It stands to reason that the topic of earthquakes has gripped our collective attention and has figured so very prominently in recent media coverage. Within mere weeks, we were witness to one of the most tragic seismic events in terms of loss of life in Haiti only to be followed so quickly by one of the strongest ever measured in terms of magnitude in Chile.
When it comes to measuring these events with networks of seismographs and translating this extremely complex data into clear, easily understandable explanations, perhaps none are better suited to the task than the earth scientists at US Geological Survey (USGS). And while the USGS has done a magnificent job at explaining why Chile is especially prone to such a massive seismic event, as well as how such a devastating quake occurred in Haiti, an area not normally thought of as susceptible to large tremors, that isn’t the end of their work.
And in the particular instance of Haiti, deconstructing the quake with maps and explanations is merely the beginning of the USGS’s role. As a Survey press release explains, USGS seismologists and engineers are slated to play a key role in the rebuilding effort, applying their technical skills to help ensure that the rebuilding of Port au Prince and the vicinity will continue on sure footing.
The technical outreach initiative arises through the Earthquake Disaster Assistance Team program, a recently established federal partnership between the USGS and the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assitance. Through this inter-agency effort, USGS scientists will help lay the foundation for rebuilding in a manner that will avoid many of the problems and shortcomings that led to such tragic aftermath. Among the lessons learned that will be key to moving forward is how much better buildings anchored in solid rock fared compared to those built upon loose unconsolidated soil and fill. Magnifying the tragedy is the fact that up until now, Haiti lacked a framework for engineering codes to govern construction of buildings that would hold up under the stress and strain of a seismic event.
USGS outreach over the next several years will help the Haitian government put such key pieces into place. By helping install a vastly upgraded network of seismic monitoring instrumentation, continuing to measure the very subtle movements still occurring and expected to continue on the local plate boundaries, and through technical consultations on appropriate construction design approaches for various geological conditions, the USGS will help Haiti renew itself in a surer and safer way.
Photo by Marcello Casal Jr/ABr via Wikimedia Commons.
