Published: May 09, 2008 11:46 am            

Seismic Safety Task Force formed

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By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — After a 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook the area on April 18, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich has created the Illinois Seismic Safety Task Force (SSTF) to enhance earthquake mitigation measures in the state so homeowners and business owners have the protection they need in the event of a damaging earthquake.

The task force will assess the adequacy of existing earthquake mitigation strategies, particularly of those in high-risk areas among fault lines in the southern portion of the state. The task force will also provide the governor with formal recommendations to further enhance preparedness.

This would also mean the assessment of buildings and bridges and their ability to withstand earthquakes, said Mt. Vernon Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent, who is the city emergency agency coordinator. “It’s a step that I think is a good thing, addressing concerns since we are situated between two fault lines,” he said.

The event in Wabash County was a result of a quake in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, which is located in Southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, which also could affect the area, extends 150 miles southward from Cairo through southeastern Missouri into Arkansas and into Kentucky and Tennessee.

The task force, Sargent said, would help identify areas of concern if “we do suffer a quake of higher magnitude or long duration” and aid in marking those areas as a priority. He explained that last year, several Southern Illinois counties as well as the Southern Illinois University Department of Geology received funding to look into and find ways to secure the area.

He added the task force is going to help provide education to individuals such as commercial and residential properties as to what the effects can be and the risks are depending on what type of soil foundation is underneath areas which could be potentially affected by earthquakes.

“It’s going to help all communities identify strengths and weaknesses,” Sargent remarked.

“Illinois was hit with a surprise earthquake a few weeks ago in which, thankfully, no one was hurt and damage was minimal. We were well prepared to respond to this incident, but there is more we can do now to limit damage from future earthquakes,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “I am creating the Seismic Safety Task Force to boost our preparations before an earthquake hits and to make sure Illinoisans aren’t struggling with liability issues afterwards.”

Since the April 18 quake, the state has experienced at least 29 aftershocks, measuring as high as magnitude 4.6. Only minor damages have been reported.

The SSTF will also work to consider the creation of Illinois Earthquake Risk Zones and an Illinois Seismic Research Network to determine how Illinois seismic monitoring can be enhanced, if necessary; explore public-private partnerships to heighten individual and business awareness of earthquake risk and related mitigation practices; and provide recommendations to the governor for enhanced preparedness.

        

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