This research program is part of the initiative to collect perishable data resulting from the 17 October 1989 Northern California (Loma Prieta) earthquake. The objective is to collect data on the performance of underground natural gas distribution systems. These data include, as a minimum, information on earthquake damage to natural gas facilities, data on the type and extent of repairs to natural gas systems, documentation of emergency response and recovery efforts, data on the number of natural gas-related fires associated with the earthquake, and information on areas of severe ground displacement or settlement. Dr. Eguchi was responsible for collecting preliminary information on natural gas systems for the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute reconnaissance effort for the Loma Prieta earthquake.
