Earthquakes

The First Earthquake That We Have History Of Took Place In Los Angeles

The National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) is the resource we turn to for accurate information regarding earthquakes. They are able to determine when and where an earthquake will take place. An earthquake is classified as waves of energy that result from shifting masses of rock that is miles below the surface of the earth.

Every single state in the United States has experienced an earthquake at some point. Florida and North Dakota have the fewest with California and Alaska experiencing the most. California experiences many more earthquakes than Alaska, but the majority of those that hit California are very low in magnitude. Alaska is hit with 7 and 8 magnitude earthquakes.

They also maintain a database regarding earthquakes including the location they took place in, the severity, and a summary of the event. This database is used to compile accurate information for predicting and calculating earthquakes. It is estimated that 500,000 earthquakes take place across the world each year.

The first earthquake that we have history of took place in Los Angeles, California in 1769. Since then California has been hit harder than any other region by earthquakes. This is because of the layers under the surface of the ground. Scientists believe earthquakes take place on the moon as well as on the Earth. It is believed they have a much smaller impact, and are the result of tidal stress between the Earth and the moon.

An earthquake has two parts. The hypocenter is under the surface. This is where the earthquake actually forms and starts to move. The epicenter is the location that the earthquake physically touches above the ground. Earthquakes are classified on a scale from 1 to 10 based on the magnitude of the earthquake. The more severe the earthquake is the higher it ranks on the scale.

The largest earthquake to take place in the United States rated 9.2 on the scale. It took place in William Sound, Alaska in 1964. Worldwide, the largest recorded earthquake was in Chile during 1960, with a rating of 9.5. The deadliest earthquake to ever take place in the world is the 1556 earthquake that struck Central China. The dwellings here where people lived consisted of rocks. The dwellings collapsed, resulting in more than 800,000 people dying.

Earthquakes are carefully monitored and documented. While we now know what causes them and the areas most prone to experience them, we are no where close to discovering a way to control this natural phenomena. NEIC continues to conduct research but works hard to notify people of earthquakes that may hit as well as educating about them.

Financial Earthquake Prevention, A Related Diversification

It has been said that from 1994 Northridge earthquake, human losses was more than what experienced during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Recent estimates have shown that national earthquake financial loss from earthquake is about $5.6 billion a year. Devastation of the earthquake not only takes precious life but destroys business world as well. A very important business concept can be drawn from engineering structural stable buildings. Let us see if we can use an allegory by introducing concepts from the engineering world.

Earthquake design is more looked in the West Coast and in Alaska, where regions is more likely to have such a life changing force, compare to other locations in our country. When designing building in this region, geotechnical earthquake engineering is a field that contributes to the building design extensively.

The main step, when designing our building in this area, is to determine the dynamic loading from anticipated earthquake, or the design earthquake.

When designing a structure, the types of activities that are necessary for analysis of earthquake design to be perfumed by geotechnical engineer include the following:

• Investigating the site for possibility of liquefaction because it can cause complete loss of soil’s shear strength, causing bearing failure, capacity failure, excessive settlement, or slope movement ( financial earthquake prevention ).

• It is important to calculate the settlement of the structure with anticipated earthquake in mind ( financial earthquake prevention ).

• It is necessary to check parameters for the foundation to make sure it does not suffer a bearing capacity failure during an earthquake ( financial earthquake prevention ).

• It is important to analyze any slopes that are on the site since it can impose additional forces during the anticipated earthquake ( financial earthquake prevention ).

• It is important to investigate the effect of design earthquake on retaining walls ( financial earthquake prevention ).

• It is wise to investigate other factors that contribute to earthquake effect; such effects include faulting and resonance of the structure ( financial earthquake prevention )

• It is necessary to make site improvements and determine the type of foundation to be used to withstand anticipated earthquake. Examples of such might included ground stabilization and ground water control for site improvements and shallow or deep foundation for the type of foundation to be used. ( financial earthquake prevention ).

• It is vital to assist the structural engineer for the project by investigating the effects ground movements and its effect and the building; also, providing design parameters or suitable structural systems to withstand such displacement ( financial earthquake prevention )…

Just one single large earthquake can cause damage of more than $100 billion, that’s only about twice the loss in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. (Does it still kind of hard to see the financial earthquake prevention? It is, but read the conclusion if you can’t wait.) Clearly, our buildings have to be designed and built to withstand such forces as much as possible. But do we, as business professionals, ever think about our “financial earth quakes”? We need to diversify our income source! As a distributor, business developer, and a general contractor, I do just that-diversify my income source. Right now, my construction organization is not experiencing growth of any kind but I have other income sources that I can develop. I do recommend you to visit my website to learn how you can add another source of income-just like I did my financial earthquake prevention…

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Paul Peshkov is a general contractor/business developer. As a favorite hobby, Mr. Peshkov is extensively involved in studying alternative medicine. He enjoys helping people reach their full potential in life. For more info on his latest developments visit his website, http://www.PaulPeshkov.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Peshkov

What is the estimated damage for the Ottawa earthquake?

The earthquake hit Ottawa and other Canadian cities a few days ago, and I will be travelling there in the coming months. What is the damage that has been done? Death toll? Is it affecting travel plans?