By Rodrigo Angeles
In 1989 California was hit by an earthquake of 6.9 magnitude. According to USGS it caused 63 deaths, 3,757 injured and 5.6-6 billion dollars in damage. It’s been 29 years since that day and California is overdue for another earthquake of 6.7 magnitude or higher. Are you prepared?
California has not been hit by an earthquake of 6 .9 magnitude or higher since. Seismologist (person who studies earthquakes) have said that Southern California is overdue for a big earthquake along the San Andreas Fault line.
This earthquake can be compared to the one in Mexico City in 1985 which was a magnitude of 8. According to Time Magazine the earthquake killed about 10,000 people and left 250,000 people homeless. The epicenter of the earthquake was 200 miles (320 km) away from the city itself.
My mother who was living in Oaxaca, Mexico at the time said she felt it from 462 kilometers (287.2599 Miles) away. This shows how powerful the earthquake was by hitting cities that were hundreds of miles away.
“Everything around us was shaking and my mother told me and my siblings to get out of the house,” she said in panic.
On the other hand my father was at Mexico City during the earthquake and helped out in the relief services. He described what he saw and felt “It was a powerful and dangerous because it had a duration of 3 minutes and it destroyed a lot of buildings and killed 10,000 people”
If this earthquake were to hit Los Angeles it would damage the port complex. According to CNBC the earthquake could cut off cargo that the nation is dependent on. It would cut off the major water supply in southern California. The earthquake would even cause a tsunami, and $300 billion in damages.
That is just the damage to materials, there is still peoples lives on the line. Many peoples lives could be ruined by this earthquake so I asked people about what they think would happen to them.
I asked my mother where would she go after the earthquake ended she responded with, “Depending on where I am. I would search for my kids and family members”
Then I proceeded to ask my father the same question and he responded with, “First I would look for a secure place and second try to help other people”
I then asked them if they felt prepared for the earthquake. My mother replied with, “Yes because I have all the basics flashlights, canned food, a way to contact people, and a meeting place.”
When my father was asked the same question he replied,
“Yes I believe I am prepared for the earthquake because I have earthquake drills at work”
According to Ready.gov, in the event of the earthquake there are things you can do to prepare yourself and protect you and your family during and after the earthquake. Here are several examples
To prepare yourself you should practice ‘Drop, Cover, Then hold on’ with you family and/or coworkers. You should secure your television and other objects if they are hanging on the wall. Store heavy objects and breakable objects on a lower shelves. You should also prepare a medical kit in case of injuries.
During the earthquake you should employ ‘Drop, Cover, then hold on’ until everything stops shaking. If there is better cover then crawl towards it. On the condition that your inside a building do not run outside. Suppose your on a bed cover your head and neck with your pillow. Assume your in your vehicle, stop in a clear area that is away from trees, underpasses, overpasses, buildings, and utility wires.
To be safe after the earthquake, you should expect aftershocks which will happen after the initial shock. Check yourself for any injuries and if you are trained please help others around you. Supposing that you are trapped cover your mouth and don’t shout. Find a way to make noise or send texts any way that helps people find you. On chance you’re in a damaged building go outside and get as far away from it. You should also be careful of post disaster clean up and do not try to lift heavy debris by yourself and wear protective gear. For more information click here: www.ready.gov.
Now that you know more information on earthquakes in general and what you can do to protect yourself. Do you honestly feel like you will survive the earthquake with what you just read?
In 1989 California was hit by an earthquake of 6.9 magnitude. According to USGS it caused 63 deaths, 3,757 injured and 5.6-6 billion dollars in damage. It’s been 29 years since that day and California is overdue for another earthquake of 6.7 magnitude or higher. Are you prepared?
California has not been hit by an earthquake of 6 .9 magnitude or higher since. Seismologist (person who studies earthquakes) have said that Southern California is overdue for a big earthquake along the San Andreas Fault line.
This earthquake can be compared to the one in Mexico City in 1985 which was a magnitude of 8. According to Time Magazine the earthquake killed about 10,000 people and left 250,000 people homeless. The epicenter of the earthquake was 200 miles (320 km) away from the city itself.
My mother who was living in Oaxaca, Mexico at the time said she felt it from 462 kilometers (287.2599 Miles) away. This shows how powerful the earthquake was by hitting cities that were hundreds of miles away.
“Everything around us was shaking and my mother told me and my siblings to get out of the house,” she said in panic.
On the other hand my father was at Mexico City during the earthquake and helped out in the relief services. He described what he saw and felt “It was a powerful and dangerous because it had a duration of 3 minutes and it destroyed a lot of buildings and killed 10,000 people”
If this earthquake were to hit Los Angeles it would damage the port complex. According to CNBC the earthquake could cut off cargo that the nation is dependent on. It would cut off the major water supply in southern California. The earthquake would even cause a tsunami, and $300 billion in damages.
That is just the damage to materials, there is still peoples lives on the line. Many peoples lives could be ruined by this earthquake so I asked people about what they think would happen to them.
I asked my mother where would she go after the earthquake ended she responded with, “Depending on where I am. I would search for my kids and family members”
Then I proceeded to ask my father the same question and he responded with, “First I would look for a secure place and second try to help other people”
I then asked them if they felt prepared for the earthquake. My mother replied with, “Yes because I have all the basics flashlights, canned food, a way to contact people, and a meeting place.”
When my father was asked the same question he replied,
“Yes I believe I am prepared for the earthquake because I have earthquake drills at work”
According to Ready.gov, in the event of the earthquake there are things you can do to prepare yourself and protect you and your family during and after the earthquake. Here are several examples
To prepare yourself you should practice ‘Drop, Cover, Then hold on’ with you family and/or coworkers. You should secure your television and other objects if they are hanging on the wall. Store heavy objects and breakable objects on a lower shelves. You should also prepare a medical kit in case of injuries.
During the earthquake you should employ ‘Drop, Cover, then hold on’ until everything stops shaking. If there is better cover then crawl towards it. On the condition that your inside a building do not run outside. Suppose your on a bed cover your head and neck with your pillow. Assume your in your vehicle, stop in a clear area that is away from trees, underpasses, overpasses, buildings, and utility wires.
To be safe after the earthquake, you should expect aftershocks which will happen after the initial shock. Check yourself for any injuries and if you are trained please help others around you. Supposing that you are trapped cover your mouth and don’t shout. Find a way to make noise or send texts any way that helps people find you. On chance you’re in a damaged building go outside and get as far away from it. You should also be careful of post disaster clean up and do not try to lift heavy debris by yourself and wear protective gear. For more information click here: www.ready.gov.
Now that you know more information on earthquakes in general and what you can do to protect yourself. Do you honestly feel like you will survive the earthquake with what you just read?