Nogales, AZ: what USGS's seismic model says

Nogales carries Seismic Design Category B under USGS's ASCE 7-16 model. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Nationally, Nogales ranks above 52% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 52th percentile.

Nogales by the numbers

USGS's underlying values for Nogales: 0.086g peak ground acceleration, 0.194g at short period, 0.068g at 1 second. Within Arizona alone, Nogales ranks 41 of 57 cities by seismic hazard - the 29th percentile in-state. Nogales has a population of about 19,965.

Retrofit economics for Nogales

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Arizona specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Arizona.

Earthquake insurance for a Nogales home

A Nogales homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Nogales's figures come from

Nogales's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Nogales.