“Fill a lake, start an earthquake”: Damming and Reservoir-Induced Seismicity

(April 04, 2000) A paper by Heather Gingerich, a medical geologist who specializes in hydrogeochemistry and the director of the Canadian chapter of the International Medical Geology Association, detailing evidence in support of reservoir-induced seismicity RIS as a distinct geophysical phenomenon causally related to reservoir impoundment. Continue reading →

International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Guidelines

The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) is a non-governmental International Organization which provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering. ICOLD publishes bulletins related to specific aspects of dam design and safety, including guidelines that are concerned with seismic aspects of dams, available on their website.

FEMA Earthquake analyses and design of dams

FEMA, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, has published Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: the document provides information on how dams are evaluated for earthquake safety, on dam design, and the different risks that various types of dam face from seismic activity, and on past experiences with dams during earthquakes. Read the document here. Further information on seismic issues and dam safety is available on the Association of State Dam Safety Officials site.