Why are these faults more dangerous than the ones around the Pacific Ocean?
The answer lies within the crust. In area, such as California, the
crust is used to constant movement. The rock has already been broken up, and huge devistation will not occur from a earthquake. Now look where St. Louis is located. The rock is solid and unconsolidated, and even if a small earthquake would occur, massive amounts of damage will occur. On the picture to the right, it shows the effect of equivalent earthquakes in different regions.The last time that an earthquake has occurred was in 1811-1812. Three of the most powerful earthquakes that the nation has ever experienced occured within these years. By the amount of displacement of sedimentary layers, scientists have concluded that the eruptions measured to be a magnitude 8.
Scientists estimate that there is a 90% change that there will be an earthquake of at least a 6 magnitude within the next 50 years. That means that most of us will live to see this phenomenal event.
What's so catastrophic about an earthquake? California experiences them all the time!
This is true, but California has building codes. They reinforce all the homes, businesses, and pipes so they can withstand an earthquake. The St. Loius area, however, has just started reinforcing buildings. All the building made out of brick will collapse almost instantaneously. Bridges over the Ohio river will be destroyed, and all the pipes underground will be broken. Not to mention, fires will likely start from the earthquake, and there will be no water lines to put them out. The phone and electricity lines will be destroyed, and huge devistation in this area, along with neighboring states, will occur.
Moral of the story: DO NOT BUY A HOUSE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA!
3 comments:
If the scientists say that a massive earthquake won't occur until another 50 years then, St. Louis would still have time to reinforce most of their buildings, pipelines, and monuments throughout most of the city. Doing these small, but probably very costly, improvements to St. Louis would most likely lessen the effects of the earthquake if indeed it did occur in the next 50 years or so.
This is very interesting. I believe that more attention needs to be brought to this subject. With the amount of damage it could cause it should be a high priority to address this issue. Fifty years is enough time to try and make safer buildings. I believe that Missouri and the states that would be effected by the earthquake should adopt more of the safety codes that California has. It would be better safe thatn sorry!
I do believe more attention needs to be brought to the St. Louis area, and I find it very interesting that their earthquakes could cause that extreme amount of damage. One earthquake in St. Louis could potentially destroy the state of Missouri and give America another "Hurricane Katrina" incident!
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