I'm really scared of that HUGE earthquake that is supposedly supposed to happen in CA SOON.When will it happen

Question

And what areas are going to be most affected. My boyfriend wants to move to downtown LA and he lives in Glendale right now. I saw on the news the other night there are going to b elike 1,500 deaths etc. I keep having nightmares about it. I live in South oRange county, so i don't think that'll be too hard hit, but I am REALLy worried about L.a. and all my friends up in that area. Anything we can do preventive measures and/or do we know when it's going to hit/? How bad will it be, ...like, really?

Answer 1

First of all, I am not a scientist but I lived in the LA area for 25 years and grew up with earthquakes. I now live in the "Central Coast" area of California and I have also lived in Idaho and Alaska. All places with a strong history of earthquakes (Good Friday quake of 1964 in Alaska and the Challis earthquake in the 90's in Idaho.) So I do know a lot about earthquakes just by being curious and living with them.

Please know that if an earthquake hits downtown LA (the epicenter) for instance, the worst damage from it could easily happen in South Orange County or Glendale. The Northridge Earthquake of the 90's produced horrible damage in the town of Filmore which, I think, is about 50 miles away by how the bird flies. Also, the San Simeon quake that happened a few years back actually caused the most severe damage in Paso Robles which, again, is about 50 miles or so  the way the bird flies from San Simeon. Look these towns up on a map.

Think of some types of earthquakes as like a whip. When you crack a whip the energy leaves your arm, flows through the whip and the most energy comes out at the end of the whip. Some earthquakes are like this. Others do produce the most damage closest to the epicenter. The towns I mentioned

( Filmore and Paso Robles) were like at the end of the whip. So please realize that moving from Glendale to downtown LA is NOTHING distance wise as far as earthquakes are concerned. Also, South Orange County could actually get just as much damage or even more from an earthquake centered in downtown LA because of the whip effect that I mentioned earlier. I think the geologists call it something different like the ripple effect or something.

Just accept the fact that you live in earthquake country. Prepare like the previous person mentioned with supplies, a plan for contacting and meeting loved ones after one since communication and travel routes could be affected, but, most of all, chill out. Many more people get killed in auto accidents in California in a month than get killed in earthquakes in 10, 20 even 30 years. Plus, there is nothing you can do to stop them so when one hits, do like I did when I was with my kids during the San Simeon quake, and marvel at the ground moving, say it feels like being on a boat (that one did) and laugh about it. It only lasts less than one minute usually.

One more thing, I heard about the "pocket of safety" if a roof should cave in. DO NOT get under a table or under anything. Rather get BETWEEN furniture because if a big object, like a ceiling falls on the furniture, the furniture will be crushed but the area between the furniture will form a pocket-a safe zone. Also don't go in a doorway because the door will swing and hit you and also stay away from anything that can fall on you like a knick knacks on a shelf, a tall piece of furniture, etc. Also, anchor all bookcases and tall pieces of furniture to the wall so they do not fall over in a quake.

What you do is s***w a hook into the back of it and then s***w the part with the "eye" to the wall (into a stud or beam NOT the drywall) and then have the hook go into the eye. Ask at the hardware store or hire a handyman. It is well worth the effort and cost.

Wall mirrors are particularly dangerous. In the Sylmar quake of 1971, the big mirror in the master bath fell and shattered and the glass pieces made it to my mom's bed which was about 10 feet away!

I am so sorry you are so terrifed but be thankful that you do not live in Tornado country. I'll take an earthquake every 10 or 20 years rather than tornadoes every year!

Answer 2

1,500 deaths is alot. But did you know- The record of any earthquake is over 800,000 people dead in China.

So i wouldnt be that worried. if it does happen here is what you can prepare to do:

Before an earthquake.

Have a battery powered radio, flash light, and first aid kids in your house ,

Make sure every one knows where they are kept ,

Lean first aid; teach how to stop electric main and gas supply ,

Don’t keep heavy objects in high shelves ,

Fasten heavy appliances to the floor, and anchor heavy furniture to the walls ,

Plan for your family for reuniting after an earthquake if anybody separated ,

Urge your school teachers to discuss earthquake safety in the class rooms, and ask them to conduct drills ,

Find out your office has an emergency plan, know your responsibility at your works during an emergency .

During an earthquake.

Stay calm if you are indoors, stay out if you are out of buildings. Many injuries occur as people enter or leave the buildings.

If you are indoors , stand against the a wall near the center of the building, or get under a sturdy table keep some cushion on your head, Stay away from windows and outside doors, if you are in a high rise building stand against a support column.

If you are in outdoor stay in the open place , keep away from over head electric wires. and bridges,

Don’t use open flames, if you are in a moving vehicle stop away from over bridges and stay inside the vehicle still earthquake stops.

After an earthquake.

Check yourself and nearby people for injury, provide first aid,

Check electric and gas connection,

Turn on your radio or T.V for emergency instructions, reduce the use of phone lines it may be required for conveying some important messages.

Stay out of damaged buildings,

Wear chapels and gloves to protect against shattered glass and debris.

Stay away from beaches and water front areas where Tsunami could strike, even long after the shaking has stopped.