California Earthquake Could Be the Next Katrina - Page 2

amber · #16 09-09-2005, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I don't know what happened to BART. I don't think there was any damage to the system. I don't recall hearing anything in the news about damage to it.

One small portion of the Nimitz Freeway collapsed -- top level onto bottom level -- owing to a phenomenon called site response. It's a term used to describe the effect shallow layers of soft sediment have on seismic waves. Ground motion is a lot more violent in soft, uncompacted sediments because seismic wave amplitudes actually increase when they reach those points, & they become trapped in the "wiggle." Think of groundfill soil that liquifies during a quake, which is especially dangerous.

Seismologists actually use a great example: imagine you have a pan of Jell-O, another pan of brownie batter & yet another pan of overcooked brownies. If you bang the side of each dish, which substance is going to shake more? The Jell-O first, by far, & then the brownie batter & finally the hard-as-rock brownies.

The small section of the Nimitz that collapsed is sitting on top of estuarine mud, while the freeway sections to the north & to the south of that are built on denser, harder alluvium. The places in Oakland with the least damage were generally built atop harder rock: sandstone, shale, limestone, etc.

Most of the Marina District on the Peninsula is also on mud, which is why it liquifies in earthquakes. It's bad news.

Brilliant. Thanks David.
Oh, I also live in an old wooden house that was made into apartments. We're going down, but luckily I'm on the top floor.

Unluckily, there's a giant tree in my courtyard about 15 feet from my apt. Unluckily, I'm pretty sure this place is a fire trap. Luckily, I'm sure we're on something solid. Unluckily, I just checked a "peak ground accelaration percentage" map, and it appears I'm in the 70-80% ground acceleration zone.
Hmmm, I think I'll stop thinking about this now.
On another note, when I was looking this up, I found a gay and lesbian ice hockey league, the Oakland Earthquakes. From their site:

"Q: I'm not gay! What do I do now? I still want to play with you guys!
A: Being attracted to the opposite sex can be hard in today's world but luckily it is becoming more and more accepted. Chin up little heterosexual. Being straight is not a choice and we understand that. That's why we here at the Earthquakes accept all sexual orientations on our team. Come join us and be a part of our family - we'll welcome you in, even if the rest of society doesn't."

macfanken · #17 09-09-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

There was a 6.0 earthquake a couple of hundred miles from Boston that severely damaged the city in the late 1700s. It seems like earthquakes can happen almost anywhere from the bit of research I just did. I hope that "the big one" never comes, anywhere.

We're pretty vulnerable here, there is an elevated highway that runs along the waterfront that was damaged in the last earthquake in 2001, also a floating bridge that goes east out of the city. Most experts think they could collapse during the next earthquake. This week, state Republicans here are trying to cut the gas tax that was created to pay for their replacements. Their shortsightedness is shocking to me. They didn't learn anything from what happened in New Orleans... what can happen when a city is not prepared. They would rather cut taxes and look good for the next election.

BombaySapphire3 · #18 09-09-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

There was a 6.0 earthquake a couple of hundred miles from Boston that severely damaged the city in the late 1700s. It seems like earthquakes can happen almost anywhere from the bit of research I just did. I hope that "the big one" never comes, anywhere.

Yep the New Madrid fault near the middle of the country actually changed the course of the Mississippi by 2 miles when it went over 200 years ago.If they have another one like that there it would flatten Memphis and St. Louis.

seeker007nmss · #19 09-09-2005, 12:56 PM

If Yellowstone blows like they think it might, (Super Volcano), that will be the world/civilization changer.

SapphireSister · #20 09-09-2005, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the great news! Let's just hope Bush is isn't around if and when it happens. Then again we'd be dealing with a lot of very wealthy, famous, white people if it hit Los Angeles so maybe things would be different

.

amber · #21 09-09-2005, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

If Yellowstone blows like they think it might, (Super Volcano), that will be the world/civilization changer.

Who thinks it might? Any links? Suggestions? More info?

seeker007nmss · #22 09-09-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

Who thinks it might? Any links? Suggestions? More info?

A few months ago they had a show on it on Discovery Channel about it. They showed how the bulge is growing and how they found volcanic ash thousands on miles (and very thick) away, from the last time it blew a long time ago.

Very scarey.

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence.../under_03.html

amber · #23 09-09-2005, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

A few months ago they had a show on it on Discovery Channel about it. They showed how the bulge is growing and how they found volcanic ash thousands on miles (and very thick) away, from the last time it blew a long time ago.

Very scarey.

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence.../under_03.html

Holy Scrap!

Thanks for the link, Jim.

"Jim! She's gonna blow! I can't hold 'er any longer!"

damn! I wish I had cable!

SuzeQuze · #24 09-09-2005, 08:38 PM

That is really scary to think about. Maybe I should go visit Yellowstone before it blows.

seeker007nmss · #25 09-09-2005, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

Holy Scrap!

Thanks for the link, Jim.

"Jim! She's gonna blow! I can't hold 'er any longer!"

damn! I wish I had cable!

amber · #26 09-09-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

It's hard not to use your name for star trek references...I'm sure you understand...

seeker007nmss · #27 09-09-2005, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

It's hard not to use your name for star trek references...I'm sure you understand...

I have a friend who is a doctor.... so you can imagine.....

"I am a doctor, not a "fill in the balnk". He's dead jim!"

amber · #28 09-09-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

I have a friend who is a doctor.... so you can imagine.....

"I am a doctor, not a "fill in the balnk". He's dead jim!"

Oh, my, favorite funny phrase ever!

"Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a circus clown!"
"Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a paraplegic time traveler!"
"Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor, not Joan Crawford in "Mildred Pierce!"

Actually, come to think of it, I can see myself being disproportionately happy if my husband's name was Jim...