(The abstract is extracted from Edwards M., Griffin M., Wehner M., Lam N., Corby N., Jakab M. and Habili N. (2010). "The Kalgoorlie Earthquake of the 20th April 2010: Preliminary Damage Survey Outcomes", Australian Earthquake Engineering Society 2010 Conference, Perth, Western Australia.)

Abstract

The seismicity of the Australian continent is low to moderate by world standards. However, the seismic risk is much higher for some types of Australian infrastructure. The legacy of older unreinforced masonry buildings, in particular, may contribute disproportionately to community risk.

At 8.17am on 20 April 2010 a ML 5.0 earthquake shook Kalgoorlie. The resultant ground motion was found to vary markedly across the town with the older masonry building stock in the suburb of Boulder experiencing a greater shaking intensity than buildings of a corresponding age and type in the Kalgoorlie business district 4 km away. The event has provided the best opportunity to examine the earthquake vulnerability of Australian buildings since the Newcastle Earthquake of 1989.

Figures and photos listed in the following were taken by Nelson Lam during the trip to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 17-20 May 2010.