SEISMIC VULNERABILITY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALONG THE WASATCH FRONT

There are 2.1 million people living above zones of predicted high seismic acceleration along the Wasatch Front. The probable effect of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, like the 24 events of this magnitude that rocked the Wasatch Front in the past 6000 years, is an issue that has been long overlooked. For example, building codes in Provo did not enforce seismic codes until the 80's, which means that most of the buildings in the city, including schools, do not meet current, acceptable seismic codes. In the Provo School District, the issue of safety and preparedness in the event of an earthquake has been neglected. At least 74% of the schools in Provo are not built to seismic code. None of these schools has ever had an independent assessment of seismic vulnerability to determine structural integrity. The state requires its children to attend seismically unsafe schools. In Provo alone, the current structural status of schools poses significant risk to at least 11,000 students and hundreds of teachers and staff. The situation in Provo is typical of most communities along the Wasatch Front. From similar studies in Alpine School district, at least 31,000 students are also at risk by attending school in seismically unsafe structures. There is a need to bring this oversight to the attention of state law makers and school boards, and help them prepare in order to minimize loss of life and damages.