(Reuters) – The U.S. Geological Survey said sixteen states are at high risk of damaging earthquakes over the next 50 years and some areas face a higher threat than previously thought. The western United States faces a high risk of damaging earthquakes on the coast and intermountain region, and the California cities of San Jose, Vallejo and San Diego all saw a heightened threat, as new faults have been discovered. But the cities of Irvine, Santa Barbara and Oakland had their threats downgraded.
It also upgraded the risks facing parts of the central and eastern United States, singling out areas near New Madrid, Missouri, and Charleston, South Carolina. Scientists did however lower the threat facing New York City, as slow-shaking quakes which impact taller buildings are considered less likely.
The 16 states with the highest risk are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The survey noted a spike in earthquakes over magnitude 3, potentially driven by hydraulic fracturing in states like Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Researchers said that planners there should consider a higher shaking potential given the increased seismic activity.
The maps are based on over a century of earthquake data. The last assessments were published in 2008 and updated to account for new scientific modeling. (Report by Curtis Skinner; Edited by Corrin Trowbridge) For information contact us on our website: http://www.farmersagent.com/ctrowbridge
