Unexpected-- earthquake 2011
Subtitle: lessons to be learned
By: edited by A. Elena Charola, Corine Wegener, and Robert J. Koestler
Series: Smithsonian contributions to museum conservation -- number 4
Publisher: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 105
Subjects: History; Earthquakes; Hurricanes; Museums; Collection management; Museum conservation methods; Earthquake damage; Hurricane damage; Museum buildings; Earthquake effects; Hurricane effects; Smithsonian Institution
Description: "This volume brings together eight chapters and six short communications that describe the problems that the August 23, 2011, earthquake caused to the Smithsonian Institution as it swept through the Washington, D.C. area. The first chapter corresponds to a summary of the presentation that Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough made to the Smithsonian at large nearly a month after the event. The second chapter gives an overview of the impact the earthquake had on buildings and collections. Other chapters describe in detail the damages as well as the post-seismic stabilization and/or repairs and conservation undertaken at various Smithsonian sites such as the historic Hempstead House on SERC's property in Maryland; on fossils in the National Museum of Natural History; on the Horticultural Library and the fluid collection; and at the Museum Support Center pods and overall structure and roof, where the subsequent hurricane Irene exposed many leaks over the offices and laboratories. The short communications report whether damage was suffered in various other Smithsonian museums. The final chapter brings together recommendations for measures to be implemented based on the gained experience. An epilog on the need for preparedness for unexpected emergencies closes the volume that also provides a bibliography relevant to this topic"--Provided by publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 103-105).
Table of contents: title: Preface / by A. Elena Charola and Robert J. Koestler; title: 1. Back to back : the earthquake and hurricane of 2011 / G. Wayne Clough; title: 2. 2011 seismic activity quakes the Smithsonian : the impact on buildings and collections / Elizabeth Sullivan and Mary U. Rogers; title: 3. Shake, rattle and roll : post seismic stabilization of the Historic Homestead House at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center / Sharon Park; title: 4. Examination, repair, consolidation, and conservation of the Natural History Museum's fossil specimens / Steve Jabo; title: 5. Bracing for disaster : but the shelves weren't, the Botany-Horticultural Library / Ann Juneau and Robin Everly; title: 6. When things get tipsy in the fluid collections : addressing what went wrong and preventing future damage / Suzanne Peurach; title: 7. Short communications; title: 7.1. National portrait gallery / Nik Apostolides; title: 7.2. Smithsonian American Art Museum / Christopher Wayner; title: 7.3. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden / Susan Lake and K. Towler; title: 7.4. National Museum of the American Indian / Justin Estoque; title: 7.5. Sackler Freer Gallery of Art / Bruce Young; title: 7.6. Paul A. Garber Facility / Charles Fry; title: 8. When a tempest breaks your teapots : seismic events and museological lesson / Jake Homiak; title: 9. Compounded damage : earthquake and Hurricane Irene at MSC / P.T. DePriest, E. Dietrich, O. Madden, E. Sullivan, and A.E. Charola; title: 10. Conclusions and recommendations / N. Bechtol, W. Tompkins, K. Button, C. Hawks, and A.E. Charola; title: Epilog / by Corinne Wegener; title: Bibliography on earthquake damage and natural disasters (museums and collections).