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What will be the impact of a major earthquake on UC Berkeley? This question was posed by a FEMA-sponsored study conducted by Professor Mary Comerio. In collaboration with Professors Vitelmo Bertero and John Quigley, she explored the potential economic losses stemming from a major earthquake.

To learn more about the study and to obtain a copy of the report, visit

• The Economic Benefits of a Disaster Resistant University

The publication of this report received a lot of coverage in the local media.

• UC Berkeley vulnerable in major quake - SF Chronicle
• Major quake could close UC Berkeley for year, report says - KTVU Channel 2
• Picture it: Quake shuts down Cal - Contra Costs Times

The report is part of the Disaster Resistant University Initiative, which is a component of FEMA's Project Impact. This program focuses on steps communities can take to mitigate future hazard. The new UC Berkeley study will be a component in the development of a strategic plan for reducing earthquake loss and provides information for fine-tuning the Seismic Action Plan for Facilities Enhancement and Renewal (SAFER) Program. UC Berkeley currently has a number of buildings undergoing seismic upgrades and tests its emergency response capabilities in drills such as Quake 2000 and Quake 2003.

Berkeley Seismological Laboratory
202 McCone Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720-4760
Questions and comments to www@seismo.berkeley.edu
Copyright 2003, The Regents of the University of California.
Last modified: Wed Mar 16 09:37:44 PST 2005