This is a simulation of what an 8 point earthquake could look like in Southern California. Photo: SCEC
Overall, living in Southern California is awesome. Sure, it’s crowded, and the freeways are a mess, and there’s smog etc. But the winters are mild, the summers are glorious, and we’re blessed with one big long stretch of coast line that still has a few nooks and crannies for any surfer willing to venture off the beaten path. Plus, during the winter you can surf in the morning and snowboard in the afternoon. Try to beat that. The one serious downside of living in California? Earthquakes.
If you’ve lived here long enough, by now, you’re used to the occasional rattle. Most of the time you either sleep through them or don’t notice them at all. Day to day, they’re just not a big deal. However, the latest report from the Southern California Earthquake Center is a bit unsettling. At the National Earthquake Conference in Long Beach last week, an expert explained that the Southern California portion of the San Andreas Fault is “locked, loaded, and ready to roll.” Lovely.
The San Andreas Fault is California’s longest and most dangerous fault lines. It runs all the way from North of the Bay Area down to the Mexican border. Although the entire state is at risk for a quake, the Southern California section of the fault appears to be at the greatest risk for “the big one.”
The biggest problem? This section of the plate should be releasing about 16 feet of accumulated plate movement every 100 years. However, this section hasn’t experienced a large quake since a 7.9 earthquake way back in 1857. Since then, the fault has been far too quiet. Thomas Jordan, the director of the Southern California Earthquake Center said in his opening address at the conference, “The springs on the San Andreas system have been wound very, very tight.”
The center estimates that a quake as significant as 8 points on the Richter scale could be approaching in the future. This kind of an earthquake could cause serious damages, and it could majorly disrupt life in Southern California. A 2008 US Geological Survey report claimed that a 7.8 earthquake in the region could cause over 1,800 deaths, 200,000 injuries, $200 billion in damages, and put the sewer system out of commission for 6 months. That’s not a good situation.
Unfortunately, there is little scientists can do to predict exactly when an earthquake will strike, and there’s only so much you can do when one happens. However, what you can do, is be prepared. Below is a list tasks you should complete now as well as a list of items you should keep stored in a cool, dry, easy to access place in your home. These small efforts could make a big difference if and when a quake occurs.
Tasks
-Make sure that non-architectural elements of your home and office are well secured (TV’s, shelves, cabinets, etc.) Minimizing the amount of falling objects and debris is key when dealing with a quake situation.
-Understand your home. Know which parts of your home are most vulnerable. Fix them if you can, and if nothing else, design your emergency plan around these areas.
-Come up with a plan. Tell your kids. This helps reduce confusion and fear in a real situation.
Disaster Kit
-Non-perishable foods for 4-days. Trail mix, granola bars, and canned foods are good options.
-Bottled water for 4 days.
-Jackets and sweatshirts.
-Flashlight and pack of batteries.
-Sturdy shoes.
-Blankets/ Space blankets.
-Any essential medications along with a first aid kit.
-Candles and matches and lighters.
-Basic tools: knife, shovel, hammer, screwdriver, rope, scissors.
-Portable radio with batteries.
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