East Coast Earthquake was Moderate but Significant, says UB Earthquake Researcher

"The earthquake was moderate but significant because we haven't had very many earthquakes of this magnitude in the eastern United States or eastern Canada," said Andre Filiatrault, PhD, professor of civil, structural and environmental engineering at the University at Buffalo and director of UB's MCEER (Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research).

"This earthquake will be useful in providing data to help us make better seismic maps," he said, adding that the quake's impact was probably more psychological than physical. "A good reminder that earthquakes can happen in the eastern part of North America."

Filiatrault said that the data collected from this quake will help scientists better predict where earthquakes may occur and help engineers design more durable buildings.

More information about UB's MCEER is available at http://mceer.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.