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Nearly 75% of the U.S. could experience a damaging earthquake in the next 100 years, new USGS map shows
The United States Geological Survey warned that nearly 75% of the U.S. could face potentially damaging earthquakes and intense ground shaking in the next 100 years.
The agency shared new maps Wednesday, showing the areas that are most at risk. A team of more than 50 scientists and engineers created the map based on seismic studies, historical geological data and the latest data-collection technologies, according to the USGS.
They were able to identify nearly 500 additional fault lines that could produce damaging earthquakes.
In the last 200 years, 37 U.S. states have seen earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5, “highlighting a long history of seismic activity across this country,” the USGS said.
Which areas are most at risk?
The USGS noted that it is not making predictions.
“No one can predict earthquakes,” the agency wrote. “However, by investigating faults and past quakes, scientists can better assess the likelihood of future earthquakes and how intense their shaking might be.”
The new model shows that the seismically active regions of California and Alaska are at risk of earthquakes.
The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and Alaska’s Rat Islands Earthquake the following year were among the 10 worst worldwide since 1900, the USGS noted in 2019.
There are about 10,000 earthquakes a year in the Southern California area, though most of them are not felt. Only around 15-20 are greater than magnitude 4.0.
Hawaii also faces potential earthquakes due to recent volcanic eruptions and seismic unrest. There hasn’t been a comprehensive assessment of Hawaii’s earthquake risk published since 1998, and the last time one was published about Alaska was in 2007, the USGS said.
Researchers said they also found the possibility of more damaging earthquakes along the central and northeastern Atlantic Coastal corridor, including in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
Implications of the map
USGS geophysicist Mark Petersen considers the new model “a touchstone achievement for enhancing public safety.”
The USGS said the latest earthquake model could be helpful for the construction industry by providing critical information for architects and engineers. Earthquake models can also help policymakers across the country.
California, for instance, is offering $3,000 grants for earthquake retrofitting.
“In earthquakes, houses can literally fall off their foundations if the ground moves side-to-side,” civil engineer Joe Demers from Alpha Structural told CBS Los Angeles. “We frequently see such failures during earthquakes.”
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Do you need photo ID to vote for the 2024 election? Here’s a state-by-state look at requirements
As Americans head to the polls on Election Day 2024 to choose between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, voters should know the required ID, if any, they need to present in order to submit their ballots depending on the state they are registered in.
There are 36 states that require voters to show some form of identification at the polls, either required or by request, and some that require photo documentation, the according to the National State Conference of Legislatures states. The remaining 14 states and Washington, D.C. use other means to verify the identity of voters. In most cases, other identification information provided at the polling place is checked against that person’s records on file.
Voters are recommended to check their state’s polling hours and their registration status prior to visiting their voting location.
Here is a state-by-state breakdown of what states require identification: each state’s ID rules:
States that Require Photo ID for Voting
Nine states have strict photo ID requirements.
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Tennesse
- Wisconsin
States that Request Photo ID
In 14 states, if a voter does not have ID, the voter can either vote on a provisional ballot or in some states, sign an affidavit attesting to their identity.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Florida
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wyoming
States that Don’t Require Photo ID
In another 28 states, there is either no identification requirement or no photo identification requirement.
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virgina
- Washington
- West Virginia