Many of New York City's skyscrapers are constructed with earthquake-resistant designs to withstand tremors

New York City experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, causing the ground to rumble beneath famous skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and One World Trade Centre. Despite their height, engineering experts assure that skyscrapers are built with enough flexibility to withstand moderate shaking. Governor Kathy Hochul reported at least 25 aftershocks, with some felt in New York City, but no major damage was reported to the city's infrastructure or buildings. The iconic Empire State Building reassured the public by posting "I AM FINE" on social media. Elisabeth Malsch, a managing principal at Thornton Tomasetti, explained that New York's skyscrapers are designed to withstand winds and impacts far greater than the earthquakes typically seen on the East Coast. These tall structures are built with the capacity to sway slowly and slightly, protecting themselves against powerful winds. This flexibility makes them less susceptible to the ground-shaking action of earthquakes compared to shorter structures. Taller buildings are constantly tested by wind forces, ensuring they are strong enough and flexible enough to handle earthquakes. Ahmad Rahimian, an executive vice president at WSP Global, noted that high-rise buildings can be one of the safest places to be during an earthquake. Skyscrapers in New York City are generally built to withstand earthquakes of 6.5 magnitude and larger. More modern high-rises are equipped with dampers on their roofs that help balance sway and absorb shock from extreme events. Borys Hayda, a managing principal at DeSimone Consulting Engineering, emphasized the importance of designing for all potential risks, even though the possibility of earthquakes in New York is small. Older skyscrapers are constructed with high-strength concrete and steel to withstand the gravitational load on the massive structures. More modern buildings incorporate advanced technologies like dampers to enhance their resilience to seismic events. Despite the low probability of earthquakes in New York, engineers continue to design structures that can withstand all types of potential risks. Rahimian was involved in the construction of One World Trade Centre, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, as well as The Shard in London, the tallest building in Europe. In conclusion, New York City's skyscrapers are designed to be resilient to earthquakes, with the capacity to withstand significant shaking. The engineering principles behind these structures ensure that even the tallest buildings can sway and flex to absorb seismic forces. Advanced technologies like dampers further enhance their ability to withstand extreme events. While the recent earthquake caused some aftershocks in the area, New York's iconic buildings remained unscathed, showcasing the strength and durability of their design. https://therealcrimediary.com/many-of-new-york-citys-skyscrapers-are-constructed-with-earthquake-resistant-designs-to-withstand-tremors/?feed_id=36324&_unique_id=663685e2df9cb