Most of downtown Toronto on hydraulic fill

Reference

This is a fun article, showing the original maps.  If we were to take the threat of a big earthquake seriously, then we would look at these old maps.  Hydraulic fill is just dirt dumped into water, and is the worst for earthquake amplification.  When we have our m7, nothing on it will stand.

These maps show how the natural fill from the lake currents stand in relation to the modern city.  All the big towers and condos have foundations that go down to rock, so they should be ok, except for soft-story condos.

I especially like how unfilled the islands were.  Early settlers stole all the boulder lag from the Scarborough Bluffs, and this added greatly to the islands.

Oklahoma ramping up for a big election earthquake

** this is a trumpy-type joke

ATTENTION ALL OKLAHOMA!  We know you are going to vote for the harasser, but if you do, Mama Nature is going to be pissed.  It's all your right-wing, non-secular voting that got you into this, in the first place.

The last few days have shown a lot of activity, when it should be settling down for the winter.  When the shoe drops, this is going to be the Big One that will make New Madrid look like a tea party.  After you vote, set up a tent, away from your unsecured chimney, and watch the election results.  Watch for the birds, then hold on to the ground for dear life.

**

ps.  Still very hot earthquake activity.  Watch out!

Cashing out of the Toronto housing market

My relatives are retiring in Huntsville and selling their house around Toronto.  Normally, that's not a big difference to go to hot Muskoka, but their house is in even hotter Unionville.  They should clear a bit of money.