Faults, earthquakes, LNG, public safety

Faults, earthquakes, LNG, puTo the editor:

The Massachusetts State Geologist has called for a complete and thorough study ofthe faulting and earthquakes in the area of Mt. Hope Bay for Weaver’s Cove Energy’s proposed LNG site. The cumulative work of more than a century shows over 30 known faults project into the bay, and studies within the bay by URI indicate many more.

Furthermore, those exposed at the west side of Mt. Hope Bay are some of the youngest ones known in New England. It is movement along such young faults that causes the zone of earthquakes from Seekonk down the Sakonnet River. One occurred in the river off the south side of the bay in 2002.

The paucity of seismographs in the region results in poor locations for the events and many are probably not recorded. Although these earthquakes are generally small, southem New England is known to have been more active in the 17th and 18 centuries and it is hard to rule out larger ones.

A Corps of Engineers study gives the bay a potential for a magmtude 5.5 earthquake.

Weaver’s Cove Energy claims to have made exhaustive and thorough studies, but I have not been able to find any recognition and evaluation of these known faults or local earthquakes, let alone evidence of exploration for others in their reports; not even references to the relevant geologic and earthquake studies.

The company did do some drilling in the bay, but, as yet, has neither identified the rock encountered nor released the actual boring data that might identify faults.

All faults around a site for a nuclear power plant must be investigated, and if there is evidence showing a potential for active fault movement the site is not developed. The problem of faulting is much different from designing construction to withstand a certain level of seismic motion.

Sites for power plants and dams have been abandoned in New England because of potentially active faults, and similar situations would have precluded sites for underground storage of high-level radioactive waste.

LNG facilities have the potential to cause a great disaster and need to be held to the same standards as other critical facilities for public safety. I concur with the Massachusetts State Geologist that a thorough and complete investigation be made. I would consider anything less imprudent and irresponsible.

Patrick Barosh

Bristol

The writer is a consulting geologist who has studied faults and earthquakes in the region for the U.S. Geological Survey, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Corps of Engineers, and Department of Energy. He believe many earthquakes in the East Bay have not been properly recorded and he would appreciate it if those remembering past earthquakes, which may sound like explosions, to send the approximate date and location and what it felt or sounded like to 103 Aaron Ave., Bristol, RI 02809

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