Cuba updates anti-quake protection system

Cuba updates anti-quake protection system
English.news.cn 2011-02-18 09:20:08
HAVANA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cuba is working on the revision and update
of the national earthquake resistance system, to ensure the safety of
buildings and population, before the possible threat of an major
earthquake, an expert said here Thursday.
Cuban civil engineer Ricardo Oliva, from the National Seismologic
Research Center, said that new methods on seismic engineering are being
applied in Cuba, based on foreign and local experiences learned from
recent earthquakes.
He added that one of the applied methods is a zone map, which
establishes the high, moderate and low levels of risk indexes by regions.
It also takes into account the analysis and the design of constructions,
and the use of instruments capable of warning strong quakes.
He added that after concluding the updating process, the experts from
other sectors will be consulted, while training the staff to work with
the new standards of the earthquake resistance system.
Cuba set in 1984 the minimal requirements for a building to resist an
earthquake.
Cuba is located near an earthquake risk zone in the western hemisphere,
and reports an average 20 moderate earthquakes annually, but after the
major earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, the telluric activity
increased in the country, thus it is necessary to update the local
seismic protection system, local media reported.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-02/18/c_13737551.htm