UC Davis experts: Earthquakes

The University of California, Davis, has experts available to discuss earthquake-related topics. The following researchers can provide assistance in the subject areas listed.

When the ground shifts

One of the most destructive consequences of earthquakes on waterfront communities is a process known as "liquefaction," by which the earthquake's shaking motion actually transforms saturated soil into liquid. As demonstrated in the San Francisco area's 1989 Loma Prieta quake, liquefaction can play havoc with buildings, water systems, utility pipelines and transportation systems. Two UC Davis faculty members study liquefaction and other ground responses to earthquakes.

Ross Boulanger, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, combines field observations and measurements with laboratory work to create predictive conceptual and physical models of liquefaction risk. These can be translated into computational models. His research involves use of UC Davis' very large centrifuge (see separate entry in this list) and visiting earthquake sites around the world, including Loma Prieta (1989), Northridge (1994), Kobe (1995), Turkey and Taiwan (1999). In Turkey and Taiwan, Boulanger was among a select group of geotechnical experts sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Contact: Ross Boulanger, Civil and Environmental Engineering, (530) 752-2947, rwboulanger@ucdavis.edu.
Kandiah Arulanandan, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, has researched liquefaction for the past 20 years. He has studied the relationship between soil structure and liquefaction in numerous earthquake sites including China, Japan and San Francisco. He uses electrical probes to quantify soil properties, computational methods, computer simulations and centrifuge tests to confirm his results. Contact: Kandiah Arulanandan, Civil and Environmental Engineering, (530) 752-0895, karulanandan@ucdavis.edu.

The California connection

Why does California have so many earthquakes, and so many big ones? UC Davis associate professor and seismologist Jim McClain can explain the basic role of tectonic plate activity in causing earthquakes around the world, California's hazardous location at the collision of two of those plates, and the reasons why the Central Valley is relatively protected from devastating earthquakes. Contact: Jim McClain, Geology, (530) 752-7093, mcclain@geology.ucdavis.edu.

Why earthquakes happen

Louise Kellogg is chair of the UC Davis geology department. She studies how the slow movement of rock deep in the Earth's interior drives the movement of tectonic plates, building mountains as well as causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Contact: Louise Kellogg, Geology, (530) 752-3690, kellogg@geology.ucdavis.edu.

Earthquakes in the West

By studying the structure and formation of the major mountain ranges of the western United States, the Andes and the Alpine-Himalayan system, geology professor Eldridge Moores explores how the Earth works and how the continents formed. His research also yields a better understanding of the hazard of future earthquakes in California. Moores was the central figure in John McPhee's 1992 book "Assembling California." Contact: Eldridge Moores, Geology, (530) 752-0352, moores@geology.ucdavis.edu.

Earthquakes in Latin America

UC Davis historian Chuck Walker is an expert on the history of catastrophes and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, in the Andes. He can talk about the historical politics of Latino natural disasters as well as the history of crime and violence in the region. Contact: Chuck Walker (fluent in Spanish), History, (530) 752-3865, cfwalker@ucdavis.edu.

Helping Government Protect the People

Geotechnical engineer I.M. Idriss has been involved in the follow-up evaluations and analyses of every major earthquake since the 1964 Alaska quake, including those for the San Fernando, Mexico City, Loma Prieta, Northridge and Kobe earthquakes. His geotechnical input is sought after by government agencies and advisory panels around the world. His research on the effects of earthquakes on soils, soil deposits and soil structures has contributed to the construction of dams, nuclear power plants, seaports, office buildings, hospitals and bridges around the world. Idriss was one of eight people named to the Governor's Board of Inquiry after the Loma Prieta earthquake. Contact: I.M. Idriss, Civil and Environmental Engineering, (530) 758-5739, imidriss@aol.com.

Simulating an Earthquake in the Laboratory

UC Davis is home to one of the world's largest geotechnical centrifuges, at the Geotechnical Modeling Facility. It consists of a testing table, capable of carrying loads of five tons, mounted on the end of a 30-foot-long arm. The assembly spins around at speeds up to 70 revolutions per minute, generating forces up to 50 times the force of gravity. When the desired speed is reached, the table is shaken to simulate intense earthquake shaking. Researchers from around the world use the facility to study geotechnical problems such as the strength, stiffness and capacity of foundations for bridges and buildings; settlement of embankments; stability of slopes; earth retaining structures; tunnel stability; ports and seawalls. Contact: Bruce Kutter, Civil and Environmental Engineering, (530) 752-8099, blkutter@ucdavis.edu.

Media contacts:
Andy Fell, News Service, (530) 752-4533, ahfell@ucdavis.edu

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Last updated January 22, 2004