Study looks at impact of big LA earthquake

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. Geological Survey expert says a major earthquake along the southern San Andreas Fault would cause many tall buildings to collapse in Los Angeles.

Ken Hudnut made the statement during a new video interview prepared for what's called the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history -- the 10 a.m. PST, Nov. 13 "Great Southern California ShakeOut." The drill will simulate what might occur during and after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the southern California coast.

Hudnut says USGS researchers determined older brick buildings, commercial and industrial concrete buildings, many wood-frame buildings -- especially multi-story apartment buildings with tuck-under parking and even a few high-rise steel buildings -- are vulnerable to the strong ground motions of great earthquakes.

"What we achieved with the ShakeOut science scenario is a new level of understanding of ground motions and also agreement with structural engineering experts that tall building collapses are quite a realistic possibility in a big earthquake along the San Andreas fault and in Los Angeles," said Hudnut.

Hudnut's video is available at http://www.usgs.gov/corecast/details.asp?ep=73. Other video interviews, animations and imagery related to the Great Southern California ShakeOut are available at www.usgs.gov/shakeout.