Damage from U.K. quake mainly due to weak building structures

Risk Management Solutions (RMS) estimates insured losses from the earthquake that shook the United Kingdom this week are up to 30 million (approx. Cdn$58.3 million), a sum reflecting the vulnerability of buildings in the area.The earthquake that struck Market Rasen in Lincolnshire is likely to have caused between 15 million and 30 million (approx. Cdn$29.1 million Cdn$58.3 million). The magnitude-5.2 earthquake could be felt across a wide radius, but created relatively low-level ground motions, an RMS release says.”The damage caused is largely a reflection of the vulnerability of the buildings, rather than the strength of the earthquake,” said Dr. Andrew Sorby, model manager for Europe earthquake at RMS.”Had the same event occurred in an area like California, where earthquake risk is high and properties are built to withstand ground-shaking, the damage would have been minimal.”RMS points to a similar magnitude earthquake that struck California in October of last year and caused very limited damage only a few cracked windows were reported.Many U.K. properties are made of masonry, which makes them more prone to severe cracking during earthquakes compared to wood-framed buildings, for example, RMS says.