Tips for dealing with tremors
Forces of nature happen often throughout the United States and around the world. Florida and New Orleans have experienced the wrath of hurricanes, Hawaii has its share of volcanoes, Texas has the highest number of tornado occurrences and California experiences a fair amount of earthquakes.
Closer to home, the Jemez Mountain area also experiences earthquakes, including one earlier this month. According to Laboratory seismic program manager Doug Volkman, a magnitude 2.2 earthquake occurred August 7 on the Caja Del Rio Plateau, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) south of White Rock.
According to Volkman of Design Engineering Services (FME-DES), the Jemez Mountains area is no stranger to these small earthquakes. “The area is located in an active earthquake zone, known as the Pajarito Fault System and the Rio Grande Rift,” Volkman said. The August 7 earthquake was the tenth recorded in the same vicinity since 2002, he said.
Volkman said there are no known reports of the earthquake being felt and no known damage associated with this earthquake.
However, to put a perspective on major earthquake activity in Los Alamos, scientists from Environmental Geology and Spatial Analysis (EES-9) have uncovered faulting associated with three magnitude seven events over the last 11,000 years. The problem with earthquakes though is that they are unpredictable. The next major earthquake could happen at any time.
The Lab’s Seismic Program, through the efforts of staff in Environmental Geology and Spatial Analysis (EES-9), conducts paleoseismic field studies of faulting in Los Alamos. Staff members in Geophysics (EES-11) maintain a network of sensitive motion seismograph field stations. Motion data received by these field stations is used to determine the magnitude and location of earthquake activity in the vicinity of Los Alamos. Strong motion seismograph equipment is monitored. These instruments are located in key facilities at the Laboratory, as required by Department of Energy Order 420.1B. The equipment is used to verify the magnitude of larger earthquakes at the site to enable Laboratory management to know if facilities are operating within their safety basis.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided these safety tips for people who may experience a destructive earthquake.
To prepare for an earthquake
Check for hazards in work areas
• Fasten shelves securely to walls
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves
• Store breakable items, such as glass containers in closed cabinets
Identify safe places indoors
• Under sturdy furniture
• Against a wall
• Stay away from places where glass could shatter
During an earthquake
If indoors
• Drop to the ground, and take cover by getting under a sturdy piece of furniture.
• Hold on until the shaking stops.
• Stay away from windows.
• Stay away from unsecured furniture that can fall.
If outdoors
• Stay there
• Move away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires
If in a moving vehicle
• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle
• Avoid stopping near buildings, trees and utility wires
• Avoid roads or canyon sites near rock walls
After an earthquake
Emergency Response (ER) Division will initiate Laboratory response activities, including an engineering safety assessment of Lab buildings and structures. However, immediately following an earthquake, employees should be aware of the following:
• Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves can be strong enough to cause additional damage to weakened structures.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Stay away from damaged areas.
• Expect lights and electric power to be out.
For more information, contact Volkman at 7-6238.
