When soil behaves like a liquid it can lose its ability to support structures. The soil can even flow down very gentle slopes, and erupt to the ground surface to form sand boils (“sand volcanoes”).
How are engineers working to make roads and buildings safer?
Earthquake engineers are working to make roads and buildings safer in the event of major earthquakes. This includes both improving the design of new buildings and bridges as well as strengthening older units to incorporate the latest advances in seismic and structural engineering. The Federal Emergency Management Agency plays a central role in funding research and development for the purpose of mitigating the effects of earthquakes.
Learn more:
Related
What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used? What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used?
Seismic hazard is the hazard associated with potential earthquakes in a particular area, and a seismic hazard map shows the relative hazards in different areas. The maps are made by considering what we currently know about: Past faults and earthquakes The behavior of seismic waves as they travel through different parts of the U.S. crust The near-surface site conditions at specific locations of...
What is a seismic zone, or seismic hazard zone? What is a seismic zone, or seismic hazard zone?
Although you may hear the terms “seismic zone” and “seismic hazard zone” used interchangeably, they really describe two slightly different things. A seismic zone is used to describe an area where earthquakes tend to focus; for example, the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the Central United States. A seismic hazard zone describes an area with a particular level of hazard due to earthquakes. Typically, a...
What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live? What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live?
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property? How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property?
Published maps will only provide generalized, uninterpreted information about specific areas. Every property consists of a unique combination of geologic and structural factors that must be considered to determine what might happen to a house during an earthquake. Therefore, an individual site study is necessary. Geologic factors include: type of underlying material, depth to bedrock, depth of...
How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance? How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance?
You should consider the following factors when deciding whether or not to get earthquake insurance: proximity to active earthquake faults seismic history of the region (frequency of earthquakes) time since last earthquake building construction (type of building and foundation) architectural layout materials used quality of workmanship extent to which earthquake resistance was considered by the...
How do earthquakes affect buildings? How do earthquakes affect buildings?
Ground shaking is the primary cause of earthquake damage to man-made structures. Many factors influence the strength of earthquake shaking at a site including the earthquake's magnitude, the site's proximity to the fault, the local geology, and the soil type. More than 250 structures throughout the United States have been outfitted with seismic sensors by the USGS National Strong Motion Project...
Liquefaction
When soil behaves like a liquid it can lose its ability to support structures. The soil can even flow down very gentle slopes, and erupt to the ground surface to form sand boils (“sand volcanoes”).
Palu Earthquake Damage to House from Liquefaction
House destroyed by Palu earthquake-induced liquefaction. Note standing water which indicates a nearly surface-level water table that contributed to the widespread liquefaction.
House destroyed by Palu earthquake-induced liquefaction. Note standing water which indicates a nearly surface-level water table that contributed to the widespread liquefaction.
2014 South Napa CA M6 Earthquake - August 24
Driveway buckling across secondary fault strand at Browns Valley Rd.
Driveway buckling across secondary fault strand at Browns Valley Rd.
2014 South Napa CA M6 Earthquake - August 24
Right lateral offset of Browns Valley Rd. centerline, on a secondary fault strand.
Right lateral offset of Browns Valley Rd. centerline, on a secondary fault strand.
Earthquake-damaged building
Building damanged by the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Building damanged by the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Schematic of Atwood array and boreholes
The Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) structural monitoring system in the 20- story Atwood Building is one of the most sophisticated systems in the country. Sensors are deployed on the parking and street levels, the electrical and mechanical levels, the roof level, and the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, and 19th floors.
The Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) structural monitoring system in the 20- story Atwood Building is one of the most sophisticated systems in the country. Sensors are deployed on the parking and street levels, the electrical and mechanical levels, the roof level, and the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, and 19th floors.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Damaged Building
A downtown building at the corner of Alice and 13th Streets lost part of its unreinforced facade and brick masonry.
A downtown building at the corner of Alice and 13th Streets lost part of its unreinforced facade and brick masonry.
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquake
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquakeView of damage to the Mt. McKinley Apartments in Anchorage, Alaska caused by the March 27, 1964 earthquake. Image includes automobiles, people, and power lines. Yellow sign on building reads fallout shelter. Sign on building reads Blue mirror bar lounge. Sign on building, lower right, reads Physicians optical guild opticans.
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquake
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquakeView of damage to the Mt. McKinley Apartments in Anchorage, Alaska caused by the March 27, 1964 earthquake. Image includes automobiles, people, and power lines. Yellow sign on building reads fallout shelter. Sign on building reads Blue mirror bar lounge. Sign on building, lower right, reads Physicians optical guild opticans.
Related
What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used? What is seismic hazard? What is a seismic hazard map and how are they used?
Seismic hazard is the hazard associated with potential earthquakes in a particular area, and a seismic hazard map shows the relative hazards in different areas. The maps are made by considering what we currently know about: Past faults and earthquakes The behavior of seismic waves as they travel through different parts of the U.S. crust The near-surface site conditions at specific locations of...
What is a seismic zone, or seismic hazard zone? What is a seismic zone, or seismic hazard zone?
Although you may hear the terms “seismic zone” and “seismic hazard zone” used interchangeably, they really describe two slightly different things. A seismic zone is used to describe an area where earthquakes tend to focus; for example, the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the Central United States. A seismic hazard zone describes an area with a particular level of hazard due to earthquakes. Typically, a...
What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live? What are the earthquake hazards/risks where I live?
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property? How will my house hold up in an earthquake? Can the USGS send someone out to evaluate my property?
Published maps will only provide generalized, uninterpreted information about specific areas. Every property consists of a unique combination of geologic and structural factors that must be considered to determine what might happen to a house during an earthquake. Therefore, an individual site study is necessary. Geologic factors include: type of underlying material, depth to bedrock, depth of...
How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance? How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance?
You should consider the following factors when deciding whether or not to get earthquake insurance: proximity to active earthquake faults seismic history of the region (frequency of earthquakes) time since last earthquake building construction (type of building and foundation) architectural layout materials used quality of workmanship extent to which earthquake resistance was considered by the...
How do earthquakes affect buildings? How do earthquakes affect buildings?
Ground shaking is the primary cause of earthquake damage to man-made structures. Many factors influence the strength of earthquake shaking at a site including the earthquake's magnitude, the site's proximity to the fault, the local geology, and the soil type. More than 250 structures throughout the United States have been outfitted with seismic sensors by the USGS National Strong Motion Project...
Liquefaction
When soil behaves like a liquid it can lose its ability to support structures. The soil can even flow down very gentle slopes, and erupt to the ground surface to form sand boils (“sand volcanoes”).
When soil behaves like a liquid it can lose its ability to support structures. The soil can even flow down very gentle slopes, and erupt to the ground surface to form sand boils (“sand volcanoes”).
Palu Earthquake Damage to House from Liquefaction
House destroyed by Palu earthquake-induced liquefaction. Note standing water which indicates a nearly surface-level water table that contributed to the widespread liquefaction.
House destroyed by Palu earthquake-induced liquefaction. Note standing water which indicates a nearly surface-level water table that contributed to the widespread liquefaction.
2014 South Napa CA M6 Earthquake - August 24
Driveway buckling across secondary fault strand at Browns Valley Rd.
Driveway buckling across secondary fault strand at Browns Valley Rd.
2014 South Napa CA M6 Earthquake - August 24
Right lateral offset of Browns Valley Rd. centerline, on a secondary fault strand.
Right lateral offset of Browns Valley Rd. centerline, on a secondary fault strand.
Earthquake-damaged building
Building damanged by the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Building damanged by the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Schematic of Atwood array and boreholes
The Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) structural monitoring system in the 20- story Atwood Building is one of the most sophisticated systems in the country. Sensors are deployed on the parking and street levels, the electrical and mechanical levels, the roof level, and the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, and 19th floors.
The Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) structural monitoring system in the 20- story Atwood Building is one of the most sophisticated systems in the country. Sensors are deployed on the parking and street levels, the electrical and mechanical levels, the roof level, and the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, and 19th floors.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Damaged Building
A downtown building at the corner of Alice and 13th Streets lost part of its unreinforced facade and brick masonry.
A downtown building at the corner of Alice and 13th Streets lost part of its unreinforced facade and brick masonry.
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquake
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquakeView of damage to the Mt. McKinley Apartments in Anchorage, Alaska caused by the March 27, 1964 earthquake. Image includes automobiles, people, and power lines. Yellow sign on building reads fallout shelter. Sign on building reads Blue mirror bar lounge. Sign on building, lower right, reads Physicians optical guild opticans.
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquake
Damage to Mt. McKinley apartments caused by 1964 earthquakeView of damage to the Mt. McKinley Apartments in Anchorage, Alaska caused by the March 27, 1964 earthquake. Image includes automobiles, people, and power lines. Yellow sign on building reads fallout shelter. Sign on building reads Blue mirror bar lounge. Sign on building, lower right, reads Physicians optical guild opticans.
Updated Date: July 25, 2025