NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Assessing Earthquake Hazards and Reducing Risk in the Pacific Northwest. Volume 2.
- File
- PB2002102615.pdf
- Author(s)
- Rogers, A. M.; Walsh, T. J.; Kockelman, W. J.; Priest, G. R.
- Source
- January 1998, 244 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- USGS-PP-1560
- Abstract
- The articles in the Earthquake Hazards section of the professional paper discuss ground-shaking and ground-failure hazards and the estimation of losses associated with these hazards. Ground shaking and ground failure are the major factors in loss of life and property during earthquakes. The delineation of these hazards by mapping and site-specific prediction techniques is an important step in the process of reducing the effects of earthquakes. Ground-shaking and ground-failure maps, for example, can be valuable in land-use-policy development, siting or relocation of local government emergency facilities, and urban-renewal decisions. Furthermore, hazard maps can aid in the design and siting of lifelines and ordinary structures and in emergency planning and response, each requiring advance information about the likelihood of earthquake damage to infrastructure. Estimates of the magnitude of economic losses and mortality during future earthquakes are also partly based on hazard maps. Loss estimates are not only useful in planning for earthquakes but also serve decision makers in establishing preventive actions and determining the rate at which resources should be expended to reduce earthquake effects.
- Keywords
- ; Risk assessment; Geologic faults; Emergency preparedness; Tectonics; Pacific northwest region (United States); Landslides; Seismology; Disasters; Ground motion; Hazards; Risk reduction; Seismic effects; Earthquakes