Sharon, PA: what USGS's seismic model says

Sharon 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, Sharon ranks above 36% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 36th percentile.

How Sharon compares

USGS's underlying values for Sharon: 0.059g peak ground acceleration, 0.116g at short period, 0.046g at 1 second. Within Pennsylvania alone, Sharon ranks 105 of 193 cities by seismic hazard - the 46th percentile in-state. Sharon has a population of about 12,744.

Retrofit economics for Sharon

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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

Earthquake insurance for a Sharon home

A Sharon 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 Sharon's figures come from

Sharon'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 Sharon.