Earthquake Waves: Local Effects

OPENING QUESTIONS:

Do a search and find an interactive 'Shake Map' from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) that shows projected ground motion in Gig Harbor during a 'Full Rip' event on the CSZ.

Hint: Don't use google

Bigger Hint: Use the wizard

Biggest Hint: Don't let it spew at you, tell it what to find, specifically

Once you've found that INTERACTIVE MAP (not just a map) assess the projected damage in Gig Harbor during that event.

Your assessment should include:

  • MMI values
  • Description of what those values indicate
  • pga

LEARNING TARGET:

I will work with my team to assess projected earthquake wave damage in GH during a 'Full Rip' event on the CSZ during today's class

WORDS O' THE DAY:

  • Primary (p) waves - Travel through all types of material and arrive first.
  • Secondary (s) waves - Only travel through solid rock (not liquids of any sort) and arrive later
  • Surface waves - Only travel along the surface of the earth-- they arrive LAST but are most destructive
  • focus - The location of an earthquake inside the Earth
  • epicenter - The point on the Earth's Surface directly above an earthquake
  • pga - Peak Ground Acceleration, usually measured in cm/sec/sec (I don't know why)
  • mmi - Modified Mercalli Intensity: A numeric scale based on expected results of an earthquake with that value, NOT the same as the Magnitude scale that measures energy

WORK O' THE DAY:

Hopefully you found THIS

Let's discuss-- for example, why are the expected ground motions so variable in Western Washington?

Now split your team in two parts - one team should find the same interactive map for:

  • A 7.0M (or similar) earthquake on the Seattle Fault
  • A 7.0M (or similar) earthquake on the Tacoma Fault

Do the same analysis on each of those.

If time permits, find a reputable source to serve as the basis for your family preparedness plan.

You'll need to create a family plan that CLOSELY follows the recommendations in that plan. At a minimum:

  • The number of days you are planning for
  • The number of family members in question
  • Critical medication
  • Critical infrastructure (generators for emergency medical equipment for example)
  • The amount of water (per person and in total)
  • Where you will store or obtain your water
  • The type and amount of food (specifically) and where and how you will store it
  • Family meet-up location
  • Plan for family members that may be stuck on the other side of the bridge
  • Minimum cash set-aside (if possible) and the location (don't tell me, but make sure your family knows) of that cash
  • Other items per your plan - Note: You MUST account for everything on this list even if it isn't specifically mentioned in your plan