Anyone concerned about earthqauakes?

[Hawkeye48]

With the permafrost melting are the earthquakes causing more damage?

[JavaPhil]

Couldn't say. Most of our quakes are just barely noticeable, and it's not like we have real permafrost here in South Central. Anchorage is a seismic zone 4 area, and the geology is dirt on top of rock, which is why we had such a large shift in the '64 quake. The dirt slid on top of the rock.

[warptman]

Its amazing on how a few shows on the tv state that the whole permafrost is melting. It can't be melting across the whole state. I wonder if they only went to one part where they saw it happening and went all eco on everyone. Earthquakes, can't worry about them too much, when they happen they happen, we're just along for the ride.

[Glitch]

Approximately 85% of Alaska is covered by permafrost. Earthquakes in permafrost regions are far less of a concern than volcanoes in permafrost regions.


Alaska Permafrost Map

When magma reaches permafrost it erupts explosively creating large maars (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/maar.html - broken link). There are more than 40 active volcanoes that have erupted in the last 200 years, and more than half the Alaskan population lives within 100 miles of an active volcano. So while earthquakes are more frequent, volcanoes are a bigger concern.

[Arcticthaw]

Since about half the population lives in Anchorage, then add Keni and the surounding areas. Then Anchorage is within 100 miles of several active volcanoes.

As for earth quakes look at the photos of Anchorage after the Good Friday 1964 earthquake. If they have anotherone there are several places that are low lying and sitting on silt that will be gone.

[Rance]

I live within 100 miles of 4 active volcanoes. I've seen 3 of the 4 go off. I got here to late to experience the 64 quake...but have been in a few good rumblers over the years. I like both. It's like a good snow storm. Everything just shuts down and everyone digs in to get things up and running again. Nothing better than a good natural disaster!

[Glitch]

Herein lies the difference between the lower-48 and Alaska:

Lower-48 Natural Disaster Victim: "Where is my government entitlement?!?"
Alaskan Natural Disaster Victim: "Where is my #%$&@ shovel?!?"

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Herein lies the difference between the lower-48 and Alaska:

Lower-48 Natural Disaster Victim: "Where is my government entitlement?!?"
Alaskan Natural Disaster Victim: "Where is my #%$&@ shovel?!?"

pretty much sums it up perfectly....

[Daniel_T]

I lived in Anchorage for 14 years and was there when we had our 7.9 quake in November of 2002. I was 13 at the time. I remember everything started shaking and it was getting stronger and stronger.It lasted a long time. the trees in my aunts yard we swaying back and forth and things were falling off the walls and out of the cupboards. I was terrified. I have felt many earthquakes when I lived in Alaska and this one was the worst. Thankfully, they don't happen that often.

Mostly you will get a quick one that you can feel but isn't that strong enough to cause any damage.

By the way, anyone have video of that quake. I want to show some people here in Arizona what is was like.

Daniel_T

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Daniel_T

I lived in Anchorage for 14 years and was there when we had our 7.9 quake in November of 2002. I was 13 at the time. I remember everything started shaking and it was getting stronger and stronger.It lasted a long time. the trees in my aunts yard we swaying back and forth and things were falling off the walls and out of the cupboards. I was terrified. I have felt many earthquakes when I lived in Alaska and this one was the worst. Thankfully, they don't happen that often.

Mostly you will get a quick one that you can feel but isn't that strong enough to cause any damage.

By the way, anyone have video of that quake. I want to show some people here in Arizona what is was like.

Daniel_T

I remember that quake. I was also surprised by the duration. Where I was living in Anchorage at the time it shook for 1 minute 50 seconds, but caused no damage. Others have told me that they felt it for more than 2 minutes. I have learned since then that it was not just one quake, but several.

http://www.parrinspections.com/graphics/AlaskaRoad.jpg (broken link)