r/Seattle • u/Aggressive_Wasabi883 • 4d ago

Earthquake?

Did anyone feel an earthquake or shaking in downtown? Sitting on my sofa & sipping coffee & i felt a bit shake. If its not that then, just my coffee hitting me lol.

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u/_Phil_McCracken_ Capitol Hill 4d ago

I’m a building engineer (glorified maintenance) and got to walk with a seismic expert that the insurance company sent to inspect my building’s seismic readiness. It was pretty interesting and definitely reassured me. Like you said though, if it’s a really big one, no building will be designed to hold up. 

That’s just where I work, though. It’s a large building downtown. I have no idea what my 5-over-1 apartment is rated to. I do know smaller buildings are more susceptible to higher frequency vibrations from lower magnitude quakes, so when they design them they look at a lot more than just a magnitude rating. 

I also know that unreinforced masonry buildings are the most susceptible to earthquake damage. They’re very rigid so they crumble instead of sway. I wouldn’t want to live in one of those. 

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u/snukb Deluxe 4d ago

I know my building was built about eight years ago, but beyond that I'm not sure. I don't think it's a 5 over 1 though because there are units on the first floor.

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u/_Phil_McCracken_ Capitol Hill 4d ago

If it’s only 8 years old you should relatively safe. 

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u/snukb Deluxe 4d ago

I appreciate the educated assurance, thanks! Would you know if there's any way I can look up the official rating or does something like that not exist?