West Meade Neighborhood Association and TN Rep. Caleb Hemmer are attempting to fund a research project proposed by the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis. The legislature did not approve the budget to fund the research, and I suspect that is partly because we, as residents, have not been loud enough. So far, over 90 residents have filled out the survey, and stated that they feel they have foundational or cosmetic damage as a result of the blasting from the River Road Vulcan Materials quarry. If you have not filled out the survey, but feel you have blasting damage, please take the survey here.
Has Any Research Been Done?
To date, there has been some research, but mostly CERI has been gathering seismographic data of the blasts that have occurred in the last year. The researchers have also been reviewing existing research on vibration damage, and the background of the current vibration regulations.
In October of 2024, Dr. Stephen Horton (from CERI) gave a presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Section of the Seismological Society of America, titled “What is the appropriate shaking limit for blasting near Nashville, TN?” In this presentation, Dr. Horton highlights the obvious discrepancies between what current thought believes is acceptable vibration in the United States vs. what is considered acceptable in the rest of the world. He also points out the shortcomings of the research on vibration effects on older, and even historic homes. Here is the abstract of the talk:
What’s Our Next Step?
In the presentation, Dr. Horton displays a video of a blast from within a home in West Meade on a continuous loop. The video shows not only visible vibration, but also audio of the blast. He points out that the measured reading of the blast is in the range that current thinking claims is “barely perceptible” by humans. It is very compelling. WMNA is attempting to arrange a Legislature Briefing on the blasting issue, and hope to get Dr. Horton to present it to the Legislature. We have asked Sen. Heidi Campbell if she would co-host the briefing, and we are awaiting her reply. I believe getting the legislature to understand the issue better might improve our chances of getting the research funded in the 2026 budget.
This briefing would be a first step in a process to get the Tennessee Legislature to take action, initially by funding the research, and in the future, by taking steps to fix the regulation and possibly assist residents in the repairs of their homes.
UPDATE (10/12/2025): Received this letter from Heidi Campbell’s office:
Dear Paul,
Thank you for following up on your request to hold a legislative briefing on the impacts of quarry blasting. Currently, the legislature is not in session, and the likelihood of scheduling something on the legislative calendar is very low, as it is an issue that does not relate to specific legislation.
That said, we recognize the work you’ve put into compiling information and engaging experts, and we appreciate your commitment to raising awareness of this issue. Once session resumes, if there is an opportunity for members to consider a presentation or briefing, we will revisit the request and be in touch.
In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to share any materials or updates with our office by email—we are happy to review and keep them on file for future reference.
Best regards,
-Beth
Beth Joslin Roth
Legislative Director
Senator Heidi Campbell
So, apparently after saying it was a good idea, Sen. Campbell’s office decided differently. Here is my reply:
Hi All,
Just as a reminder, our request is just for a date to hold the briefing so that we can secure Dr. Horton for his presentation. If we can’t choose a date until the legislature is in session, that is fine., but I would like to secure a day, time and venue as soon as possible.
If the funding of the research project, which was suggested by Rep. Hemmer to determine if the current blasting regulation is too lax, and if the current blasting could be causing harm to constituents’ property, were a shoe-in, I would forgo the briefing altogether. However, I feel like the current atmosphere in the state is to ignore constituents and cater to business interests, so I felt there needed to be an awareness. Dr. Horton’s presentation is quite compelling.
At an average cost of $20,000 per resident, to fix foundational and cosmetic problems in their homes, this represents over $2M of constituents’ money, and in a neighborhood with a majority of retired people on a fixed income - that’s a lot of money.
As I’ve said multiple times before, everybody but the residents (and your offices, I hope), have incentive to create and spread information that the blasting at Vulcan Materials' River Road Quarry does NOT cause damage to homes. We are the only ones who do not have a monetary reason to try to make the public, and the State Government, believe that their blasting is harmless. Whether it is causing the damage or not, this incentive automatically puts an information bias on the side of Vulcan and the state government. Ethical logic tells us to get to the truth WITHOUT any bias. The people I feel for the most for are those who sit in their homes resigned to the fact that there is nothing they can do but struggle to pay thousands because the billion-dollar industry has more sway over the state than its tax-paying residents.
I am typically an introvert, and am held back by humility, but I am not without some education. I was raised by professors, went to Memphis State Campus School and the best high school in Memphis. I have a BS in Mathematics from UoM and a MS in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins. My father was Chair of the Physics Dept. at UoM for many years. He was a Rhodes Scholar who co-invented the vacuum gold-plating that has defined the circuit board industry for years. My mother held a PhD in Archeology and a PhD in Education. I’ve learned a lot about Physics, Geology, Pedology and Archeology.
My father taught a Physics of Music class in which he strung a large wire from one end of the auditorium to the other and plucked it, touching it in various places to show the effect of vibrational harmonics. If you stood at one end, holding the wire, the power of the vibration could knock you down!
The composition of our alluvial soil has allowed numerous documented landslides and sinkholes in West Meade which limits building along several hilly ridges. The vibrations of enormous sheets of limestone and shale shelves under our soil, much like a struck tuning fork, occurring 2 times a month or more for over 40 years could do nothing BUT cause shifting soil and collapsing foundations. Vulcan Materials has no ground for argument, except that it will impact their financial bottom line.
West Meade Neighborhood Association will continue to represent the residents of West Nashville, and we hope our elected officials will stand with them. Let me know when the legislature convenes, and I will plan to revisit this then.
Thanks,
Paul
Paul Garland
President
West Meade Neighborhood Association, Inc.
(a 501c3 Corporation)
https://westmeade.org
On November 4, I have a meeting with Rep. Hemmer. I am going to continue to keep on our representatives until they realize the importance. It would always help if you were to write them and let them know what this means to you!
If you would like to help us in this effort, please contact us and let us know.
Paul Garland
President, West Meade Neighborhood Association