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Climate change and seismic resilience: Key considerations for Alaska's infrastructure and built environment
Matthew M Turner1, Majid Ghayoomi2, Katharine Duderstadt3
1Parsons Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Plos One
|October 18, 2023
Summary
Alaska faces significant earthquake hazards and rapid climate change impacts. This research explores how climate-driven environmental shifts affect seismic resilience in Alaska's infrastructure and built environment.
Area of Science:
- Earthquake Engineering
- Climate Change Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Alaska is highly seismically active and warming at twice the national rate.
- Climate change impacts (permafrost thaw, sea ice melt) alter the natural and built environment.
- These changes influence the seismic response of infrastructure systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss challenges posed by earthquake hazards and climate change to Alaska's infrastructure.
- To identify needs for improving seismic resilience in Alaska's built environment.
- To integrate engineering and human-environmental systems perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Interviews with researchers and decision-makers.
- Workshop discussions.
- Analysis of policy, mitigation, and adaptation strategies.
Main Results:
- Climate-driven environmental changes significantly impact seismic risk.
- Existing infrastructure faces novel challenges due to these combined hazards.
- Interdisciplinary approaches are crucial for enhancing resilience.
Conclusions:
- Urgent attention is needed for policy, mitigation, and adaptation measures.
- Improving seismic resilience requires integrating engineering with coupled human-environmental systems.
- Proactive strategies are essential for Alaska's built environment's future.
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