10 Years After the Nisqually Earthquake: Lessons and Continued Challenges

On February 28, 2001, the Nisqually Earthquake shook the Puget Sound region, leaving a lasting impact on Seattle and its surrounding areas. The quake, though moderate compared to other seismic events, caused over $4 billion in damage, underscoring the urgent need for seismic preparedness in a region highly vulnerable to earthquakes. Ten years later, while progress has been made, much remains to be done, and recent events worldwide remind us of the risks still lurking beneath the surface.

Lessons from the Nisqually Earthquake

While the region has seen improvements in earthquake readiness, many experts agree that the response has been sluggish. Mark Pierepiekarz, President of MRP Engineering, noted in his 2005 analysis of a potential shallow 6.7-magnitude quake that “damage to older, unreinforced brick structures could be catastrophic." This vulnerability remains one of the biggest challenges today.

Slow Progress in Seismic Retrofits

Public infrastructure like freeways and government buildings have seen significant upgrades. For instance, Seattle’s iconic Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Highway 520 floating bridge were deemed high-priority projects. However, retrofitting privately owned buildings, especially older ones, has been excruciatingly slow due to the high costs involved. Unreinforced brick buildings, which made up a significant portion of the structures damaged in 2001, are still a concern. It can cost property owners anywhere from $25 to $60 per square foot to bring these structures up to code—an investment many are reluctant to make.

Seismic Risks Still Exist

One of the biggest takeaways from the Nisqually earthquake was the realization that Seattle is not fully prepared for a larger seismic event. Barb Graff, Seattle’s Director of Emergency Management, emphasized, “We assume we know what it’s like to go through a huge earthquake because we’ve been through Nisqually. It’s a false sense of security.” A shallow quake on the Seattle Fault could cause much more severe damage, especially to older buildings without adequate seismic retrofitting.

Learning from Global Events

Recent earthquakes around the world, such as the devastating 2011 quake in Christchurch, New Zealand, serve as a stark reminder of what could happen in Seattle. Experts warn that a similar event on the Seattle Fault could produce even more intense shaking, affecting the city’s residential and commercial areas.

The Economic Hurdle

Funding is one of the greatest barriers to widespread retrofitting. While public buildings like schools, hospitals, and the King County Courthouse have received upgrades, privately owned buildings have lagged behind. Seattle has explored several strategies to incentivize retrofitting, including tax incentives and government grants, but progress has been slow. “We didn’t have the money to defer taxes,” said Bob Freitag, a committee member who examined the issue post-Nisqually.

What Needs to be Done?

Experts agree that Seattle needs a comprehensive strategy to address its seismic vulnerabilities. This includes not only retrofitting older buildings but also ensuring that newer structures can withstand the intense shaking that a future quake could bring. According to Peter Yanev, a structural engineer, Seattle’s high-rise buildings may not be designed to endure a magnitude 9 earthquake. “No matter what an expert says, Seattle’s structures are not designed for a magnitude 9 earthquake,” Yanev warned in a New York Times op-ed.

The Role of Public and Private Sectors

Both public and private entities have a role to play in Seattle’s earthquake preparedness. While the government has allocated millions for infrastructure improvements, the private sector needs to invest in retrofitting older buildings. Experts suggest a combination of financial incentives and stricter regulations to encourage action before the next big quake strikes.

Looking Forward

As the 10-year anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake approaches, Seattle must confront its seismic risks head-on. The lessons learned from the 2001 quake, coupled with global examples of the devastation caused by unreinforced buildings, provide a roadmap for what needs to be done. While progress has been made, much more remains to be done to ensure Seattle’s buildings are resilient enough to withstand the inevitable seismic events that lie ahead.

For more information on earthquake retrofitting and how you can prepare your home, visit our Earthquake Resources page.