Distribution of intensity for the Westmorland, California, earthquake of April 26, 1981
Open-File Report
82-485
By: L.M. Barnhard, P.C. Thenhaus, and Sylvester Theodore Algermissen
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Abstract
The maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of the April 26, 1981 earthquake located 5 km northwest of Westmorland, California is VII. Twelve buildings in Westmorland were severely damaged with an additional 30 sustaining minor damage. Two brick parapets fell in Calipatria, 14 km northeast of Westmorland and 10 km from the earthquake epicenter. Significant damage in rural areas was restricted to unreinforced, concrete-lined irrigation canals. Liquefaction effects and ground slumping were widespread in rural areas and were the primary causes of road cracking. Preliminary local government estimates of property loss range from one to three million dollars (Imperial Valley Press, 1981). The earthquake was felt over an area of approximately 160,000 km2; about the same felt area of the October 15, 1979 (Reagor and others, 1980), and May 18, 1940 (Ulrich, 1941) Imperial Valley earthquakes.
Suggested Citation
Barnhard, L., Thenhaus, P., and Algermissen, S.T., 1982, Distribution of intensity for the Westmorland, California, earthquake of April 26, 1981: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 82-485, 37 p., ill. ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr82485.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Distribution of intensity for the Westmorland, California, earthquake of April 26, 1981 |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 82-485 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr82485 |
| Year Published | 1982 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Description | 37 p., ill. ;28 cm. |