Ensuring Earthquake Safety for All: The Importance of Retrofitting

OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.

July 2024 Newsletter

Ensuring Earthquake Safety for All: The Importance of Retrofitting

Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.

In seismically active cities along the U.S. West Coast, many older houses, especially those built before 1980 with elevated front porches and crawl spaces, are at significant risk during strong earthquakes. Proper retrofitting, such as bolting the foundation and bracing crawl space walls, can prevent these homes from sliding off their foundations, though the costs can be prohibitive for many homeowners

A recent study highlights disparities in retrofitting rates among different demographic groups in Los Angeles, revealing that Black and Hispanic neighborhoods have lower retrofit rates compared to White and Asian neighborhoods. The Earthquake Brace and Bolt (EBB) program has helped improve retrofit rates in lower-income areas since its inception in 2013, but more needs to be done to ensure equitable earthquake mitigation efforts across all communities. Preparing for the “Big One” is crucial for all Californians, as effective retrofitting can make the difference between repairable damage and total loss.

Seismic retrofit rates highlight inequitable efforts

In seismically active cities along the West Coast of the U.S., many older houses may not survive a strong earthquake. Take, for instance, houses built before 1980 with elevated front porches and crawl spaces. If these homes aren’t retrofitted properly, they could slide off their foundations or crumple during intense shaking.
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Magnitude won’t be the horror determinator of California’s big earthquake

In recent days, Southern California has experienced one earthquake after another. A 3.6 in Ojai on May 31. Two of a similar magnitude under the East Los Angeles area of El Sereno. Another three quakes near Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.
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Where are U.S. earthquakes most likely?

Some 230 million people in the United States face the risk of damaging earthquakes in the next 100 years. That’s according to the latest U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model, or NSHM. The NSHM estimates the risk of earthquakes based on historical data and seismic studies. The number of people expected to be at risk by the new NSHM is about 40 million more than NSHM had suggested in models from 2018 and earlier.
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Powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits southern Peru

At least eight people have been injured after a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of southern Peru overnight Friday at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGC).

The quake hit 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Atiquipa, about 600 kilometers (372 miles) south of the capital Lima.
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How tiny fossils in Oregon’s coastal marshes could help us prepare for big quakes

If all goes to plan, the long metal rod of the core sampler will cut down through the soil of the salt marsh like a knife through warm butter.

Mike Priddy and David Bruce take their places in the waist-high grass.
“Ready?” Bruce asks as they grab the t-shaped handle. “One. Two. Three!”
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L.A.’s most destructive earthquake sent me into therapy

Thirty years ago, I spent every Tuesday morning at my therapist’s office trying to understand why it seemed like the ground never stopped shaking.

At the time, seeking professional help for emotional challenges wasn’t as widely accepted, and the term “trauma” seemed reserved for people who had experienced something truly horrible.
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Retrofitting & Liability with the Wineman Building

The Optimum Seismic team has been one of the leading engineering and construction companies dealing with earthquake retrofits and renovations in California since 1984.
Contact Optimum Seismic to set up your complimentary property assessment today. Call (833) 978-7664 of visit optimumseismic.com.