Earthquakes and Tsunamis: A Double-Whammy for Coastal Communities
Two significant earthquake threats face communities in the Apartment Association of California Southern Cities area. The first is the risk of building damage associated with seismic shaking. The second is more localized along low coastal areas — the danger of a tsunami triggered by an earthquake that may occur thousands […]
Can Liquefaction Destroy Your Building?
About 15 million years ago, the Los Angeles Basin was underwater. Over the span of many millennia, surrounding mountain ranges rose, releasing molten rock into the underlying crust to create an immense geologic bowl that time filled with sand, silt, and clay from ancient rivers.
Today, the basin is home to […]
Earthquake retrofits are a good business investment
Humans, in ancient times, believed earthquakes were caused by huge animals, angry gods and giants.
Current folklore attempts to find causal links between moon phases and earthquakes, but this theory has been debunked by science.
What we do know is that earthquakes are frequent in California, and that Southern California is long […]
Earthquake retrofits and structural engineering advances enhance public safety, protect investments
We put a lot of trust into structural engineering. Every time we drive on an overpass, pass through a tunnel, or enter a building – we trust our lives to the knowledge and workmanship of the people who built them.
Structural engineers design the bones and muscles that form and define […]
Quake retrofits may qualify for cost recovery
A worry apartment owners may face when doing earthquake retrofits, major renovations or repairs is the impact that construction could have on their tenants — and whether their Tenant Habitability Plan will add significant expenses to their project.
Extra costs might include precautions to minimize impacts, such as establishing alternative parking […]
Asbestos? Lead? It pays to do things right
Many older homes and apartment buildings contain lead and asbestos. Owners sometimes downplay the health hazards these substances pose to humans and the environment alike, and feel tempted to bypass the rules by removing these contaminants undercover — hoping that no one finds out.
Failure to comply with the law on […]
Should San Diego’s hazard report include earthquakes?
City of San Diego officials are getting serious about resilience, and they’re turning to the community for feedback on what that means.
In 2020, the city completed a Climate Change Hazard Vulnerability Assessment, which has served as the foundation for a new plan – Climate Resilient SD – to ensure that […]
Earthquake retrofits are a good business investment
Humans, in ancient times, believed earthquakes were caused by huge animals, angry gods and giants.
Current folklore attempts to find causal links between moon phases and earthquakes, but this theory has been debunked by science.
What we do know is that earthquakes are frequent in California, and that Southern California is long […]
Demolition means earthquake resilience a step closer
Demolition of the “old” Long Beach City Hall – dedicated on the day of the nation’s bicentennial on July 4, 1976 – is underway. By the end of the year, it could be completely razed.
Deemed a threat in a major earthquake, the 14-story tower was closed in 2019 due to […]









