UW's earthquake-hazard map project struggles to survive
The University of Washington project that produced some of the nation's most detailed geologic maps is in danger of being shut down — another victim of the sluggish economy.
Seattle Times science reporter
STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Geologist Kathy Troost, left, director of GeoMapNW, discusses orientation of crossbeds at a gravel pit in Issaquah with one of her employees, Aaron Wisher. Troost has just had to lay off Wisher because of budget cuts to the University of Washington project.
Information
GeoMapNW: geomapnw.ess.washington.edu
The University of Washington project that produced some of the nation's most detailed geologic maps is in danger of being shut down — another victim of the sluggish economy.
The work of GeoMapNW gives planners, builders and homeowners a window into the Earth, revealing the soil types and layers that lie below. The information has been used to plan countless construction projects in Seattle and surrounding communities, and estimate how vulnerable neighborhoods are to earthquake damage.
"We use it on a daily basis," said Susan Chang, head of the geotechnical engineering group at Seattle's Department of Planning and Development.
Along with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the city of Seattle helped launch GeoMapNW in 1998 and joined King County in supporting its work for many years.
But tight budgets have forced both the city and county to pull their funding — a total of about $100,000 a