On March 27, 1964, the state of Alaska experienced the
second largest earthquake in history, with an astounding magnitude of 9.2.
This earthquake devastated many areas of Alaska and generated a tsunami
that ravaged towns along the Gulf of Alaska, and left serious damages reaching
from Canada, to the West Coast of the US, and as far as Hawaii.
Estimated damages from the quake and tsunami were in the region of
$400-$500 million, leaving a death toll of 131 people.
Alaska has 11% of the world’s earthquakes, and 52% of all the earthquakes in the United States. Alaska has claimed 3 of the 6 largest earthquakes recorded in history, and 7 of the 10 largest in US history. With a daily average of 10-20 quakes, at an average magnitude of 2.5, the state of Alaska is cognizant of the fact that the next one might be “The Big One”.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks was established in 1917. Fifty-eight percent of the 257 buildings are over 25 years old, and were built prior to the adoption of seismic requirements of the Uniform Building Code. With as many earthquakes we experience during the year, it is not only sensible that UAF develop a DRU plan, it is imperative. UAF has developed a crucial four-part plan in order to start on the path to becoming an efficient Disaster Resistant University. The DRU plan addresses the following:
Seismic evaluation and assessment of buildings:
Explore the possibility and
probability of a major earthquake in Fairbanks, Alaska including seismic
evaluations performed by an engineering consultant.
Non-structural vulnerabilities
University personnel will develop and review:
Methods to determine a full or partial closure of facilities
Emergency Preparedness plans
Temporary space and locations to house UAF functions
Emergency Training and Education and
Integration of the Hazard Reduction Plan into our Campus Master
Plan
Identification of partnerships
Fairbanks North Star Borough Director of Emergency Operations
Alaska Division of Emergency Services
State Seismologist
Other Federal, State and Local Agencies
Strategize Steering Committee discoveries
Identification of other natural disasters and impact on UAF
Floods
Wildfires
Volcanic Ash
Lightening strikes
Extreme and sustained weather events
Identification of the impact to the State of Alaska and Federal
Government if an incident occurs at UAF
UAF is home to the State Seismologist as well as most of the
State’s earthquake monitoring equipment
UAF studies and monitors all volcanic activity in the state
UAF conducts on-going arctic studies in partnership with Japan
UAF has the Super Computer which is heavily used by Federal
Agencies.
The end product will provide a Strategic Loss Prevention Plan, which identifies hazards, vulnerabilities, potential frequencies, and where our resources will come from.