Special Publication

Economic Consequences of Earthquakes: Preparing for the Unexpected

Economic Consequences of Earthquakes: Preparing for the Unexpected, edited by Barclay G. Jones, examines the ramifications of a large-scale earthquake in the U.S., while considering preparedness options to minimize losses. This 275-plus page special publication contains fifteen commissioned papers by experts in the fields of seismology, engineering, sociology, business and insurance. These papers review and define:

The earthquake problem in the U.S.
The vulnerability of our built environment
The impact of damaged and destroyed facilities on social and economic systems
Precautionary measures to reduce exposure to risk.

This book is an excellent resource for business, financial and government policy makers. The book is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the U.S. earthquake risk and its potential impact on the economy, and includes general recommendations toward the implementation of loss-reduction measures. Topics addressed include:

Strategies for dealing with the earthquake hazards
Comparisons between Kobe, Japan and major U.S. metropolitan areas
Characteristics of earthquakes in the eastern and central United States
Issues in preparedness and mitigation
Mitigating risks to buildings, bridges and lifeline systems
Impact of earthquakes to businesses and the economy
How catastrophic losses impact the insurance industry
Recommendations for future action

The book costs $40.00. To order, contact NCEER Publications, phone: (716) 645-3391; fax: (716) 645-3399; email: nceer@acsu.buffalo.edu. This publication may also be obtained from this link.

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