West Coast Seismic Risks: Protect Your Real Estate Assets

Written by Saunders Seismic on 6th June 2024

Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported multiple swarms of earthquakes along the California-Mexico border. Earthquake swarms are common in the Imperial Valley and can be a cause for concern, as major, damaging earthquakes have been known to follow. However, these swarms often occur without leading to a significant seismic event.

Despite this, scientists remain vigilant due to the numerous faults in the area. As the article notes, “Nonetheless, scientists typically pay close attention to the area, where there are many faults. And there have been moments of greater concern in recent years.”

Seismic Activity on the West Coast: An Overview

The West Coast of the United States is highly seismically active due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. This region is characterized by frequent and sometimes significant earthquakes due to the interaction of several tectonic plates, particularly the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. Here’s an overview of seismic activity and notable faults.

Key Fault Zones

San Andreas Fault

Extends approximately 800 miles through California from the Salton Sea in the south to Cape Mendocino in the north.
Known for major historical earthquakes, including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Cascadia Subduction Zone

Stretches from northern California to southern British Columbia.
Capable of producing massive megathrust earthquakes, such as the estimated 9.0 magnitude quake in 1700.
Poses a significant tsunami risk.

Hayward Fault

Runs through the densely populated East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Last major rupture was in 1868, and it is considered overdue for another significant event.

San Jacinto Fault

Located in Southern California, parallel to the San Andreas Fault.
Frequent seismic activity, contributing to the overall seismic risk in the region.

Garlock Fault

Extends across Southern California, from the San Andreas Fault to the Mojave Desert.
Capable of producing large earthquakes.

Historical Major Earthquakes

1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Magnitude: 7.9
Extensive damage and fires, with an estimated 3,000 deaths and significant destruction in San Francisco.

1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

Magnitude: 6.9
Occurred during the World Series, causing widespread damage in the Bay Area and 63 deaths.

1994 Northridge Earthquake

Magnitude: 6.7
Hit the Los Angeles area, causing severe damage, 57 deaths, and significant economic loss.

2001 Nisqually Earthquake

Magnitude: 6.8
Occurred near Olympia, Washington, causing injuries and damage but relatively low casualties due to its depth.

Importance of Seismic Preparedness

Due to the history and numerous faults in this area, seismic preparedness is essential. Performing seismic retrofits on vulnerable structures is crucial to mitigate risks. Key factors for seismic preparedness include:

Building Codes and Standards

California Building Code (CBC) and International Building Code (IBC) incorporate stringent seismic provisions.
Retrofitting older buildings to meet current standards is a critical ongoing effort.

Public Awareness and Education

Earthquake drills and preparedness programs, such as the Great California ShakeOut, help educate the public.
Information on emergency kits, evacuation plans, and securing household items is widely disseminated.

Early Warning Systems

ShakeAlert, an early warning system, provides seconds to minutes of warning before shaking arrives, allowing people and automated systems to take protective actions.

Government and Community Initiatives

Various local, state, and federal initiatives support seismic retrofitting, preparedness, and resilience-building efforts.
Financial incentives and grants are available to support retrofitting of vulnerable structures.

Mitigating Seismic Risks With Proactive Retrofits

The West Coast remains at high risk for future earthquakes, with significant potential impacts on densely populated urban areas. Scientists emphasize the importance of continued preparedness, research, and infrastructure improvements to mitigate the effects of future earthquakes. Therefore, performing seismic retrofits on commercial real estate assets is imperative to reduce the risk and impact of future seismic events.

We are the seismic solution specialists! With over four decades of experience, Saunders Seismic performs seismic retrofits and structural repairs on all types of buildings across industrial and commercial real estate sectors. We specialize in working in occupied spaces, ensuring minimal tenant disruption during ongoing business operations.