If Puget Sound is falling

William Steele, seismology laboratory coordinator at the University of Washington Geophysics Program, has a son, Chris, going to primary school. "He comes sometimes and she likes to do things." It seems that he had recently submitted a sticker on a monitor the laboratory, and father had difficulty accessing the material. "What excuse!" Steele I have not done in the program that wanted to show.

December 4th year past there was a 5.1 magnitude quake in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The aftershocks were felt in the state of Washington. It was addressed to the University of Washington to find information on the recent earthquake activity in the Puget Sound.

"Oregon is relatively quiet, near Washington. But this year we had a lot activity Oregon, contrary to historical trends. "Klamath Falls could not be worse, said Steele, the control of the Numbers: September 4, 5.9, 20 September 5.9, 5.0, 4.3, December 4, 5.1, and Christmas Day, 4.0, 3.4.

Most of our local activities in the Puget Sound is recorded by the team laboratory at the University of Washington. They have a computer program for emergency preparedness called "Beat the Quake, land of earthquakes in California, who has suffered a very severe earthquake damage lately. It's Steele, the program has had problems running on your computer. Fortunately, the University of Washington Seismology laboratory has much more information than civil protection "if not starting from zero" in the unlikely event of an earthquake. Steele is also the chief information public about the tremors from the University of Washington. "We have 135 seismic stations throughout Washington and Oregon, now in operation, and we're growing. Really cover a wide area. "

They precisely locate earthquakes and determine the magnitude (total energy amount released by the earthquake) area (area affected by the earthquake), and the epicenter (location on the surface above the fireplace, or where an earthquake originates.)

Data are collected about the geology of the region. "It is critical data. This laboratory is an educational center for graduate students in geophysics." They also educate citizens. Groups of school students come and talk to Steele civic organizations, encouraging people to act and be safe from earthquakes.

Of course, everyone wants is the big question: When?

"We are not able to make an appointment. It is more complicated because three types of earthquakes occur in Puget Sound. The most common are deep earthquakes.

"Journey through the crust Transmission planet, sometimes the other side." The events occur on any part of the leaves helicorder, forming an analog, a record 24 hours of each earthquake. For example, the Klamath Falls earthquakes, which are near the Oregon coast of California.

"We cover the Cascade Mountains, and have several stations on each volcano. We have a good site in Mont. Baker, enough to cover region. "Earthquakes around volcanoes are common.

LAB shares data with California earthquakes in California and Oregon border. "We are part of the Washington Regional Seismic Network." Steele showed me a seismic map of the Pacific Northwest, 1969-1991. There were huge blue clusters in the Puget Sound. What, I asked. "Moderate, shallow and deep earthquakes. The clusters are deep in the basin of Puget Sound.

deep earthquakes, those that do tend to write home about, are larger in magnitude as measured on the Modified Mercalli Scale. The values usually range from 1.0 (No way) to 7.0 (extreme damage to buildings and land). They may rise further, as has happened in recent deep earthquakes in Alaska.

Namely what is happening in the Puget Sound, about 300 miles or more from the East Coast, where earthquakes are generated deep. There is a peak of 500-700 kilometers call Juan de Fuca Ridge, and new materials, new seabed deposit all time on the road. Push to the subduction of the Juan de Fuca to the American plate North Seattle area. The Juan de Fuca plate moves an average of two centimeters a year, towards us, lifting the other plate.

A border zone blocks, an interface between two oceanic plates to the plate, making subducted beneath us, forcing the oceanic plate sinks into the Earth's mantle. This limit is called the Cascadia subduction zone, extending from mid-Vancouver Island in British Columbia to northern California.

Earth's mantle is in its fragile crust. It is semi-solid, due to the tremendous heat and pressure. "Our Cascade volcanoes are probably due to plate subduction below us. Push deforms the crust and built extremely limited. Today, the Washington coast is increasing. Were rounded up. "Ocean's Plate "Stone cold" and the shock of the encounter of two forces led to deep earthquakes. Washington has recently seen two major in 1949 and 1965.

A prospective laboratory states that about 1,000 earthquakes a year are recorded in Washington and Oregon. "Between one and two dozen of these earthquakes sufficient cause to be felt by residents. Most are in the Puget Sound, and cause any real damage. However, according to a history of destructive earthquakes and our understanding geological history of the Pacific Northwest, we are confident that destructive earthquakes (magnitude 6.0 or greater) will be in our region, although we have no way to predict whether it is more likely to be today or years from now. "Steele believes it will be soon.

"In 1949, there was a strong earthquake in Olympia, 7.1. Eight people have died and millions of dollars in property damage. The earthquake was located 70 kilometers deep.

"In 1965, there were an earthquake of 6.5 magnitude between Seattle and Tacoma. "The two earthquakes were felt as far away as Montana. But there was no replies, as usual during an earthquake in depth. The replicas infamous, known to catch people in the middle of recovering from a bad earthquake, earthquakes occur during shallow ground. Ocean Collision that happened once, causing tremors that lasted for several minutes. "The earthquake in 1965 killed five people around, yet there were millions dollars in property damage. "Other events deep, difficult to calculate from records of the time, in 1882, 1909 and 1939." Each 35, or if an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 occurs below Puget Basin. The entire area along the coast will move both. When she finally builds up enough pressure to boot, it will be great. "

Eighty percent of earthquakes on Earth over the Pacific northwest coast, called "The Ring of Fire "because of our volcanoes. In 1964, the year before last major event of this area, south-central Alaska created a monster 9.3 earthquake shook the floor for twenty minutes, tsunamis devastated the coast of Seward, touched 34.000 miles square, killing 143 people. And recently there have been major clashes Mendecino Cape, California, and Parkfield, California, known for earthquakes in 1992.

Brian Atwater of the USGS (U.S. Geological Service) and the Department of Geology University Washington studied on the coasts of Washington and Oregon. He found a kind of laminate flooring … "What found … ghost forests killed by the mainshock past. The topics covered in the subduction zone thick black sand. "A few changes to coat the brush, then the layer of sand." As usual curve to the coast and lowlands are cleaned with salt water. The stress is released during the earthquake of the coast had disappeared in seven or eight feet. Drops. "If you live within five feet above the sea, this is not very comfortable. "

Earthquakes also generate large tsunamis, the biggest bridges, generated by Earthquakes can tear miles of coastline, cleaning, roads and buildings. Subduction zone earthquakes of great land, 9.0 or more occur about once a century the face of the planet. Interestingly, a large earthquake could cause in about three and a half minutes of strong shaking, it does not sound like him. "An earthquake in California was seventeen recent years seconds of strong ground motion, a 7.1 earthquake. A 7.0 earthquake releases the equivalent of 199,000 tons of TNT in energy and a 9.0 release notes 200 million tonnes, a value of 17,000 atomic bombs "of force.

"The difference between 8 and 9 is greater than the difference between 2 and 8, because logarithmic scale. The force increases exponentially. You receive 30 times more each time. "I wondered if it never rises to 10.0.

By updating carbon of organic matter in soil and 14 sea levels, scientists can determine approximate dates for events going back 10,000 years. "Finding clues about these earthquakes involves both careful research and conjecture.

Research has recently identified a defect in Seattle that has generated an earthquake of great magnitude between 1000-1100 years. "Is There were landslides, and a huge squid, which is important when the falling water, creating waves as tsunamis. The large block landslides occurred in forests. Restore Point on Bainbridge Island has increased by six meters of Puget Sound in a few seconds during this event. "

The accumulation of ice sheets that once covered the continent, it is difficult to analyze the failure surface crust. But geologists are almost certainly, there are two major flaws in Seattle. The most important is the northern tip of Mercer Island, Eastgate for the kingdom, north of West Seattle. The other failure through White Center, parallel to the largest. In 1872, an estimated 7.3 earthquake has caused this superficial seismologists call "felt reports" by observers, the only evidence of some earthquakes. Native Americans tell stories about what must have been very few major earthquakes and tsunamis.

Today all real-time telemetry (automatic data transmission from a remote source to a receiving station) comes through the back of the laboratory where Steele poured me a cup of coffee from Starbucks to your sink metal equipment in a busy area. "ZAP Power Relay activity" in nanoseconds to the lab. Before, people in a region know what is on target, what we do. "The helicorders monitor 23 stations in analog." We focus on volcanoes. All stations, including helicorders on, go on the computer system in the next room. The discriminator on the back carries signals FM company and separates them from seismic signals, leaving an amplified seismic signal. Will the front room, transformed into digital information the computer can read.

"If you select a" jump "(a leap in the needle into the helicorder) in a season, make sure the other stations and stores all data, whether a signal or not. If a major earthquake, the magnitude is estimated through programs, etc, the tones of the people (like Steele), and sends information to seismologists in the region. "Steele can hear a" beep "at any time.

As I drank my coffee, I Steele says he is a graduate student working in his life partner, and keep their families together, rent a house in Wallingford and raising two children. "It's a job fun, but … rewards are not monetary. "However, he is treated as a colleague by all, and has a good working relationship with all its" partners in the laboratory. "

About preparing for earthquakes, Steele is adamant. "The Secret Is not the fear and loathing in Seattle, and we have to hide under the beds. Let's Get Ready. Our schools need to reach the point where we can not withstand an earthquake of 7.4. How small do we need body under the bricks before you start spending money? "As currently there is no specific law enforcement building codes earthquake:" If year the building code could have told us that lots of bricks without mortar on top of another. "

unreinforced masonry structures that creates fall during an earthquake ground, but moderate. "The entire wall of a school can fall and kill students. A brick that falls three stories does not slow down, he said, Al Referring to the death of a child during the 1965 earthquake. Steele is true these deaths are preventable.

At least six schools in Oregon are non-reinforced structures, bricks that can fall and fill a doorway, blocking the exit. "Renewal of them or tear them down and build another school. If a school is considered dangerous for a recent earthquake, sell, and becomes a center for seniors. No law prevented. These buildings must be set with the code or removed. Death will happen if we do nothing. India just had an earthquake measuring 6.8 … tens of thousands dead. Take water and food stored to last 72 hours. Money is needed a table and went to outside, down on the ground, under something, to see if you smell gas, turn off electricity, too. "

You must learn to know its resources in the community a Steele said. And in case of severe aftershocks, if you are in a building "You must wait until the shaking stops, then leave." Many people are killed by falling debris during the evacuation of buildings.

The number of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in Woodinville, directed by Chris Trisler, is (206) 487-4645. It's your job to help people prepare for earthquakes.

Steele What to see in the near future? "I expect more of the same. Probably some more than 4.0 earthquakes in the Puget Sound. As we talked, there have been events in Klamath Falls. "As I write this, there are replicas of 04 December is the "sequence" of Klamath Falls. "The question is, do we recognize the danger and do something, or we wait until we have a number of deaths that appropriate? I see a map and a dedicated management of the state. There will be a lot of money. "

Steele said one of his colleagues said it best: "The next disaster will happen a lot when we forget the past."

Some of the information contained in this article "Washington State geology "by Lawrance, Qamar, and Thorsen, 1988).

WHAT do but mourn to kill – down!

Apparently, you can hear a loudly, their building before the madness begins. What follows is "How to Survive in the earthquake Earthquake," a brochure from FEMA. Learn about your risk at home and in your workplace. Get more details from the American Red Cross or FEMA.

Learn what causes injury: the pieces fall off buildings and interiors, broken glass, libraries investment, without support, water heaters, storage facilities, no glass, fire damaged gas lines, lines electric stoves, wood, fire, toxic fumes.

Creating Emergency Plans: The search for safe places in your house, identify routes evacuation plan two ways out of each room; Pick two meeting places outside your home and outside your neighborhood in case you can not go home, everybody shows how to turn off water, gas and electricity, the practice of their projects now.

Read "The disaster plan of the family" and "List Emergency Preparedness, "which you can get from FEMA.

Reduce earthquake risk: assessment of water heaters and home appliances strap down gas, Souvenirs, direct object, file heavy objects on shelves, while the anchor anchor hanging heavy objects, preparing for earthquakes community support.

Businesses, schools, daycare centers, neighborhoods, churches, clubs organize workshops:. Prepare a disaster preparedness kit: Store food, water, clothing, first aid kit, radio, flashlights and batteries, good for 72 hours of use in the boot of the car, home and office. For more information, FEMA leaflet, your family disaster supplies kit. "

During and after an earthquake: stay calm, do not panic or run. Earthquakes are usually preceded by loud sounds, to take swift action. In fact, is about two seconds, and then prepare for the earthquake now to protect you and others. Stay where you are: duck, cover and hold a solid, or to take immediate cover under a desk or heavy table, a door hallway, or against interior walls. Stay away from glass. Stay away from fireplaces, windows, shelves and large objects that could fall.

Evacuate after the shaking stops. Use the stairs, no elevator. Remember, aftershocks may occur at any time. Listen to radio or television for instructions. Outdoors: away from buildings, trees and electric child. Sit on the ground until the shaking happened. Escape interior immediately when you are near the coast. Check for injuries. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in danger. Interior: evacuate damaged buildings, as aftershocks could cause additional damage, or buildings may collapse.

Do not reenter a building until declared safe by authorities. Do not use the telephone except in emergencies, remain away from the phone. Check for fires. Have a fire extinguisher, and learn to use it. Check utilities: gas, electricity, water pipes may be broken. Gaz: Do not use matches, candles, open flames or electric switches indoors due to gas leaks. If you smell gas, open windows, leave and close the valve gas main, which is outside.

Electricity: If the cable breaks, the electricity cut off the main switch. Do not touch anything in the stomach or near damaged lines. Water: If water pipes are broken, power failure outside the main valve. Use ice cubes, water, water heaters, toilet tanks (if they do not contain chemical cleaners). Wipe up spills. Attend carefully spills of hazardous materials, such as drugs, medicines and household cleaning products. Ensure adequate ventilation, chemicals can be combined to produce toxic gases. Do not forget to help others who need.

And remember: this is not your fault. (Sorry, could not resist the joke.)

About the Author

Executive Director and President of Rainbow Writing, Inc., Karen Cole writes. RWI at http://www.rainbowriting.com is a renowned inexpensive and affordable professional freelance writers, book authors, ghost writers, copy editors, proof readers, coauthors, manuscript rewriters, graphics and CAD, digital and other photographers, publishing assistance and screenplay writers, editors, developers and analysts service.

6 – Atmosphere: Gaining Altitude, part 2