Earthquake: The New York City Nightmare

What if an earthquake hit New York City — AGAIN?

Current Events :
Last Friday, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit the NYC area and sent shockwaves through residents who never dreamed a quake was possible in the region. The tremor was centered along the southwestern mountainous regions of New Jersey but made its presence known in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Now, after at least 2 dozen (minor) aftershocks, East Coast dwellers are asking the obvious: is New York at all prepared for an earthquake?

In the grand scheme of things, a 4.8 earthquake is not considered dangerous among areas that are used to and prepared for ground shakes. However, it’s certainly cause for concern in a place like NYC.

So, what if last week’s quake had been a 5.8? Or, a 6.8?

To put it bluntly, the end result would have been cataclysmic.

Unlike Los Angeles or San Francisco — which built most of its buildings out of metal and created skyscrapers that could roll in rhythm with an earthquake — New York is not so lucky. Many Manhattan buildings are made of brick or stone. So, a quake not much larger than last week’s 4.8 could have the capacity to send brick and stone raining down onto the streets as buildings tumble. As if that weren’t enough, huge 100-story skyscrapers would likely topple over onto other skyscrapers, causing a domino effect of destruction.

“Older brick buildings would be the first to go, as could stone-built major city structures like the New York Public Library, the American Museum of Natural History, and other museums and government buildings,” said Peter Hess of THE DAILY MAIL.

Historic 100-year-old brownstones would also be reduced to rubble, snaring countless residents under the debris.

Subway tunnels would almost certainly collapse, trapping thousands of riders at unknown locations underground. Additionally, the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels — which transport drivers underneath the Hudson River — could spring a leak and create the unthinkable.

“Manhattan’s 772,000 households could be without water if water mains break, and people could be without clean running water for days or weeks. With emergency vehicles and evacuees clogging roads, bringing in fresh supplies would take a long time, too,” Hess added.

Sounds too impossible to be true?

Well, just consider the fact that New Jersey is loaded with earthquake faults. And if that wasn’t enough, a huge fault goes directly underneath the famed 125th Street in Harlem and was last active in 1981.

Are there any options available for New York to make preparations should another earthquake materialize on the East Coast? Or, is it far too late to attempt to earthquake-proof America’s largest city?

OK WASSUP! covers Current Events:
Could NYC sustain a major earthquake?