If an earthquake occured in NYC, what would the damage be like?

Answer 1

Earthquakes do occur in the New York and Tri-State area, but thankfully they are relatively rare and not powerful. However, I believe that there is a major fault line that does go into the Northeastern United States.

If a major earthquake were to occur in New York City, the damage I believe would be cataclysmic. The borough of Manhattan (what many people think of when they think of NYC), would be especially hard hit. Manhattan is an island and I do not believe the buildings are designed to be especially earthquake -proof. As the center of the financial world, the US economy and the world economy would be severely affected. Many skyscrapers may fall as well as they sit on a layer of bedrock with may not withstand the forces of an extremely large earthquake. Also many parts may lie underwater if tides rise in Lower Manhattan (which is below sea level) and the subways become flooded.

The other boroughs would become severely damaged as well, since the "outer boroughs" consist of many single family homes, and brick style "old neighborhood" type buildings.

However, I would not let the fear of an earthquake deter one from visiting or even living in New York. The odds are relatively small and New Yorkers are the most resourceful of people, stepping up and responding to crises throughout its history.

Answer 2

Devastating, if it was a strong enough quake. None of the buildings are built to support a serious earthquake. And a lot of the old buildings don't have the simple safety measures newer buildings have--like sprinklers above a certain height. So with stoves that might be on cathching fire to apartments, upper levels of buildings could be lost to side-effects like fire while eveyone was evacuating. Evacuating would be just as dangerous as staying inside the rigid buildings that could collapse upon themselves because, well, they could collapse upon bystanders. LOOK AT ALL THOSE SHINY GLASS BUILDINGS. Shrapnel waiting to happen. The gas and water mains run underneath Manhattan. There's the potential for flooding AND explosions. And with the subway system underneath, also, those people would never get out.

Kind of makes you thankful that Manhattan's not on a fault line.

Answer 3

Devistating, the buildings were not built to withstand an earthquake.

Answer 4

Wow... Well lets just say there would be no re building after that mess.....