The Structural Extreme Events Reconnaissance (StEER) Network has issued an Event Briefing for the November 26, 2019 M6.4 earthquake in Albania. Event Briefings are typically released within 48 hours of an event for which StEER will not deploy virtual or field assessment teams, but still warrants some commentary. This briefing summarizes the event characteristics and key lessons learned.
Key Lessons:
• The Mw 6.4 earthquake that occurred on 11/26/19 was the second earthquake to hit the region within three months and the strongest to hit Albania in more than 40 years. It is considered the deadliest earthquake in Albania in the past 99 years and the world’s deadliest earthquake in 2019.
• The earthquake caused the collapse and severe damage of reinforced concrete (RC) and masonry buildings; a large number of fatalities and injuries are attributed to the strong shaking, reaching 0.5g PGA, low quality of construction, and presence of buildings with many seismic vulnerabilities.
• Construction that does not comply with current codes and standards as well as corruption in Albania's burgeoning building industry were mentioned by the authorities as the main reasons for low-quality construction.
• Photos of damaged RC buildings clearly show the presence of non-ductile features in collapsed RC buildings, such as lack of transverse reinforcement, strong-beam/weak-column proportions, lack of confinement at member ends, and weak/soft stories.
• Multicell clay blocks, which are not only very brittle, but also afford no option to reinforce or grout, were a noted vulnerability in masonry buildings and infill walls in RC buildings. The use of such brittle material should be outlawed in all earthquake-prone areas, including Albania and other countries around the region.
• This earthquake once again demonstrated that there can be fatal consequences if the principles of earthquake-resistant design are not followed; unfortunately, the presence of earthquake provisions in building codes are not enough unless they are executed properly.
Download the November 26 Event Briefing (pdf).
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