Seattle's soft spot
boosts power of quakes
The soft sediment underlying Seattle
can amplify shaking during earthquakes, which can arise from a still-active
fault there.
References:
Brocher, T.M. . . . M.A. Fisher, et al. 1999. Structure of
the Seattle Basin: A tomographic model using data from the 1998 seismic
hazards investigation in Puget Sound (SHIPS) experiment, Washington
State. Seismological Research Letters 70(March/April):219.
Pitarka, A., et al. 1999. Modeling the effect of the Puget
Basin on strong ground motions from earthquakes on the Seattle fault.
Seismological Research Letters 70(March/April):220.
Weaver, C.S., et al. 1999. The June 23, 1997 Bainbridge Island,
Washington, earthquake: Evidence that the Seattle fault is seismically
active. Seismological Research Letters 70(March/April):219.
Further Readings:
More information about the Seattle's seismic risk is available at
the Web site for the Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound
at http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/ships/.
Sources:
Michael Fisher
U.S. Geological Survey
345 Middlefield Road
Mailstop Code 977
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Arben Pitarka
URS Greiner Woodward Clyde
Pasadena, CA 91101
Craig Weaver
U.S. Geological Survey
University of Washington
Geophysics Program
Box 351650
Seattle, WA 98195
From Science
News, Vol. 155, No. 19, May 8, 1999, p. 294.
Copyright © 1999, Science Service.
