HK quake risk low (14.10.2015)

The latest studies conducted by the Civil Engineering & Development Department suggest Hong Kong's seismicity - how prone it is to earthquakes or tremors - can be classified as 'low to moderate'. The department’s Geotechnical Engineering Office and the Hong Kong Observatory held a media briefing today on the latest seismicity assessments and the possibility of earthquake-induced landslides in Hong Kong. The studies show that if man-made slopes and retaining walls are up to current geotechnical design standards, an earthquake will not have a significant effect on their stability, Senior Geotechnical Engineer Julian Kwan said. The probability of seismic activity triggering a landslide on a natural slope is lower than that induced by rain, he added. Records show there are about two earth tremors felt in Hong Kong every year. Although tremors recorded in Hong Kong are relatively minor, the Observatory reminds people to be alert when they feel a tremor, to stay calm and avoid overhanging objects. The Observatory is operating 10 earthquake monitoring stations in Hong Kong that monitor locally felt and worldwide quakes. (http://j.mp/1NcDT1l)