February 27, 2008
What Really Happens to the Space Needle in an Earthquake
Speculation abounded when Charles posted about a recent study showing what would happen to Seattle if a 9.0 quake hit us. The Space Needle was called out as an icon that wouldn't go down. Seattlest's dad is the resident earthquake-and-volcanoes disaster geologist in the family, so we asked for the truth. We were told to consult the disaster flick 10.5, a made for TV turd movie starring Kim Delany (you know, from CSI: Miami, or Law and Order, or, gasp, the OC!). It opens with an Extreme! urban mountain biker evading the quake (because you know, earthquakes chase people--but he was wearing a helmet, safety first!), and ultimately the Needle. Dad uses this clip as a joking intro to a University of Utah disaster course, where the students model disasters like a 9.0 quake hitting Seattle, or a sudden lahar wiping out Orting (where our in-laws live, har). Check it out for yourself:
As for the repercussions of a 9+ quake hitting Seattle? Dad says: "Yeah, you're fucked."
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Thanks for this -- I had forgotten how truly annoying the camera work on this "movie" was. I like how all the damage the earthquake does happens sequentially, following the path of the extreme biker dude. That's good to know! If you keep moving, stuff only falls *behind* you.
It's a shame that the turd's, er, movie's director disabled comments on YouTube. On the other hand, maybe it's just as well...
Why was that woman still in bed? How lazy is she?
I had no idea earthquakes were that cool, linear, and slowly trackable. Whatever that thing was in 2001 was nothing like this. I feel cheated.
It's a shame that the turd's, er, movie's director disabled comments on YouTube. On the other hand, maybe it's just as well...
This is why I don't go mountain biking. Too dangerous.
don't forget, this movie was so good, it had a SEQUEL - 10.5: Apocalypse!!!
Rad! Not only was my thesis ("We're all fucked") backed up by an expert, we got to see the completely awesome clip!
Jack- I think the lesson here is that we should ALL mountain bike. How else are we gonna get away from the earthquake?
There was a sequel? *runs, neh.. dashes to netflix*
The viaduct held up nicely, though...
Space Needle collapses in massive earthquake, destroying Downtown Vancouver.
Touche, Charles. Touche.