Earthquakes…
On our Resources page, you will now find links to information about earthen buildings and earthquakes, including a recent statement from the International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH).
Since EBUKI mainly operates in the UK and Ireland where earthquakes are very rare, this topic is not a focus of the organisation. However, a recent thorough article by Senior Lecturer in Conservation at the University of York, Louise Cooke (our chair of trustees) may be of interest to read - see link below.
“In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, it is common for local building cultures to be blamed for their own destruction. My research into earth buildings shows, however, how this type of structure is in fact designed to be resilient. Vulnerabilities arise when patterns of knowledge transfer – and the traditional systems of repair and maintenance – are disrupted. Further, when new materials, such as concrete and cement, are introduced, they can be incompatible and so can reduce the buildings’ seismic resilience.”
“Seismic events are traumatic for local communities at their heart. Failing to understand the resilience of traditional building cultures makes the same communities even more vulnerable.”
Published 15 September 2023 on TheConversation.com