Scientists crack question of multiple quakes; Flo planners to decide riprap; Port readies for winter; and OHV routes explored

Scientists track down source of earthquake cluster…

A group of previously unknown faults off the Oregon Coast was the source of a swarm of earthquakes last year. Oregon State University Geologist Robert Dziak (ZEE-ack) says the discovery about 140 miles southwest of Newport suggest the Juan de Fuca Plate is still actively converging with North America in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Scientists don’t know what set the quakes off and Dziak says they’re also not clear if they represent a normal release of stress within the plate or something else. Using a network of microphones, scientists recorded some 1,600 quakes over a two-month period last year. Most were between magnitude 3.0 and 4.0 but a few exceeded 5.0. Dziak says the quakes were centered deep below the ocean floor and few, if any, onshore felt them.

The Florence Planning Commission will review a request by the Oregon Department of Transportation tonight to place riprap around bridge piers to protect against erosion.
215 – “Half of the bridge the city is asked for approval on, the other half Lane County will deal with. This is part of thier $5.2 million rehabilitation that they’re doing on the Siuslaw River Bridge is to put some riprap underneath the bridge.”

Assistant City Manager Jacque Morgan says a similar request has been submitted to Lane County covering the southern approach to the bridge. O-DOT wants to replace rocks that had previously been placed around the piers but have washed away over the years.

Port of Siuslaw workers will begin placing protective log booms around its marinas next week. The barrier logs will help keep floating debris out of the marinas, preventing damage to both the docks and any boats that may be moored. Port of Siuslaw Manager Mark Freeman says despite the booms, crews still spend a considerable amount of time cleaning debris out of the berths. Freeman says boaters can help out by being sure to replace booms when entering or exiting the marinas.

A work group reviewing routes for off-highway users on the Oregon Dunes will take a tour of several different sites on the National Recreation Area next week. Central Coast Ranger Pam Gardner says the group will review existing routes near Winchester Bay on Friday, November Sixth. It’s the second in a series of six meetings held by the group. Earlier this month they met in Florence. Gardner says they’re made up of a wide variety of interests, charged with developing recommendations for the designation of O-H-V routes in upland vegetated areas of the Oregon Dunes.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Prep Volleyball:
The Mapleton Sailors spotted the Lakers of Triangle Lake the first game, but then swept the next three to advance to a Mountain West League playoff match tonight against Lowell. Also on the schedule, Siuslaw Volleyball is on the road to Winston where they’ll take on the Douglas Trojans. The Reedsport Braves are at home against Cascade Christian.
Athlete of the Week:
Mapleton football standout Chad Walker is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week. The Sailor standout carried the ball 14 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s Mapleton Victory over Triangle Lake. Walker also caught two passes for 84 yards and accounted for 20 tackles defensively. Four of those tackles were for negative yards, including one sack for a 20 yard loss. Honorable mention goes to Siuslaw Wide Receiver Eric Tipler who caught four passes for 81 yards and one touchdown in the Vikings’ victory over North Bend.