Why do earthquakes in other countries seem to cause more damage and casualties than earthquakes in the U.S.?
There is more damage and more deaths from earthquakes in other parts of the world primarily because of buildings which are poorly designed and constructed for earthquake regions, and population density.
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Seismicity of the Earth 1900–2018
This map illustrates 119 years of global seismicity in the context of global plate tectonics and the Earth’s physiography. Primarily designed for use by earth scientists, engineers, and educators, this map provides a comprehensive overview of strong (magnitude [M] 5.5 and larger) earthquakes since 1900. The map clearly identifies the locations of...
Hayes, Gavin P.; Smoczyk, Gregory M.; Villaseñor, Antonio H.; Furlong, Kevin P.; Benz, Harley M.
Using structural damage statistics to derive macroseismic intensity within the Kathmandu valley for the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake
We make and analyze structural damage observations from within the Kathmandu valley following the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake to derive macroseismic intensities at several locations including some located near ground motion recording sites. The macroseismic intensity estimates supplement the limited strong ground motion data in order to...
McGowan, Sean; Jaiswal, Kishor; Wald, David J.
Assessment of existing and potential landslide hazards resulting from the April 25, 2015 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake sequence
Introduction On April 25, 2015, a large (M7.8) earthquake shook much of central Nepal and was followed by a series of M>6 aftershocks, including a M7.3 event on May 12, 2015. This earthquake and aftershocks, referred to as the “Gorkha earthquake sequence,” caused thousands of fatalities, damaged and destroyed entire villages, and...
Collins, Brian D.; Jibson, Randall W. Strong ground motion in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during the M7.0 12 January 2010 Haiti earthquake
No strong motion records are available for the 12 January 2010 M7.0 Haiti earthquake. We use aftershock recordings as well as detailed considerations of damage to estimate the severity and distribution of mainshock shaking in Port-au-Prince. Relative to ground motions at a hard - rock reference site, peak accelerations are amplified by a factor of...
Hough, Susan E; Given, Doug; Taniguchi, Tomoyo; Altidor, J.R.; Anglade, Dieuseul; Mildor, S-L.
Putting down roots in earthquake country-Your handbook for earthquakes in the Central United States
This handbook provides information to residents of the Central United States about the threat of earthquakes in that area, particularly along the New Madrid seismic zone, and explains how to prepare for, survive, and recover from such events. It explains the need for concern about earthquakes for those residents and describes what one can expect...
Contributors: Dart, Richard; McCarthy, Jill; McCallister, Natasha; Williams, Robert A. Long-period building response to earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay Area
This article reports a study of modeled, long-period building responses to ground-motion simulations of earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay Area. The earthquakes include the 1989 magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake, a magnitude 7.8 simulation of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and two hypothetical magnitude 7.8 northern San Andreas fault...
Olsen, A.H.; Aagaard, Brad T.; Heaton, T.H.
Putting down roots in earthquake country: Your handbook for the San Francisco Bay region
This handbook provides information about the threat posed by earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay region and explains how you can prepare for, survive, and recover from these inevitable events. If you live or work in the region, you need to know why you should be concerned with earthquakes, what you can expect during and after a quake, and what...
The severity of an earthquake
The severity of an earthquake can be expressed in terms of both intensity and magnitude. However, the two terms are quite different, and they are often confused. Intensity is based on the observed effects of ground shaking on people, buildings, and natural features. It varies from place to place within the disturbed region depending on the...
Earthquake damage to transportation systems
Earthquakes represent one of the most destructive natural hazards known to man. A large magnitude earthquake near a populated area can affect residents over thousands of square kilometers and cause billions of dollars in property damage. Such an event can kill or injure thousands of residents and disrupt the socioeconomic environment for months...
McCullough, Heather Earthquake damage to schools
These unusual slides show earthquake damage to school and university buildings around the world. They graphically illustrate the potential danger to our schools, and to the welfare of our children, that results from major earthquakes. The slides range from Algeria, where a collapsed school roof is held up only by students' desks; to Anchorage,...
McCullough, Heather
South Napa Earthquake – One Year Later
One year ago, the largest earthquake in over 25 years hit the San Francisco Bay Area, causing significant damage in California’s famous Napa Valley. The magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred early in the morning on August 24, 2014, on the West Napa Fault.
6 Facts about Human-Caused Earthquakes
The central United States has undergone a dramatic increase in seismicity over the past 6 years. From 1973-2008, there was an average of 24 earthquakes of magnitude 3 and larger per year.
20 Years After Northridge Quake, Buildings Remain Vulnerable
Twenty years ago this week an earthquake struck Northridge, Calif., killing 57 people and revealing a serious defect in a common type of mid-rise building. A new study by U.S. Geological Survey and Caltech engineers, shows that these mid-rise buildings with fracture-prone welds in their steel frames are much more dangerous than they would be if they met current standards.
Haiti Dominates Earthquake Fatalities in 2010
While the U.S. Geological Survey recorded 22 magnitude-7 or larger earthquakes in 2010, almost all the fatalities were produced by one — the major quake that hit Haiti on Jan. 12.
In 2010, about 227,000 people were killed due to earthquakes, with over 222,570 from the magnitude-7.0 Haiti event, as reported by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
USGS Updates Assessment of Earthquake Hazard and Safety in Haiti and the Caribbean
RESTON, Va. — The threat of additional damaging earthquakes in Haiti will remain for the next year.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued an update to its Jan. 21, 2010, statement, which includes the aftershock probabilities for the next 30-to-90-day period and for the overall year.
Map of Western Hemisphere Indicates Location of Potential Earthquake Damage
BOSTON -- A new ground shaking hazard map of the Western Hemisphere will show regions of potential earthquake damage, providing a useful global seismic hazard tool for government, industry and the general public.
Large Earthquakes Are Hazards to be Reckoned With in Hawaii; Could Affect Building Codes, According to USGS Researcher
The term "geologic hazards" in Hawaii generally means volcanic eruptions and lava flows. A hazard that might not come to mind is the possibility of earthquakes, as large as magnitude-eight, under the flanks of the active volcanoes, according to Fred Klein, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Calif.
Damage to Monuments in Nepal
Major damage was more likely to monuments in Kathmandu, Nepal than more modern structures.
USGS Rapid Response to Haiti
Collapsed multi-story residence in Port-au-Prince following the magnitude-7 earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. The weight of heavy concrete floors and roofs was often too great for the modest strength in support columns, as evidenced here.
USGS Rapid Response to Haiti
Collapsed multi-story building occupied by "Centre D'Edudes La Concorde" in Port-au-Prince, a result of the magnitude-7 earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. An examination of the adjacent buildings indicates that this structure was either two or three stories tall. Interviews with eye-witnesses confirm that most structures collapsed within ten or slightly more
...
Damage from 2008 Great Sichuan Earthquake in China
The May 12, 2008, Great Sichuan Earthquake, also called the Wenchuan Earthquake, occurred at 14:28 local time, in Sichuan Province, China. The earthquake magnitudes were Mw = 7.9 (USGS), Ms = 8.0 (Chinese Earthquake Administration). The epicenter was 80 km west-northwest of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province. Damage by earthquake-induced landslides was
...
Northridge, CA Earthquake Damage
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
1906 San Francisco Earthquake - Damage with Family in Foreground
Composite photo of 1906 damaged buildings and modern family in foreground
Villagers in Kerauja, Nepal standing below a large rock slide
Villagers in Kerauja, Nepal standing below a large rock slide that resulted in one fatality.