Earthquakes occur without warning, there are no visible signs of
an impending tremor. The extensive fault system in California
puts all businesses, residents, and visitors at risk. The danger
can be mitigated with preparation.
Earthquakes in California are inevitable. Are you prepared for
the next large one? The HayWired Scenario was put together by the
USGS to portray a 7.0 earthquake and the fallout of such an
event.
Below are links to background and tools for your use
A large earthquake off the coast of Alaska could send a
devastating tsunami towards California, causing the evacuation of
nearly 1 million people and causing $10 billion in damage, a
recent U.S. Geological Survey revealed.
USGS scientists met with state and local officials on Wednesday
to discuss what might happen if a 9.1 earthquake — similar to
the one that struck Japan in 2011 — occurred offshore of the
Alaskan Peninsula. Researchers called the scenario “hypothetical,
yet plausible,” warning officials to prepare for the worst.
The January 17, 1994 magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake beneath
the San Fernando Valley resulted in the costliest earthquake in
U.S. history. For the 10 million people who experienced this
quake, it remains powerfully in our collective consciousness.
Fast forward twenty years to January 17, 2014 . The Northridge 20
Virtual Exhibit website presents teachable moments – to learn and
reflect, to share and to act. Teeming with content, graphics and
video recounting the events of January 1994, this exhibit seeks
to empower and motivate us to make ourselves safer in future
earthquakes.
The Earthquake Country Alliance unites leaders in government,
disaster response, science, business, media, education and local
communities to foster a culture of earthquake and tsunami
readiness in California. Resources include:
Putting
Down Roots: a 32-page handbook that is available
online, to download, or as printed copies available for free.
Go behind the scenes at UC San Diego as a five story mockup of a
hospital, including a surgical suite, is subjected to dramatic
earthquakes in order to better understand how the many complex
systems within hospital buildings perform after earthquakes.
Teaming up with the California Seismic Safety Commission, this
UCSD-TV documentary explores the history of seismic safety for
California’s hospital infrastructure, and what is being done to
secure its future.UC San Diego’s Englekirk Structural Engineering
Center has provided this video preview of the largest, most
complex seismic test ever conducted.
After a damaging earthquake, having the strength to recover will
rely on those close to us for personal strength in the face of an
overwhelming situation. Many Californians will turn to the
California Earthquake Authority (CEA) to get the financial
strength they’ll need to rebuild.
SCEC’s science goal is to understand the physics of the Southern
California fault system and develop a model of key aspects of
earthquake behavior. To do this, SCEC organizes interdisciplinary
research spanning all aspects of earthquake system science,
disciplinary activities such as data collection and analysis, and
special projects in information technology, earthquake
predictability, and other applied research.
Is your hospital at risk for earthquakes or
tsunami? Earthquakes can occur everywhere in California. In
addition to the shaking caused by earthquakes, landslides,
surface fault ruptures and liquefaction can all occur. These
effects can cause injury or property damage.
The mission of California Geological
Survey (CGS) is to provide scientific products and
services about the state’s geology, seismology and mineral
resources including their related hazards that affect the health,
safety, and business interests of the people of California.
The United States Geological Survey
(USGS) serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific
information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss
of life and property from natural disasters; manage water,
biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and
protect our quality of life.
The Office of Statewide Health
Planning and Development (OSHPD) Facilities Development Division
(FDD) reviews and inspects health facility construction
projects. FDD enforces building standards, per the California
Building Standards Code, as they relate to health facilities
construction.
