Sci 300 - Big Ideas in Science: From Methods to Mutation

Energy Safety

Lisa Anderson

Kaplan University

SC300-22 Big Ideas in Science: From Methods to Mutation

James Fuller

3-27-2011

Earthquakes are one of the most natural things I can think of and they have caused damage by, destroying homes, properties, and lives. An Earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another (Wald).

According to the data on the National Seismic Hazard Maps, earthquakes are a serious threat in the United States. Such areas like western Oregon and Washington, the new maps contain higher estimates for how hard the ground will shake compared to an earlier version of the map released in 1996 and 2002 (Science Daily). The ground shaking estimates for the U.S. are lower. The National Seismic Hazards maps consist of a series of databases that describes ground shaking at many points across the country (Science Daily). These maps were generated by USGS scientists, state governments, and other private sector employees for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (Science Daily).

There are many at risk areas on the west coast of the United States, mainly in the location of California and small amounts in the lower parts of the southeast territories of the United States. Along with California, South Carolina also has a unique danger area for seismic activity. It seems high seismic activity occurs on the edges like near the ocean or nearing the middle of the country. It would appear that Canada or New Mexico, do not have much seismic energy at all and therefore, no fear of danger.

In regards to the National Hazard map the light blue color is used to label most, if not the entire state. In locating my residential area on the map I live in an area that is suspect to an earthquake but the area does not have them. This would leave the residents of Waterloo, IA which is my hometown at low risks for earthquakes (United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Earthquakes are appearing in different parts of the world on a daily basis. According to the USGS map most Earthquakes occurred in the Pacific Ocean, but only along the edges of the land masses of Asia, Australia, and North America. There were only about five earthquakes that occurred that were surrounded by water and away from land. There is also a pattern in the size of the earthquakes and their locations. Larger earthquakes are seen along the edges or around Australia and some on the edge of north, eastern Asia.

A region that was affected by an earthquake was the region of Eastern Sichuan, China. The magnitude for this region was recorded at 5.0.

The red areas of the seismic activity map indicate where earthquakes