Bolderdash: Taiwan Earthquake December 19th 2009: 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake

Landslide Hazards Program

Landslides constitute a major geologic hazard because they are widespread, occur in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and cause $1-2 billion in damages and more than 25 fatalities on average each year. Expansion of urban and recreational developments into hillside areas leads to more people that are threatened by landslides each year. Landslides commonly occur in connection with other major natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires, and floods.

The primary objective of the National Landslide Hazards Program (LHP) is to reduce long-term losses from landslide hazards by improving our understanding of the causes of ground failure and suggesting mitigation strategies.

The LHP has operated since the mid-1970's in gathering information, conducting research, responding to emergencies and disasters, and producing scientific reports and other products for a broadly based user community including geologists and engineers in government, academia and private practice, planners and decision makers from governmental entities at all levels, and the general public.

The results of these efforts have led to significant improvements in understanding the nature and scope of ground-failure problems nationally and worldwide. Such improvements are central to the role of the program, because opportunities remain for fundamental advances in understanding that promise to save lives and dollars.

Tuesday, 22 December 2009

Taiwan Earthquake December 19th 2009: 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake

Taiwan was hit by an earthquake in the late hours of December 19th 2009, when a 6.4 earthquake struck at 9:02pm local time. The epicenter was located about 145 kilometers south of Taipei.

There was some damage caused and five aftershocks reported. Buildings in Taipei shook with the earthquake and Taiwan's subway system and the high-speed rail line were halted, while some phone lines went down.

About four people were reported injured in Taipei due to falling debris, and some buildings were damaged. There has not been a tsunami alert issued.