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What You Should Know About Earthquake Aftershocks

Cracked and peeling white wall with visible damage, exposing underlying material in some areas.

While large earthquakes can be incredibly destructive, did you know that the aftershocks can actually end up causing more damage and destruction? Though the initial earthquake is usually more powerful and devastating, aftershocks can often cause more damage and pose a greater risk than the original quake. In this post, we discuss what an aftershock […]

A Detailed Look At Seismic Retrofitting

A cutaway diagram of a house basement shows labeled retrofit components: anchors, insulation, shear walls, framing brackets, post and beam, water heater, gas valve, and chimney, with descriptions and numbers for each part.

A seismic retrofit is an important process that can help protect a home or building from the damage caused by an earthquake. Seismic retrofitting involves strengthening the structure of a building so that it can better withstand seismic activity. In this post, we discuss in detail all the steps of the seismic retrofitting process. 8 […]

Common Braces Used In A Seismic Retrofit Project

Close-up of a wooden wall frame with vertical studs, anchored to a concrete foundation using metal bolts and square washers. Perforated black material is attached to the lower section.

When it comes to seismic retrofitting, one of the most important steps is to secure your building with the right type of braces. These braces are designed to help keep your building in place during an earthquake and can be used to reinforce load-bearing walls and other structural elements that are prone to seismic activity. […]

Valdivia: The World’s Most Severe Earthquake on Record

Collapsed building with rubble, broken wood, and stones scattered around after a disaster. The sky is overcast, and parts of the damaged structure are still visible above the debris.

The largest earthquake ever recorded happened on May 22nd, 1960 near Valdivia, Chile. The earthquake measured an incredible 9.5 on the Richter scale, making it the largest ever recorded. It was a tectonic earthquake, which means it originated from within Earth’s crustal plates. This earthquake caused immense destruction and loss of life throughout the region. […]

The Earthquake Richter Scale Explained

A red seismograph waveform forms the number 7 at its center, with a pen on the left drawing the lines on graph paper, symbolizing a magnitude 7 earthquake.

The Richter Scale is a measurement of the magnitude of an earthquake and is used to determine the intensity and destruction of an earthquake. Developed in the 1930s by Dr. Charles Richter, the scale is based on the amplitude of seismic waves, which is the energy released during an earthquake. The Richter Scale is divided […]

Most Common Ways Earthquakes Cause Damage

Three house icons show damage types: Racking (tilted with arrows), Sliding (shifted sideways), and Overturning (tipped over with an arrow). Title reads: “How Earthquakes Cause Damage.”.

Earthquakes can cause significant damage to buildings, bridges, and other structures. Much of the damage is caused by ground shaking, which can cause structures to vibrate, sway, and twist, leading to cracking and other structural damage. Earthquakes can also cause other forms of damage, such as racking, sliding, and overturning. Racking is the process of […]

Recent Earthquakes Near Seattle

Diagram showing Cascadia earthquake sources: subduction zone, deep Juan de Fuca plate, and crustal faults, with affected areas in WA, OR, CA, max magnitudes, and recurrence intervals. Map and cross-section included.

Image Source: USGS The Pacific Northwest has seen a surge in seismic activity in recent years, with Seattle at the center of it all. Since the beginning of 2020, the Seattle area has experienced four significant earthquakes. While the quakes did not result in any serious damage, the tremors have been felt throughout the region […]

A Short Guide To The Different Types Of Earthquakes

A man stands by a red Volkswagen car crushed by bricks from a collapsed building facade after an apparent earthquake; debris covers the street.

Earthquakes are natural disasters that can cause incredible destruction, and there are a variety of types that can occur. Depending on the type of earthquake, they can cause different levels of destruction, and they can also occur in different regions of the world. Let’s take a look at the different types of earthquakes and their […]

The Destructive History of Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest

Black and white photo of a construction site in a city. Workers walk among machinery, including cranes and trucks, with tall buildings in the background. The ground is muddy and scattered with construction materials.

The Pacific Northwest is no stranger to earthquakes. The region has seen some of the most powerful earthquakes in the United States, many of which have caused significant damage and disruption. Here we’ll look at some of the biggest earthquakes that have occurred in the Pacific Northwest and the destruction they caused. The most powerful […]