Post-quake lessons for power utilities

The damage done to utility facilities during major earthquakes in southern California is described, and the data and lessons they provide are examined. The primary step has been to build a database that can be used to predict what to expect from an earthquake, i.e., what degree of shaking might be expected at a specific location and how much an earthquake of a specified magnitude will damage facilities in any particular location. The data have been used to design power generation equipment and distribution equipment to withstand earthquakes with minimal damage. Each earthquake provides a test of existing equipment and is used to develop new design criteria.<>