Thirty-five years after the Loma Prieta earthquake, the USGS seeks testimonies from those who lived through the event to gather insights and improve future earthquake preparedness. The earthquake caused extensive damage in California and led to the creation of a public reporting tool, “Did You Feel It?”, aimed at enhancing understanding of earthquake impacts.
As the 35th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake approaches, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is reaching out to individuals who experienced the seismic event on October 17, 1989. The 6.9-magnitude earthquake not only highlighted California’s susceptibility to significant earthquakes but also resulted in widespread devastation. The USGS had not established its online reporting tool, “Did You Feel It?”, at that time, which was later launched a decade later to gather public accounts of shaking from various earthquakes. The agency is intent on collecting memories and experiences from those who felt the quake, which claimed 63 lives and resulted in damages exceeding $6.8 billion. This public input is critical in enhancing the understanding of earthquake impacts, aiding in future forecasting, and informing emergency response measures as well as construction standards. Dr. Christine Goulet, Director of the USGS Earthquake Science Center, emphasized the importance of these anniversary reflections, underscoring that they serve as reminders of California’s seismic reality and the need for community readiness. The Loma Prieta earthquake had devastating effects, particularly in the cities of Santa Cruz, Oakland, and San Francisco, where significant structural failures occurred. The incident included the collapse of a section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the daytime collapse of the Interstate 880 Cypress Structure. In total, more than 11,500 responses have been recorded through the USGS’s reporting tool, indicating shaking felt from Southern California up to Oregon. Furthermore, the USGS advises residents to utilize this anniversary as an opportunity to enroll in the ShakeAlert early warning system to enhance personal safety protocols during future seismic events.
The Loma Prieta Earthquake, which occurred on October 17, 1989, is remembered as one of the most impactful seismic events in U.S. history. With a magnitude of 6.9, the quake caused immense destruction and loss of life, especially in Northern California. In response to such events, the USGS created tools like “Did You Feel It?” to collect data about seismic experiences from the public. This information plays a vital role in disaster preparedness, structural engineering, and public safety initiatives.
The commemoration of the Loma Prieta earthquake provides an opportunity for the USGS to gather essential data from those who experienced the quake. This public feedback is invaluable for understanding seismic impacts and enhancing earthquake preparedness. Dr. Goulet’s remarks on the significance of such contributions underscore the ongoing relevance of the 1989 quake in informing future safety measures.
Original Source: www.pressdemocrat.com
