Is Seattle Ready For A Jolting Earthquake?
Following the unpredictability of drastic earthquakes all over the world, including Haiti and Chile, cities across the US are now questioning if they are actually prepared in the event a big earthquake were to occur. Will the buildings remain standing? This is one of the many questions John Siu, principal engineer for Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development, and Cheryl Burwell, senior engineer, asked themselves as they walked through Seattle’s Pioneer Square.
Discussing these issues on the radio station KUOW 94.9, host Deborah Wang featured Siu and Burwell on the radio program to discuss how different parts of Seattle may respond to a jolting earthquake. Degenkolb’s Associate Principal, David Gonzalez, was also included in the conversation providing insight on the aftermath of the Chile earthquake. David explained his take on the situation with the optimistic view that, “I think that Chile did fairly well over all, obviously there are a few sad stories, and some damage that shouldn’t have occurred. However, the building codes in the United States, I believe, are more stringent. I believe we have better quality control, and I think in general, as I say, we are using the state–of–the art analysis and design to design our buildings.”
October 21st, 2011 at 11:33 pm
In 1906 the average life span for all Americans was still about 50 years. I wonder what it was in San Francisco.