Latest news with #Nisqually
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Pacific Northwest city where more than a THOUSAND buildings could crumble if earthquake strikes
Seattle has identified more than 1,100 buildings within its city limits that could collapse if an earthquake were to strike. The 1,117 buildings in the city that need immediate structural enhancements were given three classifications of earthquake vulnerability, ranging from 'medium' (72 percent of them), 'high' (18 percent), and 'critical' (10 percent). Data shows that schools make up 66 percent of the most vulnerable buildings labeled 'critical', often because they were built in the late 19th century or early 20th century. The terrifying possibility of hundreds of buildings crumbling is being examined because Tuesday marked the 60-year anniversary since a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit western Washington in 1965. Three people in the Pioneer Square neighborhood were killed by falling debris, while four more people died from heart attacks linked to the earthquake. The Nisqually earthquake in February 2001 measured a 6.8 on the Richter scale and killed one person while causing even more damage than the quake 36 years earlier. Seattle is in a seismically active area known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and a flurry of earthquakes in recent months has experts worried a major event could be on its way. That's why Amanda Hertzfeld, the program director for Seattle's Department of Construction and Inspections, is sounding the alarm before the worst happens. Hertzfeld explained to KOMO News that the more than 1,100 buildings marked as vulnerable 'need to be retrofitted in order to be safer in an earthquake.' A retrofit involves using steel to connect the roof to the walls and the walls to the floors. Japan, one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, uses steel skeletons in its skyscrapers to add flexibility to rigid concrete that breaks apart during tremors. Seattle has the same problem but is behind on fixing it. Although newer buildings must be constructed to be 20 to 25 percent stronger than previous standards, many older buildings are made of brick or concrete blocks and are not reinforced with rebar or steel beams. 'Essentially, what an earthquake retrofit is is connecting the knee bone to the leg bone. It is connecting the building components together so in an earthquake, they don't separate and the building doesn't collapse,' Hertzfeld said. The data the city provided includes a trove of information on the buildings they want to reinforce, including their addresses, the year they were built and how many stories they are. 'Certainly, Pioneer Square has the largest density of unreinforced masonry buildings in the city, but they are spread all throughout. So we have a number of them in Columbia City in the EU District, Old Ballard, essentially any of the quaint, charming, historic neighborhoods have URMs,' Hertzfeld said. When asked if safety instructions change depending on what type of building someone is in, Hertzfeld said no. 'No, the instructions are still drop, cover, and hold on. You know, some people will say that they would want to run out of the building, but if you look at any of the pictures of URMs after an earthquake, it's a pile of bricks on the sidewalk,' she said. 'And so if you are running out in an earthquake, you're gonna be right where that pile of bricks is. So it's still better to drop cover and hold on.' The city does not mandate retrofitting because the process is extremely expensive, but Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, an earthquake structural engineer, told KOMO that even small reinforcements can make a huge difference. Seattle has marked five buildings on the list of more than 1,100 as being retrofitted, though the city's long-term goal is to require all buildings do this. 'We know that we can't require these to be retrofitted until there's some funding sources identified. Our program is continuing to advance and exploring options,' she said, adding that some of those options included grants. Hertzfeld mentioned that the city government supports Washington state's House Bill 1810, which would make retrofits more affordable through property tax credits. The bill did not advance this year, with Washington's legislative session concluding on Sunday.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is Seattle prepared for 'the big one?' Experts weigh in
The Brief After being hit with multiple recent earthquakes in the Puget Sound area, experts are weighing in on whether Seattle is prepared for a large-scale quake. According to Seattle city data, there are about 1,100 structures susceptible to earthquake damage. SEATTLE - The Puget Sound area saw multiple recent earthquakes, including a 4.5 magnitude quake that rocked the San Juans Monday morning. Just days earlier, a 3.2 magnitude earthquake shook east King County, and a 2.9 magnitude earthquake hit near Bremerton. The recent activity comes 24 years after the Nisqually quake, which injured hundreds and caused massive damage to the Seattle area. What they're saying The 6.8 magnitude earthquake remains the costliest in America over the last three decades, and while experts say things have changed for the better, there is still a lot of work to do. "We see more earthquakes than most places in the world," said Washington state seismologist Harold Tobin. Harold Tobin is the director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network at the University of Washington. "We've made a lot of progress, for one thing, the viaduct," Tobin said. He says we're lucky the viaduct didn't crumble two decades before, during the Nisqually quake. "It [the Viaduct] was replaced by the tunnel, and that's a massive improvement. There's also seismic retrofitting that's taking place," Tobin said. Unfortunately, that's not the case for every old building in the city. According to Seattle city data, there are about 1,100 structures susceptible to earthquake damage, including schools, apartments and offices. "While we build new buildings to increased seismic safety codes, we don't have a code that requires the repair of older buildings," Tobin said. Though the recent earthquakes are getting national attention, Tobin says what's happening is not uncommon. "They are a reminder that we live in a seismically active place, and there are earthquake hazards for us, unfortunately, here in the Puget Sound area," he said. However, Monday's earthquake near Friday Harbor was the largest in the area since 2019. It was also the first one in Washington to register on the MyShake app, which was created in 2021. That notified people as soon as an earthquake happens. Tobin said if you are in an earthquake, stay where you are and look for something that you can get under to protect your head and neck. Get low to the ground, drop, cover, and hold on, he added. Tobin also told FOX 13 Seattle if you are in an earthquake, do not run outside. He said a lot of injuries happen when people are outside of structures during earthquakes due to falling debris. The Source Information in this story is from the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, United States Geological Survey and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Gov. Ferguson details $4 billion in spending cuts to address WA deficit Parents petition to remove WA substitute principal after past admissions of drug use 'Oops I did a crime': WA high school teacher charged with child porn First WA measles case of 2025 confirmed in King County infant 3.2 magnitude earthquake rocks east King County, WA To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
24 years after Nisqually quake, funding cuts put WA seismic monitoring at risk
The Brief Federal layoffs from the Trump administration are raising concerns about the future of earthquake detection systems. The funding cuts are already affecting seismic research and early warning systems in Washington state. SEATTLE, Wash. - As Washington marks the 24th anniversary of the devastating Nisqually earthquake, looming federal layoffs are raising concerns about the future of earthquake detection systems. The backstory On February 28, 2001, the magnitude 6.8 Nisqually earthquake struck the Puget Sound region, causing widespread damage and injuring hundreds. The quake remains the costliest seismic event in the U.S. since California's 1994 Northridge earthquake. The disaster became a catalyst for technological advancements like the ShakeAlert system, an early warning system that detects earthquakes and alerts residents before shaking reaches their location. Harold Tobin, a Washington state seismologist, says the quake was a big part of the motivation to expand the seismic network. "Now we operate a much bigger, much more sophisticated monitoring system for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions than we did back in 2001," Tobin said. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN), based at the University of Washington, has been at the forefront of earthquake monitoring for decades. "We have seismic stations, seismometers running all over Washington and Oregon, and for this part of the country, we are the sort of authoritative network that detects earthquakes," Tobin said. Operating 24/7, the PNSN monitors earthquakes and seismic activity in the region's volcanoes, including Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. The network also plays a key role in ShakeAlert, an earthquake early warning system developed in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). "That's the system that we can give people, you know, seconds to even up to a minute of advanced warning when shaking is starting by cell phone message, kind of like an Amber Alert," Tobin said. "When you hear about a magnitude three point whatever, at a certain location — that's us doing that work." The importance of their work was most recently noted this week with the detection of a series of small earthquakes in the region, including Bremerton on Thursday morning. But now, its future could be uncertain due to potential federal funding cuts affecting seismic research and early warning systems. Local perspective Despite these advancements, the future of earthquake monitoring is now uncertain. The Trump administration has laid off hundreds of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees nationwide, with as many as 880 jobs potentially on the chopping block. Washington is home to approximately 700 of NOAA's 12,000 employees, according to Senator Patty Murray's office. "It will be felt across the country," said Rick Spinrad, former NOAA Administrator. "It's not just the immediate weather products. It's the seasonal outlooks. Farmers are looking to have NOAA precipitation outlooks to make decisions right now about their spring planting season." Tobin says the impacts have been felt within the USGS in just the last few days as employees have lost their ability to travel; a necessity to keep field stations up and running. Work he says is critical to give people the awareness and early warnings for things like earthquakes. "Our whole systems for understanding and getting warnings about natural hazards—tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides—are coordinated by more than one government agency," Tobin said. "NOAA and the USGS in particular are really important to those activities. They fund our work here at the PNSN and make it possible for us to do the work that we do." The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) relies on federal grants to maintain its earthquake monitoring systems, and Tobin fears funding cuts could trickle down to impact their operations. "We're not part of the federal government, but we're working with them. And they fund our work here at the PNSN," Tobin said. "If there's any interruption, it won't take very long before it becomes a really major budget problem." Big picture view The uncertainty surrounding funding doesn't just affect researchers—it also threatens the education and training of the next generation of seismologists. "We are training students all the time to be the next generation of scientists, to work on this kind of stuff," Tobin said. "I have graduate students, I have postdoctoral researchers, I have undergraduates all working on things related to keeping the seismic network going. Most of that work is funded by the federal government to UW, and so that's what's at risk." Washington sits on a seismically active region, making earthquake detection and warning systems critical for public safety. "Everybody understands that's a priority," Tobin said. "It's just a matter of, do we have the resources so that we can keep doing that going into the future." NOAA also plays a key role in tsunami warning systems, GPS services, space weather monitoring, and supporting the fishing, farming, and aviation industries. More than 550 businesses and organizations have signed a coalition letter to Congress, urging lawmakers to halt the dismantling of the agency. "We fought every year to get additional people. If anything, the agency needs more highly qualified employees, not less," Spinard said. The Source Information in this story is from the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Gov. Ferguson details $4 billion in spending cuts to address WA deficit Parents petition to remove WA substitute principal after past admissions of drug use 'Oops I did a crime': WA high school teacher charged with child porn First WA measles case of 2025 confirmed in King County infant 3.2 magnitude earthquake rocks east King County, WA To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Are all these earthquakes the percursor to 'the big one?'
This story was originally posted on A series of minor earthquakes have been shaking the Pacific Northwest, with the latest tremors felt in Auburn, Bremerton, and Fall City. The quakes, including one nearly reaching a magnitude of 3.0, have prompted residents to question their significance. Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, joined 'Seattle's Morning News' with Charlie Harger Friday. 'We often experience magnitudes of 3 to 3.5, which are enough to get people's attention but not cause damage,' Tobin emphasized. 'I do not see them as showing me any sign that they're leading up to something bigger.' MyNorthwest related: Yet another earthquake, this one near Fall City Earthquake fault lines crisscross the region Tobin noted numerous fault lines, including the Seattle Fault, the Southern Whidbey Island Fault and the Tacoma Fault, crisscross the region. 'Our region is crisscrossed by many of these fault lines that sit below our feet,' he explained. However, the small size and depth of these recent quakes make linking them to specific faults challenging. 'It's hard for us to tie ones this small to any specific fault,' Tobin added. The Pacific Northwest's earthquake early warning system, ShakeAlert, successfully detected these events. 'The system is working as designed,' Tobin said. Although the system did not issue widespread alerts due to the minor quakes, it demonstrated its capability to provide warnings for more significant events. Residents are encouraged to download the MyShake app for additional information and alerts. MyNorthwest related: 2.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Kitsap County Ways to be prepared Tobin reminded the public of the importance of earthquake preparedness, citing the 24th anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake, which caused significant damage in 2001. 'We must be ready for larger earthquakes, even though they come without warning,' he said. Tobin said people can also download an app called MyShake, which warns about smaller earthquakes. For more information on earthquake preparedness and early warning systems, visit the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network's website.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
3.2 magnitude earthquake rocks east King County, WA
The Brief A 3.2 magnitude earthquake hit roughly 4.3 miles east-northeast of Fall City, Washington at 12:07 p.m. This follows a 2.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Bremerton at 5:00 a.m. the same day. No injuries or structural damage was reported. SEATTLE - A 3.2-magnitude earthquake shook parts of east King County early Thursday afternoon, just hours after a similar quake in Bremerton. According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, the ground rumbled around 12:07 p.m. some 4.3 miles east-northeast of Fall City, Washington, at a depth of around 10.43 miles. No injuries have been reported, but folks living in the area say they felt the quake, which lasted "no more than two seconds." Local perspective This follows a 2.9-magnitude earthquake that jostled Bremerton at 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning. That quake was initially reported as 3.1-magnitude, but was downgraded after federal review. Big picture view There are no reports of structural damage, but according to studies by seismologists and architects, many buildings in western Washington — especially in Seattle — are ill-equipped to withstand the next major earthquake. This is due to the region's positioning over the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a major fault line that will cause the largest earthquake and tsunami in centuries, since at least 1700. The kicker is, we don't know when that earthquake will happen. Friday will mark 24 years since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, which injured hundreds and cost some $1–4 billion in damages. across Puget Sound. The Source Information in this story comes from the U.S. Geological Survey, witness testimony from Facebook, and Puyallup man killed, family now sending ashes back to Japan: 'That's his final trip' 4 arrested following car jacking, crash, chase in Spanaway, WA 'You steal for a living': Everett antique store confronts accused serial shoplifters 2 bills aimed at improving community safety in WA advance Pirate plunders boat motors from Gig Harbor, WA marina To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
