An earthquake hazard evaluation carried out by a respected Japanese outfit has sent shock waves reverberating through Zapopan city hall.
The study by Miyamoto Internacional revealed that 90 percent of dwellings in the metro-area municipality are at serious risk of damage from a major quake.
The most vulnerable zone is a corridor running from Puerto de Hierro to Colonia Constitucion, the study said.
The study, commissioned by Zapopan Mayor Pablo Lemus, estimated that in the worst case quake scenario 29 percent of dwellings in the municipality could suffer serious damage, while fatalities could reach 2,100, with17,000 injured.
Miyamoto International is a global structural and earthquake engineering firm best known for its work in California earthquake design for new and existing buildings, as well as in the reconstruction of Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Christchurch, New Zealand, following earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.
Following the results of the study, Lemus said he would implement an earthquake prevention plan as soon as possible. Based on Miyamoto International’s recommendations, priority will be given to 39 zones considered most at risk, he said.
A 7.7-magnitude quake in 1875 is the strongest registered in Zapopan’s history.