Avian Flu Diary: The 2012 Great SouthEast ShakeOut

# 6490

While it may come as a bit of a surprise to many southerners, parts of the Southeastern United States have a history of strong and damaging earthquakes.

Just last year, sections of Virginia and Washington, D.C. were rattled by a `surprise’ 5.8 earthquake centered in Mineral, Virginia (see USGS Statement On The Virginia Earthquake).

But by far, the most destructive `Dixie quake’ was the (Est. 7.3-7.6 magnitude) earthquake that struck and devastated much of Charleston, South Carolina in 1886. Shaking was felt as far north as Boston, south to Cuba, and west as far as New Orleans.

An earthquake of that size today, in the same area, it is estimated would produce:

45,000 injuries
9,000 hospitalizations
900 fatalities
200,000 displaced or homeless persons
20 billion dollars in Damage

While far less powerful, 26 years later another quake struck the Palmetto state in Union County.

And in recent years, geologists in South Caroloina have found evidence of at least 5 large earthquakes over the past 5,000 years (Amick and Gelinas, 1991). Concerns run high enough over seeing a repeat performance that the state has produced their own 5-page Earthquake guide.

Below you’ll find an earthquake hazard map from FEMA’s website covering the central and eastern United States. The colors in the map reflect “seismic design categories” (SDCs), which anticipates the likely intensity of seismic shaking in a region.

As you can see, the New Madrid region in Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas is considered at highest risk, but the coastal region of South Carolina, and areas of North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia are at seismic risk as well.

Starting in California, in 2008, the Great California Shakeout drill was designed to involve as many citizens as possible in a yearly earthquake drill.

Over the next few years, Oregon, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Guam, and the Central States joined in with their own Shakeout Drills:

The Great Utah ShakeOut

The Great Central U.S. Shakeout:2012

A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Goin' On

This year, there are 14 Shakeouts scheduled across the United States, and around the world.

One of the newest is for the Southeastern United States, where residents of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia are invited to take part.

Already nearly 200,000 people have signed up. If you live in any of these Shakeout areas, I would urge you to take part.

From the Great SouthEast Shakeout Page:

You are invited to join thousands of people who will Drop, Cover, and Hold On on October 18th at 10:18 a.m.* in the 2012 Great SouthEast ShakeOut!

More than 12.5 million people were registered to participate in ShakeOut drills worldwide in 2011. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to become better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.

Start here to be included in the 2012 ShakeOut!

To hear the 60 second drill, which will be simulcast over radio stations, and played in classrooms and offices on October 18th at 10:18am, click this link: