Photo credit: The U.S Geological Survey and the Southern California Earthquake Center
By Alexander Strada
Western Sun associate editor
On Oct. 20, at 10:20 a.m., Golden West College students will join over eight million Californians in the largest earthquake drill in world history, appropriately named “The Great California ShakeOut.”
In 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey released a report estimating the likelihood of one or multiple magnitude 6.7 or larger California quakes over the next 30 years at greater than 99 percent, with the chance of at least one even more powerful quake of magnitude 7.5 or greater over the same period at 46 percent.
These quakes would be most likely to hit the southern half of the state.
The last similar quake, the magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake in 1994, killed 60, injured over 7,000, left tens of thousands homeless and damaged nearly 50,000 southern California buildings. Felt as far as Las Vegas, Nevada, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates placed costs between $13 and $20 billion.
The first ShakeOut took place on November 13, 2008, and was the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history at the time, spanning eight counties and totaling 5.4 million participants.
The next year, 2009, included 6.9 million participants from across the state, while last year’s ShakeOut reached 7.9 million participants.
Six tips to preparing and protecting yourself and family in the case of an earthquake:
Secure all large electronics, furniture, and appliances from slipping and sliding.
Plan an evacuation plan for the entire household enclosed with next-of-kin contacts and the location of emergency supplies.
Create backpack disaster kits for each family member consisting of non-perishable food, bottled water, a flashlight, fresh batteries, a whistle, and an extra set of clothing. For the entire family’s disaster kit, be sure to include cash, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, a portable radio, and a generator.
Homeowners and renters need to identify problems within their buildings and begin fixing them now. Also, acquire both home insurance that covers the most consistent natural disaster in your residential area and renter’s insurance that will help replace material items.
When the shaking begins: be sure to duck, cover, and protect your head. Stand underneath a stable desk – not glass – or go outside.
-Compiled by Ashley B. Charles
