Big Quake Coming For U.S.?

(CBS)  With major seismic events in Haiti and Chile occurring so close together, and relatively close to the United States, is another major earthquake due to strike our country?

On CBS' "The Early Show" this morning, Dr. Marcia McNutt, a geophysicist and director of the U.S. Geological Survey, said it is not a matter of if, but when Americans will face a similar event.

"Every time one of these earthquakes happens to our neighbors, we do learn something," she told anchor Harry Smith. "And as tragic as these events are, and our hearts go out to the people of Haiti as well as to the people of Chile, we have been learning a lot from both of these events."

Special Section: Earthquake in Chile

The U.S. Geological Survey tracks seismic activity around the globe, including the dozens of powerful aftershocks that have been occurring since Saturday's 8.8-magnitude quake. The death toll is currently more than 700.

The USGS' Earthquake Hazards Program analyzes data obtained from earthquakes and their aftermath to study quake characteristics, to help mitigate the losses in death, injury and property damage from such events.

When asked if there is more seismic activity recently, McNutt said, "Well, yes. I think we do sense that there is a lot happening right now. I mean, I think the people at the USGS just wish we'd sort of have a break right now, with a major earthquake in January and now one in February.

"We do know that earthquakes are not completely randomly distributed in space as well as time. And this does seem to be a sort of active period. But if you look at it through the lens of geologic time, it does average out."

The Earth's plates are in constant motion, said Dr. McNutt, so seismic shifts of this magnitude are expected to happen on an irregular basis. The quake occurred at the interface of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates (which are converging at a rate of 80 mm a year), when the sea floor slides underneath the South American continent.

Coastal Chile has experienced 13 quakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater since 1973. The largest earthquake ever recorded by instrument, in May 1960, happened here when a 9.5-magnitude event killed 1,655 people and generated tsunami waves that killed dozens more across the Pacific. Central Chile also experienced an 8.5-mag. earthquake in November 1922, which killed several hundred and created a 30-foot tsunami.

At some point, Dr. McNutt said, the United States will have a quake, perhaps not as large as Chile's, but just as devastating because of population density.

Every time one of these disasters hits, we have to use it to better prepare ourselves, said Dr. McNutt. This quake in Chile is so very much like a disaster that could hit us, because Chile is a well-prepared country, just like the U.S., with good building codes.

Scientists have said that the energy released by Saturday's quake is 500 times that released by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti. But Chileans benefited from the fact that the coastal epicenter of the quake was located just off-shore, and much further down under the sea bed.

Also beneficial was Chile's infrastructure. Although half a million homes were damaged, buildings survived in much better condition than did Haiti's, thanks to stringent building codes.

"While the earthquake in Chile was a little deeper, we are talking about an absolutely massive earthquake compared to the one in Port-au-Prince," said Dr. McNutt. "And had the buildings in Chile been built to the standards of the ones in Haiti, that massive earthquake would have caused untold destruction.

(USGS)

(Left: A map of aftershocks recorded through Sunday, February 28, 2010, following Saturday's 8.8-mag. earthquake that struck coastal Chile.)

"The good news there is, with the building codes they had in Chile, they are going come out so much better than would have been the case. That is basically what we're seeing coming out of Chile, is that the vast majority of the buildings did stand."

Chile's transportation infrastructure took a big hit, as seen in the collapsed bridges and highways.

It should be a wake-up call to the U.S., noted Dr. McNutt, given the fragile state of America's infrastructure even before a quake.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's 2008 report on the state of our highways found that nearly 14% of the nation's bridges are "functionally obsolete," with another 12% "structurally deficient."

Our Nation's Highways: 2008 (DOT)


More Quake Coverage:
Chile Quake Toll Doubles to Over 700 Dead
Lessons Learned Limited Building Damage
Chile Quake Doesn't Compare to 1960 Horror
Hawaii's 1960 Tsunami
Geophysicist: Chile Shock Released 500x Energy of Haiti Quake
Images From Chile Earthquake
Video: Chile in a "State of Catastrophe"

[erb0087]

"Big Quake Coming For U.S.?"

Ask the Quakers.

[cbsblogger]

There are already promising technologies on earthquake prediction that receives hardly any support from our government. Instead we fritter away trillions on frivolous wars.

[JavMD]

a quake will NOT happen here. We are a good country with much religious people and pray and helping. The Lord would not unleash his rath on us.

Well maybe in California where the liberals and democrats are concentrated.

Just like in history.. you better move out of town and do not look back or you'll turn to stone!

The TV series LOST is all about good and evil and evil is WINNING

[Regats]

re:
"a quake will NOT happen here. We are a good country with much religious people and pray and helping. The Lord would not unleash his rath(sic) on us"


What an ignorant and idiotic comment!
Then WHY is that the most serious natural disasters like floods and hurricanes seem to be most devastating in the Bible belt states?

Actually, your invisible friend has nothing to do with it.

[skipponder]

this is probably all the more reason as to why a huge quake will hit The United States of America. Idiotic, self-centered, self-righteous, condescending people like you think that some how some God thinks that American people are better than other people around the rest of the world to the point to where, God decided to punish these people for nothing simply because they are not' Christian Americans'.

You probably should look at these other earthquakes as smaller warnings for the big one that is going to bring your self righteous behind down to your knees.

You are criminally insane.

[rwsmith29456]

It seems to me that major earthquakes are becoming more common all around the world. The epicenter of the last major quake that hit this area around 1900 is about one mile from my house. Not a very secure feeling.

[stn_sage]

Ob course, an earthquake will get around to striking the USA!
Why, I can hear the angels now, strumming their HAARPs in warning!
But, in spite of it, I'll be looking for the rainbows in the clouds
when this too shall pass! Amen.

[P0ST1ING_AWAY]

by Wolfear March 1, 2010 4:29 PM EST
It amazes me that out of 5 million spermotozoa yours was the smartest and fastest.
=========================================================
Little minds are amazed by the simplest things .....

[Wolfear]

Wow... that was really witty. Think that up all by yourself did you?

[davidbthelen]

People should stock up on supplies for all natural and man made disasters. We are at high risk of flooding this spring all over this nation due to the extra snow on the ground melting. I am afraid for even worse weather (i.e. tornados) this spring. We may long for the days of the more gentle winter storms before spring hits. Then there are the risks of another major earthquake in places like California.
I hope this major earthquake in Chile will motivate others to stock up on supplies before the next disaster of all kinds hit in your area. There are two good websites to find a list of supplies to stock up on. They are:

www.ready.gov
www.redcrossstore.org

With all this snow, we are at higher risk of flooding in many parts of this nation in the spring. The following is a good website to prepare people for the floods.

www.floodsmart.gov

Another good website to read is the following.

www.firesafety.gov

Finally, many people may not be able to afford emergency supplies. Is there a way the Red Cross can donate items such as smoke alarms, emergency radios, bottled water and first aid kits to people at places such as food banks before these various disasters occur?
We cannot control Mother Nature; however we can prepare for these disasters by stocking up on emergency supplies...

[JavMD]

do u sell supplies by chance or were u once a boy scout.

[erich_1-2009]

I am impressed how well Chile was prepared for a major earthquake.
Good job folks!

P.S. A least it was a post that had to do with the article...not a comment from a looney Left or Right Winger.

[JV1970]

This last Saturday there was a 4+ magnitude earthquake at Sparks, Oklahoma near Oklahoma City. There have been several in Oklahoma just this year. This was the most powerful. The others were in the same area and were in the 3 range. Oklahoma is in an area not generally known for earthquakes. If they can happen in Oklahoma they can happen anywhere!

[likeitbe]

by NowBeWithThat Whether it's a terrorist attack or a 7.0 earthquake, America is long overdue for a major disaster wake-up call.
_____________________________________________________________________

We've already had a "major disaster wakeup call"....his name is Obamie!!

[the74blaster]

Actually "Obamie" is just a small after shock to the 10.0 quake with an epicenter calld george Bush!

[Wolfear]

It amazes me that out of 5 million spermotozoa yours was the smartest and fastest.