by Luke Loranger |
Ask anyone from the Olympia area if they remember the 2001 Nisqually earthquake and they will respond with wide eyes and a long winded story explaining what they were doing when the earthquake hit. How could they forget? For years following the earthquake, sections of the sidewalk in Olympia were so damaged that jagged peaks formed in the pavement.
But this earthquake was relatively small compared to the Cascadia Earthquake that is predicted to hit the Pacific Northwest region within the next 50 years.
Most predictions surrounding the 8.8–9.0 magnitude Cascadia earthquake state that water, food and gas will be limited for an extended period of time. The Cascadia Region Working Group estimates that it could be months before all running water is returned to normal and days before electricity and natural gas return to “inland locations.” After the earthquake occurs, major roadways will be impassable and the PDX airport will be entirely out of commision.
Are the buildings at UP at risk?
The biggest fear for many is the safety of buildings, including dorm and academic buildings on The Bluff and much of downtown Portland. Many old buildings on The Bluff have not been retrofitted in case of an earthquake, a problem that’s not unique to UP.
“Every university, company, city and county is playing catch up,” Robert Butler, earthquake expert and geophysics professor, said. “All institutions should evaluate which buildings are least earthquake resistant. (This should start) at the dorms.”
These include places such as Shipstad Hall, which has not seen renovations since it was built in 1967. The buildings that have been retrofitted occurred after a major renovation, like those that occurred in the Clark Library or the Bauccio Commons.
“Unreinforced masonry will not do well in an earthquake. An example of this would be Howard Hall,” Butler said. “Howard Hall was built to the construction methods of the time. Nobody had a clue that we had the degree of earthquake hazard in the Pacific Northwest that we now know we have.”
Butler said he would like to see the University make a commitment to earthquake resilience, and believes safety measures could be drastically improved within the next 25 years.
In addition, the majority of the brick buildings in downtown Portland do not have reinforcement, meaning they will crumble if the predicted earthquake occurs. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, in the event of an earthquake, more than 50 percent of the bridges in Oregon are “likely to collapse or be taken or potentially be taken out of use.”
How will UP react immediately following an earthquake?
According to environmental officer for Public Safety, Jeff Rook, the first priority for UP after a major earthquake will be to treat the injured and assess whether buildings can be reoccupied. The Chiles Center has been designated a mass carepoint facility with Multnomah County Health. This allows it to become a field hospital or triage center if needed, a Federal Emergency Management Area (FEMA) and American Red Cross shelter location.
UP also has a FEMA trailer in Physical Plant that includes shelter and emergency response supplies including gloves, vests, helmets and other emergency equipment, as well as a large inflatable shelter.
UP has a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class that includes live practice with this equipment. The class is open to anyone in the UP community and is offered every semester.
How can students prepare?
Despite some predicted details, the full effects of a large scale earthquake on UP are largely unknown and it is likely that off-campus students would be on their own in the days after the earthquake.
“Disaster preparedness starts on a personal level,” Rook said. “If you are living off campus, start building a kit. Have a couple gallons of water set aside, as well as cans of food. If you can avoid going to the store for the next two weeks, you are in a good position.”
On-campus students, should also prepare to have backup food and water. Multnomah County Emergency Management also suggests having a small supply of cash and backup financial and identification forms on a flashdrive. According to Rook, UP has food for 4,000 students that will last three days, but past large earthquakes, such as the 8.8 earthquake that occurred in Chile in 2010, have shown that individual planning should be for one to two weeks.
In the event that an earthquake occurs, students should immediately drop under a table and cover their head, and hold on until the shaking stops.
After a large earthquake, telephone lines in Portland will likely be jammed, limiting communication within the city. Students should set up an emergency contact outside of the state in addition to their parents.
Luke Loranger is a reporter for the Beacon and can reached at loranger18@up.edu or on Twitter @loranger18.
What to have in a “Dollar Store” earthquake kit?
Water Bottles
Garbage Bags
Water containers (4 for $1)
Instructions for what do in Emergency (Found at Red Cross)
Flashlight
Toothbrush
Candles/Waterproof Matches
Hand warmers
Plastic Containers
Shampoo
Ties
Gloves
Scissors
Poncho
Extra Warm Clothes
Toiletries
Aspirin
Rubbing Alcohol
Flash Drive (with important documents)
Knife
Whistle/Compass
What to do immediately following an earthquake:
Drop to the ground and grab a desk or table. If those cannot be found, find an interior wall and grab head and neck with your arms. If you are in bed, hold on and cover your head with a pillow.
Do not try and move outside or into a doorway.
Hold on to whatever object you are grasping, such as a desk. After the earthquake stops, move carefully because aftershocks may occur, as well as objects that may block your path.
