How Does the Port of Oakland View Its Vulnerability to Future Earthquakes?
The Port of Oakland conducted studies of its vulnerability after both the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1995 Kobe earthquake. The Port of Oakland experienced about 0.3 g peak ground acceleration during the 1989 earthquake, while the Port of Kobe experienced approximately 0.8 g, a significantly higher amount (Kayen and others, 1998, p.B61; EERI, 1995b, p.69). The Port of Oakland’s studies show that, in comparison to Kobe, the soils in Oakland are muddier and less sandy. In addition, the Port of Oakland uses pilings, ranging from 20 to 100 feet in depth, rather than caissons – with the pilings considered a sounder approach. The 29 deep water berths in Oakland are 35-45 feet deep in comparison to Kobe where they are greater than 100 feet deep (personal comm., Mark O’Brien, Port of Oakland, 1995). The Port is in the process of analyzing the existing soil conditions for many of its existing berth embankments and local backlands at a cost of approximately $850,000. The evaluation will
