Earth-shaking discoveries

March 26, 2009 by Sai P Mohan 

UNLV earthquake studies could help Southern Nevada prepare for future tectonic activity

One UNLV initiative is shaking up the world of geological research.

Earthquake research, an initiative taken by UNLV to consider and evaluate the hazard and risk due to earthquakes in Southern Nevada. It is a multi-disciplinary project involving researchers from  geotechnical engineering, geology, structural engineering and seismology.

The project deals with finding active faults that cause earthquakes and understanding the flow of energy through bedrock effects buildings.

When the research is complete, the project will yield a three-dimensional seismic hazard map that will aid future planners in Southern Nevada.

The United States Department of Energy has been funding the project since 2006, through grants totaling $3 million.

“Las Vegas is built on a very deep deposit of sediments, so it is prone to earthquakes,” said Barbara Luke, director of the applied geophysics center at UNLV.

Luke’s research involves understanding the stiffness of the ground, studying the amplifications of ground motion and refining the ground motion expectation around the Las Vegas valley through simulation.

“The impact of earthquakes must be understood so that people can be prepared,” said Chris Cothrun, a geophysical research associate who has been a part of this project for two years.

Cothrun explained the efforts his team puts up in exploring and collecting data at various locations in the Las Vegas Valley.

Another important objective of the earthquake research project is to assess and improve the state of preparedness of the area’s population and structures for the next big earthquake.

“Outreach is one very important aspect of this project,” Luke said, explicating the importance of spreading awareness regarding earthquakes.

Part of the project is educating the general public about what they can do to improve their chances of survival during and after an earthquake.

“We participate in workshops and community fairs and try to educate people about earthquakes and safety measures they have to take during an earthquake,” said Stacey Fish, outreach director and project administrator.

Fish said the workshops cover behavior of structures during earthquakes, methods to protect your home and community, and precautions to be taken during and after earthquakes.

Attendees of the workshops get to observe a computerized “shake table,” which simulates ground motion during an earthquake and offers a chance to observe the effects on buildings and their contents.

Samples of preparedness kits and home retrofitting techniques are also demonstrated for the visitors.

“The public has become aware and are showing good interest for our sessions,” Fish said, explaining the growing demand for their workshops.

Some of the safety tips include creating a family earthquake plan, preparing an emergency disaster kit and following the drop, cover and hold method.

UNLV’s earthquake research is being conducted in collaboration with the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and Washington State University.