the purpose of reducing risks to life and property from earthquakes. [...] As a strategic plan, this document provides the scientific framework and rationale for the EHRP. It defmes the goals and objectives of the program and the types of activities by which the goals should be pursued. Further, it suggests priorities for program activities in the context of two annual funding options-$50 and $100 million. This document is not an itemized workplan and thus does not define how, when, and where specific activities should be undertaken. The intended audience of this report is primarily the earth-science and earthquake-hazard-reduction community."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Page, Robert A.; Boore, David M.; Thatcher, Wayne R. . . .

  1992
• Earthquakes: Risk, Detection, Warning, and Research [March 18, 2011]

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  "The United States faces the possibility of large economic losses from earthquake-damaged buildings and infrastructure. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has estimated that earthquakes cost the United States, on average, over $5 billion per year. California, Oregon, and Washington account for nearly $4.1 billion (77%) of the U.S. total estimated average annualized loss. California alone accounts for most of the estimated annualized earthquake losses for the nation. A single large earthquake, however, can cause far more damage than the average annual estimate. The 1994 Northridge (CA) earthquake caused as much as $26 billion (in 2005 dollars) in damage and was one of the costliest natural disasters to strike the United States. One study of the damage caused by a hypothetical magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the San Andreas Fault in southern California projected as many as 1,800 fatalities and more than $200 billion in economic losses. An issue for the 112th Congress is whether existing federally supported programs aimed at reducing U.S. vulnerability to earthquakes are an adequate response to the earthquake hazard. […] Legislation was introduced during the 111th Congress (H.R. 3820) that would have made changes to the program and would have authorized appropriations totaling $906 million over five years for NEHRP. Ninety percent of the funding would have been designated for the USGS [United State Geological Survey] and NSF [National Science Foundation], and the remainder for FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] and NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology]. The bill passed the House but not the Senate. Similar legislation will likely be introduced in the 112th Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2011-03-18
• National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP): Issues in Brief [August 27, 2014]

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  "Under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), four federal agencies have responsibility for long-term earthquake risk reduction: the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These agencies assess U.S. earthquake hazards, deliver notifications of seismic events, develop measures to reduce earthquake hazards, and conduct research to help reduce overall U.S. vulnerability to earthquakes. Congressional oversight of the NEHRP program encompasses how well the four agencies coordinate their activities to address the earthquake hazard. Better coordination was a concern that led to changes to the program in legislation enacted in 2004 (P.L. 108-360). P.L. 108-360 authorized appropriations for NEHRP through FY2009. Total funding enacted from reauthorization through FY2009 was $613.2 million, approximately 68% of the total amount of $902.4 million authorized by P.L. 108-360. Although authorization for appropriations expired in 2009, Congress has continued to appropriate funds for NEHRP activities. NEHRP agencies spent $119.5 million for program activities in FY2013, less than FY2012 spending of $124.1 million and less than the FY2014 enacted amount of $121.4. Also, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA; P.L. 111-5) provided some additional funding for earthquake activities under NEHRP."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2014-08-27
• Earthquake Risk and U.S. Highway Infrastructure: Frequently Asked Questions [June 5, 2013]

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  "The 9.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sendai, Japan, on March 11, 2011, renewed concerns about the seismic risk to America's infrastructure, including its highways. Concerns about the U.S. highway system's seismic risk stem from interest in protecting public safety, facilitating response and recovery efforts, and minimizing economic loss and social disruption. Seismic resilience of the U.S. highway system has improved in recent decades as investments have been made to build new, more resilient infrastructure and to retrofit existing structures. However, not all existing highway infrastructure has been retrofitted, and no infrastructure can be constructed in a cost-effective manner to be immune from the most intense earthquakes, so some seismic risk to the U.S. highway system remains. Although earthquake hazards in the United States generally are well documented, little national or federal data exist about the seismic risk to U.S. highway infrastructure. Instead, seismic highway risks typically are assessed and addressed by state and local entities which are generally responsible for building and maintaining that infrastructure. The federal government supports these nonfederal efforts by providing data on the seismic hazard for different locations, assisting in the development of construction standards and guidelines, and undertaking research, training, and the development of tools to assist in risk reduction. In limited circumstances, the federal government invests directly in improving resiliency of specific highway structures. This report addresses frequently asked questions about the risk from earthquakes to highway systems, including bridges, tunnels, pavements, and other highway components. Particular attention is given to highway bridges, which often are the most vulnerable highway structures. The report also discusses federal and nonfederal actions to reduce seismic risk to the U.S. highway system. Japan is generally regarded as the country with the most earthquake-resilient infrastructure. Research into the performance of Japan's highway structures and systems during and after the massive Sendai earthquake and resulting tsunami is ongoing. Japanese and U.S. earthquake science and engineering researchers have well-established collaborations aimed at gathering empirical data and drawing lessons from significant events. It is too soon to know how the events in Japan will affect understanding of the seismic risk of U.S. highway infrastructure, and whether changes in U.S. seismic highway design standards and guidance will result."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin); Carter, Nicole T.; Mallett, William

  2013-06-05
• National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP): Issues in Brief [December 3, 2018]

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  "Under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), four federal agencies have responsibility for long-term earthquake risk reduction: the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These agencies assess U.S. earthquake hazards, deliver notifications of seismic events, develop measures to reduce earthquake hazards, and conduct research to help reduce overall U.S. vulnerability to earthquakes. Congressional oversight of the NEHRP program encompasses how well the four agencies coordinate their activities to address the earthquake hazard. Better coordination was a concern that led to changes to the program in legislation enacted in 2004 (the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004; P.L. 108-360; 42 U.S.C. 7704)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2018-12-03
• Earthquakes: Risk, Detection, Warning, and Research [February 8, 2011]

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  "A single large earthquake, however, can cause far more damage than the average annual estimate. The 1994 Northridge (CA) earthquake caused as much as $26 billion (in 2005 dollars) in damage and was one of the costliest natural disasters to strike the United States. One study of the damage caused by a hypothetical magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the San Andreas Fault in southern California projected as many as 1,800 fatalities and more than $200 billion in economic losses. An issue for the 112th Congress is whether existing federally supported programs aimed at reducing U.S. vulnerability to earthquakes are an adequate response to the earthquake hazard. Under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), four federal agencies have responsibility for long-term earthquake risk reduction: the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). [...] Legislation was introduced during the 111th Congress (H.R. 3820) that would have made changes to the program and would have authorized appropriations totaling $906 million over five years for NEHRP. Ninety percent of the funding would have been designated for the USGS and NSF, and the remainder for FEMA and NIST. The bill passed the House but not the Senate. Similar legislation will likely be introduced in the 112th Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2011-02-08
• Earthquakes in and near the Northeastern United States, 1638-1998

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  "Earthquakes occur on geologic faults. However, in nearly all parts of the northeastern U.S., we do not yet know how to tell which fault caused an individual earthquake. Geologic maps show faults that are exposed at the Earth's surface, and maps like this one show the locations of earthquakes, but there is no reliable map of 'earthquake faults' for the northeastern U.S. The most common way to measure an earthquake's size is its magnitude. There are many different magnitude scales, or ways to measure magnitude. Use of different scales can give slightly different values for the magnitude of the same earthquake. Therefore, your favorite earthquake might be shown here with a magnitude slightly different from what you have seen reported elsewhere."

  United States. Department of the Interior; Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2001-02
• Earthquake Hazard in the Heart of the Homeland

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  "Evidence that earthquakes threaten the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash River valleys of the Central United States abounds. In fact, several of the largest historical earthquakes to strike the continental United States occurred in the winter of 1811--1812 along the New Madrid seismic zone, which stretches from just west of Memphis, Tenn., into southern Illinois (fig. 1). Several times in the past century, moderate earthquakes have been widely felt in the Wabash Valley seismic zone along the southern border of Illinois and Indiana (fig. 1). Throughout the region, between 150 and 200 earthquakes are recorded annually by a network of monitoring instruments, although most are too small to be felt by people. Geologic evidence for prehistoric earthquakes throughout the region has been mounting since the late 1970s. But how significant is the threat? How likely are large earthquakes and, more importantly, what is the chance that the shaking they cause will be damaging? […]The USGS produces earthquake (seismic) hazard maps on a national scale (fig. 2). Hazard maps are also now produced in select urban areas. At either scale there are a suite of maps for different probabilities and time periods; the choice of which to use depends upon the needs of the user. Builders of a dam, for instance, might want to consider longer periods of time and less likely levels of shaking than a home builder. This is because a dam is built to have a longer life, and damage to it would have a greater impact on society."

  United States. Department of the Interior; Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2007-01
• Geomorphic Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964 in the Martin-Bering Rivers Area, Alaska

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  "The Alaska earthquake of March 27, 1964, caused widespread geomorphic changes in the Martin-Bering Rivers area-900 square miles of uninhabited mountains, alluvial flatlands, and marshes north of the Gulf of Alaska, and east of the Copper River. This area is at lat 60°30' N. and long 144°22' W., 32 miles east of Cordova, and approximately 130 miles east-southeast of the epicenter of the earthquake. The geomorphic effects observed were: (1) earthquake-induced ground fractures, (2) mudvent deposits, (3) 'earthquake-fountain' craters, ( 4) subsidence, (5) mudcones, (6) avalanches, (7) subaqueous landslides, (8) turbidity changes in ice-basined lakes on the Martin River glacier, (9) filling of ice-walled sinkholes, (10) gravel-coated snow cones, (11) lake ice fractures, and (12) uplift accompanied the earthquake. In addition to geomorphic effects, the earthquake affected the animal populations of the area. These include migratory fish, terrestrial mollusks, fur-bearing animals, and man. The Alaska earthquake clearly delineated areas of alluvial fill, snow and rock avalanche corridors, and deltas of the deeper lakes as unsuitable for future construction."

  United States. Department of the Interior; Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Tuthill, Samuel J.; Laird, Wilson M. (Wilson Morrow), 1915-1997

  1966
• FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program: Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2014

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  "The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), which was first authorized by Congress in 1977, coordinates the earthquake-related activities of the Federal Government. The goal of NEHRP is to mitigate earthquake losses in the United States through basic and directed research and implementation activities in the fields of earthquake science and engineering. Under NEHRP, FEMA is responsible for developing effective earthquake risk reduction tools and promoting their implementation, as well as supporting the development of disaster-resistant building codes and standards. FEMA's NEHRP activities are led by the FEMA Headquarters (HQ), Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Risk Reduction Division, Building Science Branch, in strong partnership with other FEMA HQ Directorates, and in coordination with the FEMA Regions, the States, the earthquake consortia, and other public and private partners. This report describes selected FEMA NEHRP accomplishments (HQ and Regional), followed by highlights from the States and U.S. territories and organizations which received FEMA support for NEHRP activities. The accomplishments described in this report showcase how FEMA and its partners, working in collaboration, continued to make progress toward earthquake loss-reduction nationwide."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2015?
• Haiti Earthquake: Crisis and Response [May 6, 2010]

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  "The largest earthquake ever recorded in Haiti devastated parts of the country, including the capital, on January 12, 2010. The quake, centered about 15 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, had a magnitude of 7.0. A series of strong aftershocks have followed. Experts estimate the earthquake caused $8 to $14 billion in damage. Approximately 3 million people, roughly onethird of the overall population, have been affected by the earthquake with estimates ranging from 1.2 to 2 million people displaced. The government of Haiti is reporting an estimated 230,000 deaths and 300,600 injured. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, President Rene Préval described conditions in his country as 'unimaginable,' and appealed for international assistance. As the humanitarian relief operation continues, the government is struggling to restore the institutions needed for it to function, ensure political stability, and address long-term reconstruction and development planning. Prior to the earthquake, the international community was providing extensive development and humanitarian assistance to Haiti. […]. The Department of Homeland Security has temporarily halted the deportation of Haitians and granted Temporary Protected Status for 18 months to Haitian nationals in the United States as of January 12, 2010. Congressional concerns include budget priorities and oversight, burdensharing, immigration, tax incentives for charitable donations, trade preferences for Haiti, and helping constituents with adoptions and other issues. Several congressional committees have held hearings on Haiti. The focus of this report is on the immediate crisis in Haiti as a result of the earthquake, the U.S. and international response to date, and long-term implications of the earthquake."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda; Taft-Morales, Maureen

  2010-05-06
• Advances in Earthquake Science: 50th Anniversary of the Great Alaskan Quake: Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, March 27, 2014

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  This is a compilation of the March 27, 2014 hearing on "Advances in Earthquake Science" held before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. From the opening statement of Doug Lamborn: "Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Good Friday Great Alaska Earthquake. It was a massive 9.2 magnitude quake making it the second largest earthquake ever recorded with 'modern' seismic equipment, and the largest in the US. Technically, the earthquake occurred in the Aleutian Trench 'subduction zone' - although at the time the earthquake occurred 'subduction zone' was not a part of the geologic lexicon. The rupture occurred along a 580 mile stretch of the fault and lasted between 4 and 5 minutes. The earthquake caused the greatest amount of vertical uplift ever measured, almost 34 feet, and Southern Alaska moved more than 6S feet seaward. The earthquake also caused the largest tsunami to ever hit the west coast of the United States and Canada with the largest wave, 222 feet high, hitting Valdez at Shoup Bay." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Doug Lamborn, William Leith, Lisa Grant Ludwig, John Vidale, and Reginald DesRoches.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Natural Resources

  2014-03-27
• Seismic Waves: Thirty-four Strides Toward Earthquake-Resistant Structures

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  Seismic Waves is a newsletter published by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program [NEHRP]. "A unique and highly productive program of applied research and development (R&D) in earthquake engineering celebrated its fifth anniversary in September 2012. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the lead Federal agency in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), launched this external R&D effort in 2007 through a 5-year contract with the NEHRP Consultants Joint Venture, a partnership between the Applied Technology Council (ATC) and the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE). The need for such a program had been recognized several years earlier, when planning efforts organized by NIST warned of a widening gap between the findings of basic research in earth-quake engineering and the practical application of those findings. The new program was designed to narrow this gap through problem-focused, practitioner-directed R&D [research & development] projects. By the close of the contract period, the program had initiated 34 projects, 15 of which are still under way. The role played by applied research, such as NIST's R&D projects, in integrating research findings into earthquake engineering is illustrated at right. New knowledge is generated through basic research supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF, a NEHRP agency), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, a NEHRP agency), and others. Applied R&D conducted by NIST, USGS, and others transforms this fundamental knowledge into methods, tools, and guidance that are of practical use. Dissemination of these resources to earthquake engineering practitioners is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, a NEHRP agency) and other NEHRP agencies, by seismic code and standards developers, and by influential experts in industry and academia."

  National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2012-12
• Potential Duration of the Aftershocks of the 2020 Southwestern Puerto Rico Earthquake

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  From the Abstract: "Aftershocks (earthquakes clustered spatially and chronologically near the occurrence of a causative earthquake) are ongoing in southwestern Puerto Rico after a series of earthquakes, which include a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that occurred near Barrio Indios, Guayanilla, on January 7, 2020, and affected the surrounding area. This report estimates the expected duration of these aftershocks by incorporating observations of aftershocks as of January 17, 2020, into a well-established statistical model of how earthquake sequences behave. Aftershocks will persist for years to decades, although with decreasing frequency, and earthquakes will likely be felt on a daily basis for up to several months. [...] The aftershocks discussed in this report would be located in the same general area as the aftershocks that have already occurred. Our results do not imply a change in the risk of earthquakes in other parts of Puerto Rico."

  Geological Survey (U.S.); United States. Department of the Interior

  Michael, A. J. (Andrew Jay); van der Elst, Nicholas J.; Hardebeck, Jeanne

  2020
• Potential Effects of a Scenario Earthquake on the Economy of Southern California: Labor Market Exposure and Sensitivity Analysis to a Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake

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  "The analysis is inspired by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report that analyzed the labor market losses (exposure) of a M6.9 earthquake on the Hayward fault by overlaying geocoded labor market data on Instrumental Intensity values. The method used here is influenced by the ZIP-code-level data provided by the California Employment Development Department (CA EDD), which requires the assignment of Instrumental Intensities to ZIP codes. The ZIP-code-level labor market data includes the number of business establishments, employees, and quarterly payroll categorized by the North American Industry Classification System. According to the analysis results, nearly 225,000 business establishments, or 44 percent of all establishments, would experience Instrumental Intensities between VII (7) and X (10). This represents more than 4 million employees earning over $45 billion in quarterly payroll. Over 57,000 of these establishments, employing over 1 million employees earning over $10 billion in quarterly payroll, would experience Instrumental Intensities of IX (9) or X (10). Based upon absolute counts and percentages, the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Super Sector and the Manufacturing Super Sector are estimated to have the greatest exposure and sensitivity respectively. The Information and the Natural Resources and Mining Super Sectors are estimated to be the least impacted. Areas estimated to experience an Instrumental Intensity of X (10) account for approximately 3 percent of the region's labor market." Figures (1-15) and Tables (1-7) illustrate industry data and effects on payroll of the labor market Southern California.

  Geological Survey (U.S.); United States. Department of the Interior

  Wein, Anne M.; Sherrouse, Benson C.; Hester, D. J. (David J.)

  2008
• Catalog of Earthquake Hypocenters at Alaskan Volcanoes: January 1 through December 31, 2009

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  "Between January 1 and December 31, 2009, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) located 8,829 earthquakes, of which 7,438 occurred within 20 kilometers of the 33 volcanoes with seismograph subnetworks. Monitoring highlights in 2009 include the eruption of Redoubt Volcano, as well as unrest at Okmok Caldera, Shishaldin Volcano, and Mount Veniaminof. Additionally severe seismograph subnetwork outages resulted in four volcanoes (Aniakchak, Fourpeaked, Korovin, and Veniaminof) being removed from the formal list of monitored volcanoes in late 2009. This catalog includes descriptions of: (1) locations of seismic instrumentation deployed during 2009; (2) earthquake detection, recording, analysis, and data archival systems; (3) seismic velocity models used for earthquake locations; (4) a summary of earthquakes located in 2009; and (5) an accompanying UNIX tar-file with a summary of earthquake origin times, hypocenters, magnitudes, phase arrival times, location quality statistics, daily station usage statistics, all files used to determine the earthquake locations in 2009, and a dataless SEED volume for the AVO seismograph network."

  United States. Department of the Interior; Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Power, John A.; Dixon, James P. (James Patrick), 1962-; Stihler, Scott D.

  2010
• Effectiveness of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

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  "The Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (ACEHR) was established in 2004 as part of the reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) (Public Law 108-360). ACEHR's members are non-Federal employees serving three-year terms from research and academic institutions, earthquake-related professions, and state and local governments. We are charged with assessing trends and developments in the science and engineering of earthquake hazards reduction; the effectiveness of NEHRP in performing its statutory activities and any need to revise NEHRP; and the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of NEHRP. This report is provided to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) who serves as the Director of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (referred to in this report as the 'ICC')2. Its recommendations are also directed to the NEHRP Secretariat and the four NEHRP agencies--the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), NIST, National Science Foundation (NSF), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The report is structured to reflect on the Program's achievements and challenges since its inception in 1977, new trends and developments in the science and engineering of earthquake hazards reduction, and concerns about the future of NEHRP. Two critical and overarching needs for NEHRP's future are then discussed, followed by a series of programmatic and agency-specific assessments and recommendations."

  National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2017-09-11
• National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP): Issues in Brief

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  "Portions of all 50 states and the District of Columbia are vulnerable to earthquake hazards, although risks vary greatly across the country and within individual states. Seismic hazards are greatest in the western United States, particularly in California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska,and Hawaii. Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state, experiencing a magnitude-7 earthquake almost every year and a magnitude-8 earthquake every 13 years, on average, since 1900. Because of its low population and low infrastructure density, Alaska has a relatively low risk for large economic losses from an earthquake. In contrast, California has more earthquake risk than any other state because of its frequent seismic activity, large population, and extensive infrastructure."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2018-09-20
• Japan Earthquake & Tsunami and What They Mean for the U.S.

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  "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the multi-agency National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) joins with the rest of the United States and indeed the rest of the world in expressing our concern to the Japanese people as they recover from their historic magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected by this ongoing tragedy. Immediately after the earthquake, NOAA's [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center both issued tsunami warnings for Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast, Alaska and the island territories in the Pacific. Fortunately, the tsunami generated by this earthquake which hit Hawaii and the West Coast caused relatively minor damage that was generally limited to beach front and harbor facilities. However, past tsunamis have been far worse, and the caution shown by Federal, State and local officials was certainly warranted. One only has to look back to 1960, when an earthquake in Chile resulted in a 35 ft tsunami in Hilo, Hawaii that killed 61 people to see that their caution was justified." This document details what happened in Japan on March 11, 2011 and what we can do in the U.S. to increase our individual and community resilience from an earthquake and/or tsunami event. This also includes recommended FEMA publications and useful web links for additional resources.

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  Mahoney, Michael

  2011-03-17
• Using Hazus to Assess Alternative Futures and Earthquake Scenarios for Haiti

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  "Using the Geographic Information System (GIS)-based methodology developed by Hansen and Bausch in 2006, a Hazus Haiti study region was developed in the immediate weeks following the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake. Before the earthquake, Haiti lacked adequate GIS datasets to support detailed loss estimation. But with the combined efforts of the GIS and earthquake research communities, Haiti rapidly became a data rich environment. Enhancement of the original methodology for Haiti included the development of grid sizes of 10 km, and 1 km that represent rural and urban environments. 'Shantytown' areas with their unique building stock, and very high population densities, were also defined using pre-event data from the United Nations. A new treatment for 'urban' or high population density grids (1 km) where the team assigns the majority of non-residential building occupancy types was developed for Haiti. After setting up the study region, calibration runs were performed by comparing modeled and observed losses of the earthquake, and iteratively adjusting building distribution schemes, as well as the Hazus casualty analysis parameters. The USGS developed additional ShakeMap scenarios representing credible earthquakes based on those that destroyed Port-au-Prince at least twice in the 1700's. These were formatted for use in the Hazus Haiti study region and allowed the assessment of potential alternative futures for Haiti based on proposed seismic design levels and credible future earthquake scenarios."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  Bausch, Doug; Hansen, Rich; McNabb, Sean

  2010
• Earthquake Resistant Construction of Gas and Liquid Fuel Pipeline Systems Serving, or Regulated by, the Federal Government

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  "The vulnerability of gas and liquid fuel pipeline systems to damage in past earthquakes, as well as available standards and technologies that can protect these facilities against earthquake damage are reviewed. An overview is presented of measures taken by various Federal Agencies to protect pipeline systems under their jurisdiction against earthquake hazards. It is concluded that the overall performance of pipeline systems in past earthquakes was relatively good, however, older pipelines and above-ground storage tanks were damaged in many earthquakes. Modern, welded steel pipelines performed well, however, damage occurred in areas of major ground displacements. Available standards and regulations for gas pipelines do not contain seismic provisions. Standards and regulations for liquid fuel pipelines contain only general references to seismic loads. Standards and regulations for above-ground fuel storage tanks and for liquefied natural gas facilities contain explicit seismic design provisions. It is recommended that a guideline for earthquake resistant design of gas and liquid fuel pipeline systems be prepared for Federal Agencies to ensure a uniform approach to the protection of these systems."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  Yokel, Felix Y.; Mathey, Robert G.

  1992-07
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program in NEHRP- Investing in a Safer Future

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  "In 1977, Congress authorized the creation of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) to improve the Nation's understanding of earthquake hazards and to mitigate their effects. Earthquakes are the most costly natural hazard faced by the United States. Twenty-five years of work by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in close cooperation with the three other NEHRP agencies, has yielded major advances in earthquake preparedness and monitoring, as well as a vastly improved understanding of earthquake hazards, processes, and effects. The USGS is poised to build on these accomplishments, helping through NEHRP to protect lives and property in the future earthquakes that are certain to strike the United States."

  United States. Department of the Interior; Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2003
• Serial No. 107-02: Life in the Subduction Zone: The Recent Nisqually Quake and Federal Efforts to Reduce Earthquake Hazards: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Research, Committee on Science, United States, House of Representatives, One Hundred and Seventh Congress, First Session, March 21, 2001

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  From the opening statement of Nick Smith: "At a little before 11 on the morning of February 28th, a large earthquake shook the Seattle, Washington, area, injuring 410 people and causing over $2 billion in damages. [...] The US Geological Survey indicates that 39 states are subject to serious earthquake risk, and 75 million people live in urban areas with moderate to high earthquake risk. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates annualized losses due to earthquakes in the U.S. at $4.4 billion. [...] In today's hearing we will hear how some of these programs had an impact before, during, and after the Nisqually earthquake, and how the lessons learned from the quake could help mitigate the effects of future quakes. In particular, I'm interested to learn about some of the new technologies-including more sensitive ground-based equipment and satellite-based sensors for monitoring fault movements-as well as efforts to provide real-time warnings or more accurate predictions of earthquakes." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Eddie Bernice Johnson, Brian Baird, John R. Filson, Priscilla P. Nelson, Stephen Palmer, M. Meghan Miller, Margaret Lawless, Valentin Shustov, and FEMA.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2001
• Science and Emergency Management of Earthquakes [Presentation]

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  This document is a presentation about the science of earthquakes and the history of major earthquakes from 1964 to 2011. It includes the following topics: Earthquake measurement; seismic waves; earthquakes and plate tectonics; earthquakes and tsunamis; history of major earthquakes, 1964 - 2011; and "Japan's Killer Quake" (PBS 2011).

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  Lane, George

  2013-01-24
• Alaska Earthquake, March 27, 1964: Lessons and Conclusions

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  "One of the greatest earthquakes of all time struck south-central Alaska on March 27, 1964. Strong motion lasted longer than for most recorded earthquakes, and more land surface was dislocated, vertically and horizontally, than by any known previous temblor. Never before were so many effects on earth processes and on the works of man available for study by scientists and engineers over so great an area. The seismic vibrations, which directly or indirectly caused most of the damage, were but surface manifestations of a great geologic event-the dislocation of a huge segment of the crust along a deeply buried fault whose nature and even exact location are still subjects for speculation. Not only was the land surface tilted by the great tectonic event beneath it, with resultant seismic sea waves that traversed the entire Pacific, but an enormous mass of land and sea floor moved several tens of feet horizontally toward the Gulf of Alaska. Downslope mass movements of rock, earth, and snow were initiated. Subaqueous slides along lake shores and seacoasts, near-horizontal movements of mobilized soil ('landspreading'), and giant translatory slides in sensitive clay did the most damage and provided the most new knowledge as to the origin, mechanics, and possible means of control or avoidance of such movements. The slopes of most of the deltas that slid in 1964, and that produced destructive local waves, are still as steep or steeper than they were before the earthquake and hence would be unstable or metastable in the event of another great earthquake. Rockslide avalanches provided new evidence that such masses may travel on cushions of compressed air, but a widely held theory that glaciers surge after an earthquake has not been substantiated. Innumerable ground fissures, many of them marked by copious emissions of water, caused much damage in towns and along transportation routes. Vibration also consolidated loose granular materials. In some coastal areas, local subsidence was superimposed on regional tectonic subsidence to heighten the flooding damage. Ground and surface waters were measurably affected by the earthquake, not only in Alaska but throughout the world."

  Geological Survey (U.S.); United States. Department of the Interior

  Eckel, Edwin Butt, 1906-1989

  1970
• Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, on Air and Water Transport, Communications, and Utilities Systems in South-Central Alaska

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  "The earthquake of March 27, 1964, wrecked or severely hampered all forms of transportation, all utilities, and all communications systems over a very large part of south-central Alaska. Effects on air transportation were minor as compared to those on the water, highway, and railroad transport systems. A few planes were damaged or wrecked by seismic vibration or by flooding. Numerous airport facilities were damaged by vibration or by secondary effects of the earthquake, notably seismic sea and landslide-generated waves, tectonic subsidence, and compaction. Nearly all air facilities were partly or wholly operational within a few hours after the earthquake." The earthquake inflicted enormous damage on the shipping industry, which is indispensable to a State that imports fully 90 percent of its requirements-mostly by water-and whose largest single industry is fishing. Except for those of Anchorage, all port facilities in the earthquake-affected area were destroyed or made inoperable by submarine slides, waves, tectonic uplift, and fire. No large vessels were lost, but more than 200 smaller ones (mostly crab or salmon boats) were lost or severely damaged. Navigation aids were destroyed, and hitherto well-known waterways were greatly altered by uplift or subsidence. All these effects wrought far-reaching changes in the shipping economy of Alaska, many of them to its betterment. Virtually all utilities and communications in south-central Alaska were damaged or wrecked by the earthquake, but temporary repairs were effected in remarkably short times. Communications systems were silenced almost everywhere by loss of power or by downed lines; their place was quickly taken by a patchwork of self-powered radio transmitters. A complex power-generating system that served much of the stricken area from steam, diesel, and hydrogenerating plants was disrupted in many places by vibration damage to equipment and by broken transmission lines. Landslides in Anchorage broke gas-distribution lines in many places, but the main transmission line from the Kenai Peninsula was virtually undamaged. Petroleum supplies were disrupted, principally by breakage or loss of storage tanks caused by seismic vibration, slides, waves, and fire. Water-supply and sewer lines were also broken in many towns."

  Geological Survey (U.S.); United States. Department of the Interior

  Eckel, Edwin Butt, 1906-1989

  1967
• Erosion and Deposition on a Beach Raised by the 1964 Earthquake Montague Island, Alaska

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  "On March 27, 1964, an earthquake shook parts of Alaska and caused great devastation in inhabited areas. However, maximum uplift took place, and large bedrock faults were active, on Montague Island, an uninhabited island off the southern coast of Alaska. The southern end of Montague Island was uplifted as much as 33 feet or more during the earthquake (fig. 1), and two active faults several miles long caused many landslides and broke or displaced many hundreds of trees (Plafker, 1967). Around the coast, marine deposits and a marine-abraded bedrock platform were lifted above sea level and exposed to subaerial processes. The uplift associated with the earthquake has provided physio-graphic conditions on a scale much larger than could be simulated in a laboratory and with the added advantage that the features and changes were natural. The bay-head deposits of MacLeod Harbor (figs. 1, 2) on the northwest coast of the island provided an undissected surface, about 1 square mile in area and with a slope of only 20', which had been suddenly uplifted 33 feet. On this surface, consequent drainage channels were init.iated and were rapidly eroded vertically and laterally; thus, a unique opportunity was provided to study the effects of rapid uplift on the mode and rate of fluvial processes and the resultant valley forms and long profiles. The earthquake also brought to view a bedrock platform and associated deposits, which allowed observation and measurement of features that are usually under water and therefore difficult to study.On both sides of the island the amount of subaerial modification of the 1964 raised beach could be measured. Especially important was the opportunity to study the area only 15 months after the earthquake. In the MacLeod Harbor area, rivers in soft sediments have adjusted so swiftly that evidence of the post-earthquake history of the area will soon be removed by erosion. Subaerial degradation of the raised beaches and abandoned seadiffs is so rapid that within a few years little of the original marine form will be left unchanged, and the growth of vegetation, which has already begun on the beach, will hasten its obliteration."

  Geological Survey (U.S.); United States. Department of the Interior

  Kirkby, M. J.; Kirkby, Anne V. T. (Anne Veronica Tennant), 1942-

  1969
• Hydrologic Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, Outside Alaska

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  "The Alaska earthquake of March 27, 1964, had widespread hydrologic effects throughout practically all of the United States. More than 1,450 water-level recorders, scattered throughout all the 50 States except Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island, registered the earthquake. Half of the water-level records were obtained from ground-water observation wells and half at surface-water gaging stations. The earthquake is also known to have registered on water-level recorders on wells in Canada, England, Denmark, Belgium, Egypt, Israel, Libya, Philippine Islands, South-West Africa, South Africa, and Northern Territory of Australia. The Alaska earthquake is the first for which widespread surface-water effects are known. The effects were recorded at stations on flowing streams, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. The 755 surface-water stations recording effects are spread through 38 States, but are most numerous in the south-central and southeastern States, especially in Florida and Louisiana. Most of the fluctuations recorded can be referred to more precisely as seismic seiches; however, a few stations recorded the quake as a minor change in stage. The largest recorded seiche outside Alaska was 1.83 feet on a reservoir in Michigan. The next largest was 1.45 feet on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas. The largest fluctuation in a well was 23 feet registered by a pressure recorder near Belle Fourche, S. Dak. Fluctuations of more than 10 feet were reported from wells in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. A 3.40-foot fluctuation was recorded in a well in Puerto Rico. The Alaska earthquake was registered by about seven times as many water-level recorders as recorded the Hebgen Lake, Mont., earthquake of August 19, 1959."

  United States. Department of the Interior; Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Rexin, Elmer E.; Vorhis, Robert C. (Robert Corson), 1917-; Coble, Ronald W. (Ronald Wimmer)

  1966
• FEMA Mitigation Best Practices: Hospitals Get a Jolt of Reality with Hazus-MH Earthquake Analysis Results

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  "After an earthquake, injured victims will look for help at local hospitals, but will the hospitals be in shape to offer assistance? In Southern California, hospitals are getting prepared for a 'big one' with a system that uses GIS [geographic information system] technology to estimate hospital building damage and related effects on hospital services. In March 2009, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties completed a two-year study that analyzes economic loss; population impact; and damage to essential facilities including fire and police stations, hospitals, and schools. The study utilized Hazus-MH [multi-hazards] - loss estimation software based on GIS technology-to calculate estimated physical damage and functional loss from earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Two earthquake scenarios provided local decision makers with a more complete understanding of the impact these disasters would have. Area hospital groups were especially interested in using the analysis results to get a better view of which hospital facilities might be damaged and how many and where acute care beds would be available. 'Forewarned is to be forearmed,' said Christina Bivona-Tellez, regional vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California. 'If we are left standing, do we have the capacity to protect and save lives? Both Riverside and San Bernardino counties are sitting on the San Andreas Fault, and we are overdue for an earthquake.' The probability of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake striking the greater Los Angeles area over the next 30 years is 67 percent according to the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency