—Join Us For Discussions of Lessons Learned to Advance Seismic Safety Initiatives
Twenty-five years after the Nisqually earthquake shook the Puget Sound region, the City of Seattle is gathering at Seattle City Hall to remember the day the ground moved—and to continue important conversations about the city’s ongoing seismic preparedness.
On Thursday, February 26, from 6:00–8:00 PM, the City of Seattle will host a public commemoration marking the 25th anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake in the Bertha Knight Landes Room at Seattle City Hall. The evening will bring together leading earthquake scientists, disaster professionals, engineers, and local officials for reflection, education, and renewed urgency.
This year’s event also follows the Mayor’s official Proclamation declaring February 28, 2026, as Nisqually Earthquake Commemoration Day, calling upon residents, businesses, labor partners, and institutions to reflect on the lessons of the past; support seismic safety initiatives; advance the retrofitting of vulnerable buildings; and commit to identifying and addressing additional seismic risks for all who live in, work in, and visit Seattle.
While the anniversary offers a moment to measure progress since 2001, it also highlights a missed milestone: Washington State lawmakers did not pass HB 1810 this session, legislation that would have advanced overdue support for retrofitting unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings—the state’s most vulnerable structures in a seismic event. The failure of HB 1810 represents a lost opportunity to protect lives, preserve housing, and strengthen communities before disaster strikes.
Nisqually at 25: The Earthquake We Survived — And Preparing for the Next One will feature remarks and presentations from individuals who experienced the quake firsthand and experts working today to reduce future risk:
- Ryan Molenkamp, artist, will exhibit selections from Fear of Earthquakes, his acclaimed series capturing the emotional weight of living with seismic uncertainty.
- Brian Surratt, Seattle Deputy Mayor, will deliver opening remarks on the City’s resilience efforts and the path forward.
- Harold Tobin, Director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, will discuss the science of the Nisqually earthquake and what we now understand about the region’s seismic risks.
- Jon Siu, Seattle’s Building Official during the quake, will recount building damage, closures, and critical structural lessons learned.
- Jim Mullen, Seattle’s Emergency Manager during Nisqually and former Director of Washington State Emergency Management, will speak about leading emergency operations that day and the long-term challenges of statewide preparedness.
- Kyle Steuck, President of the Washington Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, will connect Seattle’s risks to global earthquake losses and highlight what modern engineering tells us must still be done.
- Amanda Hertzfeld, Seattle URM Program Manager, will provide updates on the City’s recent retrofit efforts and explain why state-level action remains urgent.
Why This Matters Now
Unreinforced masonry buildings—common throughout many of Seattle’s historic neighborhoods—remain among the deadliest building types in earthquakes. Many include small businesses, cultural institutions, and naturally occurring affordable housing. Retrofitting these structures is not optional; it is among the region’s most pressing life-safety needs.
The Nisqually earthquake caused widespread damage but occurred deep underground and south of Seattle, sparing the city from the devastation that a larger or closer event could bring. Experts warn that the next major earthquake may not be as forgiving. This anniversary is not just about remembering, it’s about what we choose to do now—before the next quake makes the decision for us.
Event Details:
Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall
600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA
RSVP here