Earthquake

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response

Overview, Impact and Healthcare/Critical Infrastructure

Key Resources (CIKR)

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Background Information

• An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of plates beneath the earth’s surface.

• As the rocks move past each other, they occasionally stick along the faults, causing a gradual buildup of energy or strain.

• This energy is abruptly released in the form of seismic waves, which travel away from the earthquake’s source.

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Magnitude, Intensity And Severity

Indicator Measurement What does it measure?

Magnitude Richter Scale Energy Released

IntensityPeak Ground Acceleration (PGA)

Ground Shaking (Surface Perception)

SeverityMercalli Modified Index (MMI)

Damage

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Richter and Mercalli

Richter Magnitude Scale Typical Maximum MMI1.0 to 3.0 I3.0 to 3.9 II to III4.0 to 4.9 IV to V5.0 to 5.9 VI to VII6.0 to 6.9 VII to IX

7.0 and Higher VIII or Higher

MMI Damage/PerceptionI 1. Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions

V 1. Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened2. Some dishes, windows broken3. Unstable objects overturned

VII1. Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction2. Slight to moderate damage in well-built ordinary structures3. Considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures

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Peak Ground Acceleration

• Most damage and loss caused by an earthquake is directly or indirectly the result of ground shaking.

• We can identify the areas, structures, and systems with highest risk and ultimately help reduce those risks.

Mapping of geographic distribution of ground shaking (PGA) in New York. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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Seismic History - Northeast

Ramapo Fault

Earthquakes in the USA Northeast and Canada border area. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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NYC Faults

• Mosholu Parkway fault

• Dyckman Street fault

• Manhattan's 125th Street fault

What does this mean to us?

NYC Faults and Disaster Relevant Facilities. Source: http://nymag.com/news/articles/08/06/GeographyofDisaster/map.html

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NYC Soil Geologic Composition

Types of soils in New York. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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Manhattan Soil Composition

NEHRP Soil classifications in Manhattan. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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Impact

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Impact – Building Composition

Types of buildings in Manhattan. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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Impact – Building Damage

Expected Structural Damage in Manhattan. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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Impact – Injuries and Casualties

• Why do people get injured?

• How are injuries and casualties estimated?

• How many injuries and casualties are likely to be recorded?

Injuries (Left) and Casualties (Right) Estimates for Different Earthquake Scenarios. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources(CIKRs)

• Assets, systems, networks, and functions—physical or virtual—so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating impact to the country.

• Defined by the Department of Homeland Security

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CIKR – Healthcare & Public HealthToxic Release

Hazardous Materials Sites. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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CIKR – Transportation

Debris quantity in Manhattan in three different earthquake scenarios. Source: http://www.nycem.org/techdocs/FinalReport/03-SP02p.pdf

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CIKR – WaterCombined sewer system

Threats:

Heavy Rainfall

Snowmelt

Hurricane

Earthquake

Aging Infrastructure

Vulnerability

Impact

Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)

Combined Sewer Overflow. Source: http://blog.seattlepi.com/capitolhill/2011/04/07/capitol-hill%E2%80%99s-sewer-overflow/

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CIKR – Water (cont’d)

Figure : NYC Sewer Outflows and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Source: http://sebagocanoeclub.blogspot.com/2011/07/collective-map-of-sewage-outflowsfyi.html

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Challenges & Lessons Observed • Insurance Coverage

• Planning for earthquakes is essential in seismically active regions

• Develop and maintain an earthquake plan that will be constantly updated

• Development of urban search and rescue resources is essential

• The need for a fail-safe emergency communication system to manage both information and resources

• Lack of standardized emergency management planning policies and operational procedures can worsen the outcome of an event

• This is why OEPR with the assistance of subject matter experts have prepared a threat response guide to define DOHMH’s role and responsibilities for an earthquake

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