Memphis may relax seismic codes

The Memphis City Council moved forward an ordinance easing the building codes for earthquake protection. The measure must pass a third and final reading to become law.

The Council’s action comes after the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America published new research that estimates a 7-7.5 magnitude earthquake will impact 8 million people up to 200 miles away from the New Madrid Seismic Zone for up to 60 seconds.

A University of Memphis professor says the longer the earth shakes the more of a problem it is for any structure to hold up, even if it is well designed.

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