ABC LA Quake Cam 13:20 EST 8/8/12
# 6480
On the heels of yesterday’s 4.4 magnitude temblor centered in Yorba Linda, California we’ve two more moderately-sized jolts this morning in roughly the same area, coming in first - at 4.5 magnitude – quickly followed by another at 3.4 magnitude.
There no reports as yet of damage or injuries, and at these magnitudes, little is expected. But these temblors serve as a not-so-gentle reminder that Los Angeles is at risk of much stronger quakes.
With National Preparedness Month less than 3 weeks away, this seems an opportune time to remind folks that seismic risks extend far beyond California. While large earthquakes in the eastern half of the country are comparatively rare, they do happen.
As you can see by the map below, most of the United States is seismically active – with Alaska, Hawaii, the west coast, and the Midwest seeing the most – and strongest, quakes.
USGS map
Last year, in Estimating The Economic Impact Of A San Andreas Quake, we looked at a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that endeavored to gauge the crippling impact that a highly feasible (and long overdue) 7.8 magnitude Southern California earthquake would have on jobs and local businesses.
A quake of this magnitude, they estimate, could affect 430,000 businesses and 4.5 million workers and deliver a devastating – and prolonged – blow to the local economy.
While huge death tolls are considered unlikely in this scenario, the untimely demise of thousands of unprepared businesses is all but assured.
This latest seismic activity makes this a pretty good time to remind my readers about the study from 2010 (see Revised Risk Of `The Big One’ Along San Andreas Fault) that suggests that Southern California may be more overdue for another major quake than previously thought.
Since we can’t prevent earthquakes, or predict them, the only recourse is to prepare for them . . . as individuals, businesses, and communities.
For a comprehensive guide on how you can prepare for `the big one’ (even if you live someplace other than Los Angeles), I would recommend you download, read, and implement the advice provided by the The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.
The Great California Shakeout website invites you to participate once again in this year’s state-wide earthquake drill on October 18th at 10:18 a.m. For regions outside of California, you can check here for Shakeout Drills in your area.
And lastly, to become better prepared as an individual, family, business owner, or community to deal with these types of disasters: I would invite you visit the following preparedness sites.
FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm
READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/
AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/
