While it is true that earthquakes generally strike without warning, individuals, communities, and businesses need not wait for an earthquake to begin planning for one. CUSEC has compiled several earthquake planning scenarios that can be used in a variety of planning situations, be it mitigation, risk assessments, response and recovery, business continuity, or other use and where applicable, the scenarios can also support earthquake exercise design/development.
Note: The resources listed below are from a variety of sources. Due to the changing understanding of earthquakes and available loss modeling, they do not necessarily represent what will happen during an earthquake. Many variables, such as time of day, epicenter of the earthquake, magnitude, soil conditions, etc. will determine what will actually occur. Accordingly, these scenarios should only be used to enhance pre-earthquake planning and training and are not intended to predict future losses.
- Risk Implications of Alternative Views of New Madrid Seismic Hazard
Insurance perspective on alternative loss models and variables within the New Madrid Seismic Zone
Author: Risk Management Solutions, Inc.
Published: 2012 - M6.5 New Madrid ShakeOut Scenario
Generalized New Madrid Seismic Zone Earthquake Scenario for use in planning, drills, etc.
Author: CUSEC
Published: 2012 - M6.5 Wabash Valley Seismic Zone ShakeOut Scenario
Generalized Wabash Valley Seismic Zone Earthquake Scenario for use in planning, drills, etc.
Author: CUSEC
Published: 2012
- M6.5 General Earthquake Earthquake ShakeOut Scenario
Generalized earthquake scenario for use in planning, drills, etc.
Author: CUSEC
Published: 2012 - DOE New Madrid Seismic Zone Electric Utility Summary
Summary of 2010 DOE workshop on effects of a New Madrid Earthquake on electric utility systems
Author: U.S. Department of Energy
Published: 2010 - Impact of New Madrid Seismic Zone Earthquakes on the Central USA – Vol. I
Comprehensive computerized loss estimation scenario of an M7.7 New Madrid earthquake
Author: Mid-America Earthquake Center
Published: 2009 - Impact of New Madrid Seismic Zone Earthquakes on the Central USA – Vol. II
Detailed methodology and results report for M7.7 New Madrid earthquake scenario
Author: Mid-America Earthquake Center
Published: 2009 - New Madrid and Wabash Valley Seismic Zone: Assessing Impacts on Natural Gas Transmission
Scenario intended to aid in utility planning for New Madrid and Wabash Valley earthquakes
Author: Argonne National Laboratory
Published: 2009 - Comparison Study of the 1985 CUSEC Six Cities Study using HAZUS
HAZUS comparison to a 1985 loss estimation study of earthquake effects to the cities of Memphis, Little Rock, Carbondale, Evansville, Paducah, and Poplar Bluff
Author: CUSEC
Published: 2003
