Comments on: Sinking and rising

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 03:42:08 +0000

Emma, the Oakland geologic map on this site shows the artificial fill clearly. Another source, a bit more detailed and printed on paper, would be the Oakland Watershed Map, sold at the Oakland Museum gift shop.

But any modern engineered building will be designed for the ground it sits upon. In that respect it should not matter where you are. Now if you’re looking at an older building, then you should ask about the retrofitting and maybe even ask if the owner has earthquake insurance. That wouldn’t help you directly, but it would show that the owner is taking earthquakes seriously.

By: Emma Lyons

Emma Lyons — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:50:32 +0000

Do you know how far the landfill goes into downtown Oakland? I am considering moving to an apartment right near there, however I am concerned about the stability during an earthquake. Anyone know a good source of spatial data? Thank you.

By: Eric Fischer

Eric Fischer — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:20:33 +0000

Thanks for the explanation! Page 12 of that book has a picture of that same building.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:45:22 +0000

That's one example. Read about more examples here.

By: Eric Fischer

Eric Fischer — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:07:14 +0000

Are these the buildings near 10th Street that you are talking about? http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingsf/4767010516/

By: Naomi Schiff

Naomi Schiff — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:34:22 +0000

South of Market: 10th Street, not avenue, I think?
When I worked on Fifth Street, in the 1970s, there was a 3-story 19th century building at Folsom on the northeast corner, and in the ground floor was a little short-order lunch place. It was referred to by everyone as The Step Down because of the small safety sign painted on the door: “Step Down!” It was about three or four steep little steps below the sidewalk.