NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Fire Ignitions from the Whittier Narrows Earthquake of October 1, 1987.
- File
- PB89148035.pdf
- Author(s)
- Wiggins, J. H.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Directorate for Engineering., November 8, 1988, 63 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- REPT-2020.1
- Abstract
- The purpose of the investigation was to examine the fire ignitions that took place as a result of the Whittier Narrows earthquake and determine ignition rates as a function of Modified Mercalli Intensity. Using this information and a complex fire modeling algorithm, the potential for conflagration can be developed. The objectives of the study were to: (1) count the number of ignitions; (2) describe them as to intensity region and location about the epicenter; and (3) identify the sources of the ignitions, such as electrical, gas, or flammable liquid spills.
- Keywords
- Sources; Intensity; California; Forecasting; Whittier (California); Mathematical models; Los Angeles County (California); Conflagration; Fires; Graphs (Charts); Statistical data; Ignition; Earthquakes