Is Hamish OK?

[Scott Gilmore]

Glad to hear it, Hamish.

Since we're on the subject, apparently in `03 Dumfries and Galloway experienced a magnitude 3.5 temblor. Robertson, living Dumfries at the time I presume, and being a past Southern California resident, probably appreciated the friendly jolt. Reminded him of "the auld country" as it were.

Personally, as a San Diegan, I try to schedule my morning tooth-brushing around the usual earth-rattlers as it facilitates the elimination of plaque.

In all seriousnosity (izzat a word? Is "izzat" a word?), my business is the issuance of building permits in Southern California, and seismic requirements are a significant part of that process. We have expended significant effort trying to help owners of legally built unreinforced masonry buildings (generally built over 60 years ago) in the unincorporated areas on how to bring their structures into compliance with current seismic requirements.

A short walk around the older (it's a relative term in this part of the world) core downtown areas of even small established villages with a semi-educated eye will point out the efforts many property owners have gone to to mitigate the damage that will eventually inevitably occur when the Pacific plate takes umbrage with the North American Plate (and/or the Gorda Plate, the Juan de Fuca Plate, the Rivera Plate, etc.). Essentially, building owners have had to build a metal reinforcement structure within the masonry structure to support it if it fails during a seismic event, thereby avoiding crushing its inhabitants with falling masonry debris.

In a changing world, one wonders if and when parts of the eastern U.S. and western Europe - all more vulnerable to seismic activity than is generally perceived - will adapt to the realities of seismic occurrences. The upshot being, it happens; not very often, but once is all it takes.

[walkerk]

Another earthquake?! Hope all is well.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/...ae.php#details