Discussion 2: Earthquakes in the Pacific NW (30 pts)

Due – Tuesday, May 26

For our second discussion we will examine earthquake hazards in the Pacific Northwest. Our main topic of discussion will concern what to expect in a large NW quake and what we can do to prepare for it As you read the articles try to think about how they are related to the concepts discussed in your text and in lecture.

You should read the following papers before class on the scheduled discussion day and come to class prepared to discuss them.

Required Readings:

Cascade Subduction Zone Earthquakes: A Magnitude 9.0 Scenario (Cascade Regional Earthquake Workshop - CREW, 2005) –  View the pdf file at: http://www.crew.org/PDFs/CREWSubductionZoneSmall.pdf

Seattle Times articles:
UW scientists collect first seismic data from Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct (Feb. 25, 2009)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008783010_viaduct25m.html

Alaskan Way Viaduct legislation is headed for the governor (April 25, 2009)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009119534_viaduct25m0.html

Your discussion grade (30 pts) will be based on the following activities:

½ Page Write-Up (10 pts): Write a typed ½ page summary of your thoughts on the articles and any thoughts on your personal preparation for quakes.

Questions (10 pts): As you read the articles you should write down questions and concerns about material in the articles. A typed list of at least five questions will be due at the beginning of class on the day of the discussion. These questions may concern specific facts in the article, they may be questions about how the article relates to lecture material, and/or they may be related to cultural/ethical questions that relate to the reading. (For example, if we read a paper on copper mining you might include questions such as: How do we know that there are limited supplies of copper resources?, How does copper form and where is it found in the Earth?, What are some of the impacts of copper mining?, Why is it cheaper to buy copper from Chile, rather than mine it here in the US?, What do we use copper for?, How can we reduce our use of copper?, Are other minerals mined in the same way?, etc.)  The answers to these questions should NOT be in the articles themselves, instead they should add further insight into the topic. We will use these questions in our class discussions.

Discussion (10 pts): You will receive points for participating in the discussion by asking questions, adding insight, and/or debating different sides of an issue. To receive full credit you must concentrate on the discussion (no working on other homework projects!) and participate at least once.