Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] looks like they finally have a shoot-to-kill order in N.O.

[Jonathan King <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On 9/1/05, Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Sep 2005, Vern Green wrote:
> 
> > So if an 8 ever hit in St. Louis, I would predict little to be left
> > standing in the St. Louis area and thousands would be dead. It is not a
> > question of if it happens really, only a question of when.
> 
> New Madrid (epicenter) is pretty far from St. Louis.

Yes, but...

1) While the New Madrid quakes don't seem to release nearly as much
energy as events in California, Alaska, or off the Pacific-Northwest
coast, the crust is is much less fractured, so the energy propagates
much more efficiently.  Imagine hitting a solid rock with a hammer
versus hitting a sack of gravel.

2) Good size chunks of St. Louis and surrounding areas are built on
fill and/or alluvial till.  This can amplify the shaking and/or lose
its solidity in severe shaking.  Some may remember the "Mexico City"
quake of a several years ago, but I put that in quotes since the
actual event was off the coast of Alcapulco.  Mexico City shook very
strongly becausee it is built partly on a former lake bed.

jking

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