Citation

Ward J. Am. City Cty. 1997; 112(3): 47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Penton Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Geographic information system/global positioning system (GIS/GPS) technology is helping seismologists pinpoint potential hazard zones. GIS/GPS are an effective component of hazard management--the link between earthquake research and the mitigation of earthquake hazards. For example, scientists can use seismic hazard maps to determine bridge and overpass retrofits, hopefully avoiding collapses like that of the San Francisco Bay Bridge, which was a victim of the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. Seismic hazard maps offer information on potential ground shaking so that buildings, bridges, and other structures can be designed to withstand the expected shaking. GIS has been especially useful in creating hybrid maps that combine maps of expected ground motion in specific areas with map layers depicting population density, building type, and other factors that would have direct bearing on the potential for catastrophe. The resulting maps can contain a hundred different layers of information and can be used in different combinations to reveal what a seismologist thinks is likely to occur. This article gives an indepth picture of GIS/GPS technology. Several sidebar articles briefly describe ways in which GIS/GPS is being used nationwide.