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Geophysical Disasters

Geophysical Disasters

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UN), Geophysical disasters are those that originate inside the earth such as the movement or shift of tectonic plates. These plates are massive slabs of solid rock at the earth’s surface either on land or at the ocean floor.

Image Credit: Wendy S. Kelly, Anne C. Witt, Matthew J. Heller, and Martin C. Chapman, “Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources Publication 185: Seismic History of Virginia,” Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Mines, Mineral and Energy, and Division of Geology and Mineral Resources.

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Examples of geophysical hazards include

  • Earthquakes
  • Volcanic activity
  • Emissions or eruptions
  • Related events, such as
    • Landslides
    • Rockslides
    • Surface collapses
    • Debris or mud flow

Events in this category are also oftentimes referred to as seismic activity, which encompasses an earthquake or other vibration’s:

  • Size
  • Frequency
  • Characteristics

Seismic waves, for example, are vibrations caused by earthquakes that travel through the Earth. 

The geophysical disaster type that Virginia is most at risk for is earthquake, and the related event types. An earthquake is a sudden shift or movement of the earth’s tectonic plates. They generally occur along fault lines, or the point of connection between two plates, or as in Virginia, within seismic zones. The earthquake results in the movement and shaking of the ground’s surface, which can cause damage to even the most well-built structures depending on the magnitude of the event. Earthquakes can be unpredictable, and can occur at any time of year, making preparedness critical for properties at risk for experiencing this type of disaster.[1]

For more information on Earthquakes and Risk Planning see: https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Earthquake

Overview of Virginia’s Risk for Geophysical Disasters

While earthquakes in the United States are commonly associated with California, there are many other states at risk, including Virginia. Earthquakes in Virginia primarily occur within seismic zones rather than along fault lines: the Central Virginia Seismic Zone (CVSC), the Giles County (Southwestern Virginia) Seismic Zone (GCSZ), and the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ), which crosses over into the southwestern-most counties of the Commonwealth. While the epicenters of Virginia earthquakes are most commonly located within these zones, their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles away. Although less common, earthquake epicenters have also occurred in regions outside of these zones.

The first documented earthquakes in Virginia were recorded by Virginia colonists in the 18th century; however, it is likely that Virginia Indians had experienced these ground shaking events long before their arrival. These pre-historic events require a much more intensive investigative process to document. Colonists, and later Virginians, documented earthquakes in their journals, letters to friends and relatives, and in newspapers. Between 1767 and 1968 at least 73 earthquakes were recorded.[2] The most damaging earthquake on record in Virginia occurred on August 23, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. In Louisa County alone, nearly 1,500 structures were damaged; statewide damages equaled at least $300 million. Historic properties as far as Washington, DC were impacted, including the steeple of the National Cathedral.

Government or Organizational Representatives

I am a Local, Regional, or State Government or Organizational Representative: 

Disaster Preparedness

For Local Governments

Unlike some climate disasters, there are no advance warnings for earthquakes. However, there are still actions that Local Government Representatives can do regularly and routinely that can help prepare their community in the event of an earthquake.

  • Identify, Evaluate, and Document Resources
    • Keep an up-to-date list of all local resources listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, as well as all local easement properties
    • Identify areas or resources that may be most vulnerable to damage from earthquakes
      • Evaluate their needs and consider if there are actions that could reduce their vulnerability to damage from earthquakes.
      • Document their current conditions.
    • Utilize historic resource surveys to document areas or resources before an event strikes.
      • Pre-disaster documentation through historic resource surveys not only provides a locality with an inventory of historic resources, but can provide a point of comparison for post-disaster damage assessments.
      • Include vulnerability assessments as part of the survey to better understand which resources or areas are most vulnerable to threats such as earthquakes.
    • Encourage owners of historic properties to document their properties and engage in regular maintenance/ disaster preparedness actions.
  • Be familiar with your local Hazard Mitigation Plan, and how Cultural and Historic Resources are addressed.
    • Update your locality’s Hazard Mitigation Plan as needed to adequately address Cultural and Historic Resources
    • Update regional and state cultural resource professional contact list
    • Develop a system for addressing Cultural and Historic Resources post-disaster, such as a priority matrix or tiered system.
For Museums, Cultural Institutions, or Other Organizations

Similar to property owners and local government representatives, staff, volunteers, and board members of cultural institutions and museums, who are responsible for ensuring proper stewardship of their collections and facilities, should evaluate and assess their risk for potential disasters and develop a plan for mitigating potential impacts. The unpredictability of earthquakes can be particularly devastating to priceless museum collections.

Cultural institutions and museums should take the following steps to prepare for future earthquakes:

  • Evaluate and assess risk.
    • What are the most at-risk objects or collections? Creating a ranking system for prioritizing protection and implementation of needed retrofits should be considered.
  • Consider digitizing everything possible to allow for remote access/ visiting if the institution is required to close as the result of a disaster.
  • Develop a plan for budgeting and saving for operational continuity and/or repairs and damages not covered by insurance.
  • Develop a plan, train staff, volunteers and board members of use of the plan, and PRACTICE using the plan. Utilize the resources below to develop your plan.

Disaster Recovery

For Local Governments

After an earthquake, enact and follow your locality’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and any Emergency Response Procedures. Once it is safe to do so, the following steps can be used to guide you through the disaster recovery process:

  • Follow the direction provided in your locality’s Hazard Mitigation Plan for how to address Cultural and Historic Resources that are damaged by earthquakes.
    • If your locality’s Hazard Mitigation Plan does not address Cultural and Historic Resources, continue following the recommended steps below.
  • Identify resources that have been damaged by the earthquake.
    • This may be accomplished through a survey (conducted by locality staff and/or professional consultants), and/or through property owner submissions
    • Cross reference the list of damaged resources with your locality’s list of historic resources protected by easement and/or listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and/or the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Create a checklist, or use this sample, to help guide your locality’s actions following an earthquake.
  • Share information and resources with your community for what to do with their historic properties following an earthquake.
    • Types of information and resources could include: checklists, recommended professionals, or opportunities for assistance.
  • Identify state/ federal opportunities for disaster recovery assistance for historic resources. Contact DHR and/or submit information using the Disaster Recovery Survey Form.
For Museums, Cultural Institutions, or Other Organizations

In the event of an earthquake, cultural institutions and museums should follow safety guidelines from their locality and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/earthquakes-and-landslides).

Once it has been determined that it is safe to return to your facility, the following steps can be taken to begin the recovery process:

  • Assess the impact and any damage to the facility. Ensure it is safe to access.
  • Document any damage to facility, collections, and/or exhibit spaces.
  • Implement your organization’s Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan
 

General Resources

See the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s website for information on what to do during an earthquake: https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/earthquakes-and-landslides

State and Federal agencies to contact post-disaster for assistance:

See FEMA’s website for more information about earthquake risk, assistance programs, hazard mitigation planning, and more: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake

FEMA 547: Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings: https://www.fema.gov/node/techniques-seismic-rehabilitation-existing-buildings

NPS Preservation Brief 41: The Seismic Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/preservation-brief-41-seismic-rehabilitation.pdf

NCPTT Disaster Preparedness and Recovery of Cultural Resources: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ncptt/disaster-preparedness-and-recovery-of-cultural-resources.htm

Resources for Museums & Cultural Institutions & Organizations

FEMA 533: Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions: https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/DisasterRecovery.pdf

Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative Resources: https://www.culturalrescue.si.edu/resources/preparedness

American Alliance of Museums: Facilities & Operations Resources: https://www.aam-us.org/topic/facilities-operations/

Virginia Association of Museums Disaster Response Resources: https://www.vamuseums.org/disaster-response-resources

dPlan|ArtsReady Emergency Preparedness and Response Tool: https://www.dplan.org/

NPS Museum Handbook, Part 1, Chapter 10: Emergency Planning: https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/mhi/Chap10.pdf  

Cemetery Disaster Planning (Chicora Foundation, Inc.): http://www.chicora.org/pdfs/Cemetery%20Disaster%20Planning.pdf

Property Owners

I am a property owner:

  • Not all old buildings and structures are considered historic. When evaluating if a resource is historic the following criteria are considered:
  • Is the resource at least 50 years old?
  • Does it have integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association?
  • Does it have significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and/or culture?
  • Is it individually listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register or National Register of Historic Places?
  • Not sure? Click HERE to search for your property.
  • Is it protected by an historic preservation easement?
  • Not sure? Click HERE for information on easements and how to determine if your property is protected by an historic preservation easement.
  • Is it within a local historic district and/or locally recognized as an historic resource?
  • Not sure? Click HERE to search for your neighborhood, or contact your local officials.
  • While this does not mean a property is historic, it is useful to know if your property has been part of an historic resource survey. Data from an historic resource survey creates a record of the property’s conditions and known history and can assist with disaster planning and recovery.
  • Not sure? Click HERE to search the VCRIS Map Viewer for your property, or contact VDHR.
  • If you would like to provide information on an unrecorded resource, contact DHR’s Architectural Survey Manager, Mae Tilley: tilley@dhr.virginia.gov; 804-482-6086

 

Is my property designated as historic?

Is there survey data held by DHR on the property?

Disaster Preparedness

Unlike some climate disasters, there are no advanced warnings for earthquakes. However, there are still things a property owner can do regularly and routinely that can help prepare their property in the event of an earthquake.

Depending on the severity of the earthquake, a range of damage levels may occur to a property. Common types of damage include (but are not limited to):

      Structural Damage or Collapse

Regardless of the level of severity, a building or structure may be at risk of structural damage or collapse as a result of an earthquake. The level of risk may be dependent on the building’s construction methods and materials, and its condition at the time of the event. Newer buildings must meet certain requirements to help protect them from potential earthquakes, but since older buildings were not required to meet standards like this when they were built, there are changes you can make to help protect your property from earthquake damage. An inspection of your historic building can help you determine what actions, if any, should be taken to help protect your property from earthquake damage. (NOTE: earthquakes and their impacts are unpredictable, and preparedness efforts may not prevent damage).

The Virginia Existing Building Code provides requirements and flexibility for historic buildings in Chapter 9: Historic Buildings. Guidelines for the seismic retrofit of existing buildings are provided in Appendix A. Note: the guidelines included in Appendix A are provided as an informative appendix and are not part of the Virginia Existing Building Code.

An earthquake may cause structural or aesthetic damage to any of a building’s materials. To ensure historic materials are handled and repaired appropriately, consult the National Park Service (NPS) Preservation Briefs that apply to the damaged material for guidance on preservation best practices: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/preservation-briefs.htm.

Fires

Electrical fires and/or gas leaks may occur as a result of an earthquake. The California Earthquake Authority notes that fires are the second most common hazard caused by earthquakes.[3] The earth’s shaking during an earthquake can dislodge or break electrical and gas lines, and a single spark can cause a serious fire.

Historic properties may have dated, and sometimes damaged, electrical and gas lines and connections. An inspection of your historic building can help you determine if electrical or gas systems should be updated or repaired. It is also recommended that property owners utilize flexible connections where gas lines meet appliances.[2] Making these repairs and upgrades before disaster strikes may help decrease the risk of earthquake fires (NOTE: earthquakes and their impacts are unpredictable, and preparedness efforts may not prevent damage).

Additional information and guidance can be found in The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Fire Safety in Historic Buildings. The Virginia Existing Building Code also includes requirements for fire safety retrofits in Chapter 11: Retrofit Requirements, and provides guidelines for evaluating the fire-resistance rating for “archaic construction,” which is defined as “construction typical of an earlier time, generally prior to 1950,” in Resource A: Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies.[3]

Use the VDHR Disaster Planning Checklist to help prepare your property for disasters.

Although you don’t have advanced warning of an earthquake, this checklist could be used for regular/periodic checks of a home to help better prepare it in the event of an earthquake. It is recommended that property owners complete these checks (including updating supplies and other emergency preparedness actions) at least once a year.

Periodically document the conditions of your property; this will allow for comparisons/repairs/etc. post-disaster if an unanticipated disaster such as an earthquake strikes.

Inquire with your homeowner’s insurance company about whether an Earthquake rider is required in addition to your regular homeowner’s insurance. Review your insurance policy annually to make sure you have adequate coverage in the event of a disaster.

 

Disaster Recovery

In the event of an earthquake, property owners should follow safety guidelines from their locality and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management: https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/earthquakes-and-landslides

Once it has been determined that it is safe to return to your property, the following steps can be taken to begin the recovery process:

  • Contact local officials to inquire about recovery efforts
  • Document damage to your property; if damage is severe, and/or if there are safety concerns, have a professional assess your property and document.
  • Note: health and safety should be prioritized during the recovery process. Return to your property and documentation should occur only if health and safety concerns have been properly addressed. Consult a professional for additional guidance as needed.
  • Use the VDHR Checklist to help guide you through the recovery process.
  • If your property is located in a locally-designated historic district, contact local officials to determine whether a certificate of appropriateness is required.
  • Do not throw away any broken/ damaged components of your building/property. These may be able to be repaired, reused and/or referenced to replace materials and features in-kind.
  • Contact your insurance provider to report any damage and file a claim if necessary. Ask about any documentation they require before you begin clean-up or repair work.

 

Resources

For post-disaster assistance, contact: Megan Melinat (megan.melinat@dhr.virginia.gov; 804-482-6455)

For information about what to do during an earthquake, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s website: https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/earthquakes-and-landslides

For additional information about earthquakes and actions to take before, during, or after an earthquake, visit FEMA’s website: https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Earthquake

Pre-and Post-Disaster Checklists: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/pdf_files/SandyGrant/Checklists_for_Officials_Homeowners.pdf

NPS Preservation Brief 41: The Seismic Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/preservation-brief-41-seismic-rehabilitation.pdf

NCPTT Disaster Preparedness and Recovery of Cultural Resources: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ncptt/disaster-preparedness-and-recovery-of-cultural-resources.htm

[1] United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, “Hazard,” https://www.undrr.org/terminology/hazard (accessed 14 Sept 2023); Virginia Department of Emergency Management, “Earthquakes and Landslides,” https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/earthquakes-and-landslides (accessed 14 Sept 2023); California Department of Public Health, “Be Informed: Earthquakes,” https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/BI_Natural-Disasters_Earthquakes.aspx (accessed 14 Sept 2023); USGS, “What is a tectonic plate?,” https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/tectonic.html (accessed 14 Sept 2023).

[2] Wendy S. Kelly, Anne C. Witt, Matthew J. Heller, and Martin C. Chapman, Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources, Publication 185: Seismic History of Virginia, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy: Charlottesville, Virginia, 2017).

[3] https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/Blog/2020/How-Earthquakes-Cause-Damage-Destruction

[4] https://www.earthquakecountry.org/step1/

[5] “Resource A: Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies,” 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/VAEBC2021P1/resource-a-guidelines-on-fire-ratings-of-archaic-materials-and-assemblies