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Seismically Induced Hazards in Balzers , Liechtenstein: Why Ancient Balzers was Safer. Dr. Maria E. Brunhart-Lupo Dr. John Lupo Mr. Werner Brunhart. https:// maps.google.com. https:// maps.google.com. https:// maps.google.com. Dörrbecker , 2013. https:// maps.google.com.
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Seismically Induced Hazards in Balzers, Liechtenstein: Why Ancient Balzers was Safer Dr. Maria E. Brunhart-Lupo Dr. John Lupo Mr. Werner Brunhart
Balzers, Liechtenstein • Town in southwestern Liechtenstein • Area inhabited since the Hallstatt culture – Early Iron Age • Town has been officially recognized since the early 800s • The castle, Gutenberg, has been the center of town since the early to mid 1200s • Total area of historic town was ~ 7 sq miles • Total area of modern town is 7.6 sq miles
Seismic History • Area is noted as seismically active for all of human history • No record kept for Balzers, but kept for the Swiss side of the Rhine Valley • Record shows earthquakes and associated hazards are known for the area from Roman times to modern • Average is two earthquakes a day, usually under M2.0
http://www.seismo.ethz.ch/eq_swiss/Erdbeben_1975-2011.png?hireshttp://www.seismo.ethz.ch/eq_swiss/Erdbeben_1975-2011.png?hires
Location of historic and modern Balzers http://www.seismo.ethz.ch/eq_swiss/Erdbeben_1975-2011.png?hires
Seismic Hazards http://www.seismo.ethz.ch/silva_ethz/ETH/erdw/seismo/seismo/research/groups/gbilder/hazard_map_475y_500px.png?hires
Seismic Hazards Affecting Balzers • Landslides • Rockfall • Avalanches • Soil Liquefaction • Floods • Fires
Building Codes • Within the past five years, particularly after a M5.4 hit the Rhine Valley in 2012, building codes have been rapidly updated • All new buildings must be built to code, but older buildings are not subject to upgrade • Need for updating of codes was raised due to the percentage of damage found in buildings constructed under ‘modern’ code • Discrepancy lies in the relative lack of damage recorded in ‘historic’ structures
Damage Assessment • 68% of modern buildings affected • Under 10% of ‘historic’ (1800s or earlier) buildings affected • Modern building damage = cracking in walls and foundations, broken glass, balcony detachments • ‘Historic’ building damage = settlement of foundation footings, micro-cracking of exteriors
Construction Differences • Modern codes versus older methods of construction • Modern houses/resort housing versus farm houses • Example of Gutenberg – 12th century style construction
Thank You • Thank you for attending this presentation