March 6, 2002August 2, 2026

Some Observations of Geotechnical Aspects of the February 28, 2001, Nisqually Earthquake in Olympia, South Seattle, and Tacoma, Washington

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This report documents geotechnical observations from the February 28, 2001, Nisqually Earthquake, focusing on the performance of earth structures in Olympia, South Seattle, and Tacoma, Washington. It covers earth embankment failures, mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls, and solid waste landfills, including a detailed account of a landslide on Highway 101 near State Road 8. The Highway 101 embankment, approximately 15-20 meters high, failed during the earthquake and sent debris flowing approximately 150 meters downslope.

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As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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