The Northridge earthquake demonstrated how quickly seismic shaking can lead to widespread damage. In just seconds, the 1994 quake caused extensive structural failures across Southern California. Experts caution that future earthquakes could be larger and more damaging, placing even greater strain on older buildings. Seismic retrofitting is one of the […]
For apartment owners, protecting residents and preserving property value in the event of a major earthquake is essential. A properly designed and executed seismic retrofit improves building safety, reduces potential damage, and helps protect long-term rental income. However, not all retrofit projects deliver the same results. Choosing a qualified and […]
How would a massive earthquake impact California’s housing shortage?
The answer is obvious. A major earthquake that hits densely-populated urban areas would make California’s housing shortage much worse.
Such an earthquake could take a heavy toll on California’s affordable housing supply, particularly the older, soft-story apartment buildings that are most at-risk of […]
OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.
February 2026 NEWSLETTER
Turning Earthquake Data Into Safer Communities
Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.
The Berkeley Seismological Laboratory at UC Berkeley continues to advance earthquake safety through […]
In the morning of January 10, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area residents were reminded of California’s precarious geological reality. A preliminary magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck near the San Francisco Zoo, shaking the city awake. While light and weak shaking rippled across the region, no injuries or significant damage were reported. […]
