Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions about earthquakes that our patrons frequently ask us. We thought it would be useful to compile a variety of sources and documents that can help answer them. There are four categories, which are:
- General Earthquake Information
- Buildings, Structures, & Codes
- Earthquakes in New York State
- Additional Topics
General Earthquake Information
- What causes earthquakes?
- FEMA–Why Earthquakes Occur
- USGS–Earthquake, Fault Structures, Plate Tectonics, Earth Structure
- USGS–What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?
- Where do earthquakes usually occur?
- Government of British Columbia–Where do earthquakes occur?
- USGS–What is the relationship between faults and earthquakes?
- USGS–Where can I find information about faults in my area?
- Can we predict earthquakes?
- USGS FAQ–Can you predict earthquakes?
- USGS–Prediction
- USGS–Major Quake Likely to Strike San Francisco Bay Region
- How do I find an earthquake?
- USGS–Earthquake Search
- Can I be notified when an earthquake occurs anywhere in the world?
- USGS–Earthquake Notification Service (e-mail alerts)
- Can I be notified when a tsunami occurs anywhere in the world?
- ITIC–Tsunami Notification Service (e-mail alerts)
- How do we measure earthquakes?
- USGS–Measuring Earthquakes
- USGS–What is a seismometer? What are seismographs? How do they work?
- How can I locate seismic stations and networks throughout the world?
- The World Data Center for Seismology maintains a list of seismograph stations and networks that exist throughout the world.
- International Seismological Centre–International Registry of Seismograph Stations
- International Seismological Centre–complete list of seismograph stations listed alphabetically by code
- What are the effects of earthquakes?
- USGS–What are the effects of earthquakes?
- What is liquefaction?
- ATC–Liquefaction Maps (PDF)
- EERI–Earthquake Basics– Liquefaction: What it is and what to do about it (PDF)
- USGS–What is liquefaction ?
- University of Washington–Soil Liquefaction
- How can I prepare for an earthquake?
- American Red Cross–Earthquake
- FEMA–Earthquake
- USGS–Earthquake Preparedness
- How can I contact my state seismic safety board?
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency maintains lists of regional and state seismic safety agencies with links to their Web sites.
- Can I find lists of historic earthquakes and statistics?
- USGS–Historic Earthquakes & Earthquake Statistics
- What are the Most Deadly Disasters from 1970-2008?
- Swiss Re–40 Worst Loss of Life Catastrophes 1970-2008 Table 9 Slide 38
- What are the Most Expensive Disasters from 1970-2008?
- Swiss Re–40 Most Costly Disasters for Insurers 1970-2008 Table 8 Slide 37
- What is NEHRP?
- USGS–USGS Earthquake Hazards Program in NEHRP
Buildings, Structures, & Code
- How do earthquakes affect buildings?
- ATC–Building Safety & Earthquakes Briefing Paper 1, (PDF)
- Living Steel–Earthquakes and Earthquake Resistant Buildings
- MCEER–How do earthquakes affect buildings?
- How many structures in the United States currently employ base isolation technologies?
- MCEER–Buildings that use base isolation technology
- How do buildings respond to earthquakes?
- MCEER–How do buildings respond to earthquakes?
- What are the basics of earthquake resistant design?
- FEMA–The Importance of Building Codes
- MCEER–What are the basics of earthquake resistant design?
- NICEE–General Concepts of Earthquake Resistant Design (PDF)
- PEER–Earthquake Resistant Design Interactive
- TLC–Tremor Tech
- What are some advanced earthquake resistant techniques?
- MCEER–What are some advanced earthquake resistant techniques?
- How can I find seismic design codes for the U.S. and other countries?
- IISEE–Design Codes Index
- MCEER–Guide to U.S. and International Seismic Codes
- MCEER–Guide to U.S. Seismic Codes and Provisions
- What are the 100 tallest buildings in the world?
- Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH)– Worlds Tallest
Earthquakes in New York State
- Do earthquakes occur in New York State?
- USGS–NY Earthquake Information
- USGS–Historic earthquakes in NY
- SOSN–Southern Ontario Seismic Network
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory–NJ (and NY) Not Immune to Quakes
- Columbia University–LCSN Map of NY Earthquake Epicenters (1990-2003)
- MCEER–Earthquakes in Western NY
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory–EQs & the Ramapo Fault System in SE NY
- UB Geology Department–Known faults in the Appalachian Basin of NYS (1989-2002)
- What is the largest recorded earthquake in New York State?
- Natural Resources Canada–1944 Magnitude 5.8 Cornwall-Massena earthquake
- Do earthquakes occur in New York City?
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory–Largest Earthquakes near NYC
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory–Study Finds New Earthquake Dangers for NYC
- NYCEM–Earthquake Risks and Mitigation in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Region (32mb download)
- New York Shaking all Over–NYC Faultline Map
- TLC–Cities at Risk for Earthquakes: NYC
- How can I find out if I felt an earthquake in Western New York?
- FAQ–EQs in Western New York
- Seismic Zoning vs. Probabilistic Ground Motion Map of New York State
- MCEER–Historic seismic zoning map
- USGS–Seismic Hazard Map
- USGS–Why are the maps not simple zone maps?
Additional Topics
- View resources that address other disasters & related information
- Natural Disaster–FAQs
- Our Reference Resource section covers a broad range of topics including:
- Directories–Natural Hazards & Disasters
- Web Resources–Disaster Management
- Guides–US & International Seismic Codes
- Resources–Hurricane Katrina
- Reports–Natural Disaster Reconnaissance
- Review the entire collection at Reference Sources
- Citing information from MCEER or MCEER Information Service Web sites
- Guide–Citing MCEER
- Didn't find your answer, use our Information Request form to ask us more questions.