Earthquake Risk Program Offered

Earthquake Risk Program Offered

NU Online News Service, Dec. 15, 12:48 p.m. EST?The Missouri Seismic Safety Commission said a free program on earthquake risk with model demonstrations and talks by geology experts will be held Feb. 3, 2005 in St. Louis.[@@]

Titled "Earthquakes: Mean Business!" the half-day informational program will offer information in layman's terms about earthquake risk in the central U.S. and how it affects the private sector. The event is sponsored by the Center for Earthquake Research & Information, at the University of Memphis.

The sessions will be held at the AmerenUE headquarters, 1901 Chouteau. Doors will open at 8:00 am and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m.

To attend the program, participants must advise Mike Marx (mmarx@ameren.com) of their name and affiliation no later than close of business on Feb.2, 2005.

Earthquake Awareness Week is recognized annually during the first week in February.

Speakers for the program include David Applegate of the U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Va. Dr. Applegate will describe the overall earthquake hazard in the central U.S. and how national policymakers have responded to the risk posed to the private sector.

Eugene Schweig of the U.S. Geological Survey, Memphis, will report on the status and plans for the St. Louis Area Earthquake Hazards Mapping Project. The project is enlisting the input and endorsement of the users who will ultimately benefit most from the project maps and Internet-accessible database.

Program planners said there will be a demonstration of how earthquake waves affect different types of structures by Gary Patterson, of the Center for Earthquake Research & Information. Mr. Patterson will simulate various effects of earthquakes of differing size, location and other characteristics on model structures, they said.

David Rogers, from the University of Missouri at Rolla, will discuss how distant earthquakes can affect structures. Dr. Rogers will describe his research for the Federal Highway Administration.

Michael Griffin, from ABS Consulting, St. Louis, is scheduled to give a presentation on non-structural earthquake damage to building contents. Recent examples will show earthquake damage to office operations, manufacturing, mainframe and utility back-up systems, inventory, and facility access.

The program will include time for questions from the audience and opportunities to speak directly with presenters. Complimentary refreshments also will be provided.