[NHCOLL-L:1804] glass-topped insect drawers - earthquake risk?

[Joanna Morton]

Te Papa is located in an earthquake zone, probably roughly comparable to
California. We currently store our insect specimens pined in glass-topped
drawers housed within cabinets. We are currently developing a standard for
earthquake mitigation for our natural history collections and this has
raised the issue of glass in storage furniture being a potential hazard to
collections in the event of an earthquake. 

How do other institutions in earthquake zones store their insect specimens?

Has anyone evaluated this storage technique in terms of earthquake risk? One
mitigation option we are considering is specifying that the glass which is
used be laminated or able to withstand a certain level of stress. Has anyone
evaluated whether this is necessary or what type of glass would be needed?

Many thanks for any help,

Joanna Morton
Conservator, Objects
Te Papa, The Museum of New Zealand

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