NATURE
Where are earthquakes most likely to hit in the US? New map shows most probable locations
New York was shaken on Friday morning by a quake that registered 4.8 on the Richter Scale, but where does the region sit in the most vulnerable areas?
Destructive earthquakes could shake almost 75% of the United States, according to research conducted by a team of more than 50 scientists and engineers led by the US Geological Survey. This report is brought back to mind as New York and the surrounding area feels the effects of a quake on Friday 5 April.
Mayor Adams along with other officials gave a speech just after noon about the earthquake. He said New York residents should go about their normal day.
The above percentage is one of the major findings of the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model which was updated for all 50 states using new science. The scientists used the model to create a color-coded map that could more easily illustrate which areas are more vulnerable to earthquakes in the next hundred years.
Where are earthquakes most likely to hit in the US?
Although today’s focus was on the east coats, unsurprisingly, California was identified was a high-risk area for experiencing damaging tremors. The state sits on the San Andreas fault, which is associated with a high level of seismic activity.
Earthquakes along the fault have the potential to be significant and, in some cases, highly destructive. The movement along the fault releases accumulated stress and energy, resulting in earthquakes. The San Andreas Fault system generates thousands of small tremors in California each year, but many of them are not strong enough to be felt.
How risky is the East Coast for quakes?
The updated map also puts the focus on eastern parts of the US, including Washington DC, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Seismic experts have found that these areas are also at risk of experiencing damaging quakes, as demonstrated on Friday.
There are also chances of earthquakes hitting Alaska, and an increased potential for tremors in Hawaii due to the volcanic activity present in the state. The map is an update of the last version produced in 2018, and used both historical data and new geological science.
The National Seismic Hazard Model aims to produce a standard of practice for public policy and other engineering applications so as to have a starting point for assessing, planning for, and minimizing the effects of future earthquakes in the country.