Balance of risks and benefits in preparation for earthquakes
- Univ. of California, Berkeley (United States)
Widespread proposals to benefit form lessons of the 17 October 1989 (Loma Prieta) earthquake dramatize the difficulties associated with reducing seismic risk. There are three main problems. First, the understanding of earthquake generation is far form complete. For example, the unanticipated source style of this earthquake raises vital questions; claims of predicting its occurrence are weak, and, for practical reasons, the detailed pattern of damaging strong ground shaking was not predicted. Second, although their interactions are not well understood, competing social forces continue to prevent the optimum growth and application of knowledge for earthquake hazard mitigation. Third, the recent use of the probabilities of seismic risk has had mixed results. Because of indecision between minimizing loss of life and maximizing broader benefits, general agreement on acceptable earthquake risk remains confused.
- OSTI ID:
- 5891330
- Journal Information:
- Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 251:4990; ISSN SCIEA; ISSN 0036-8075
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
570000* -- Health & Safety
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CALIFORNIA
DAMAGE
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EARTHQUAKES
EMERGENCY PLANS
FORECASTING
GROUND MOTION
HAZARDS
INSURANCE
MITIGATION
MOTION
NORTH AMERICA
PROBABILITY
PUBLIC HEALTH
RISK ASSESSMENT
SEISMIC EFFECTS
SEISMIC EVENTS
USA
VARIATIONS