anuary 17, 1994 the Northridge 6.7 magnitude earthquake strikes at 4:30:55 AM. resulted in 57 deaths, 1500 injured and 13,000 homeless.
January 17, 1995 Kobe, Japan 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes at 5.46 A.M. resulted in 5,470 Deaths, 26,797 injured and 300,000 homeless.
January 9, 2007 is the 150th anniversary of the last great San Andreas earthquake in Southern California, a magnitude 7.9 event that shook the entire region. The earthquake ruptured more than 225 miles of the fault from Parkfield (Central California) to the Cajon Pass. A repeat of this earthquake today may cause more than $150 billion in economic losses.
Recent developments in earthquake geology confirm the average time between great earthquakes on the southern San Andreas fault is about 150 years. However, the southernmost segment of the fault, from the Salton Sea through the Coachella Valley to San Bernardino, has not ruptured in more than 300 years. Scientists agree that a very large earthquake along this segment of the fault is inevitable. This earthquake will likely be a catastrophic disaster for much of Southern California.
Hurricane Katrina showed the results of failing to be ready for an anticipated regional catastrophe and what can happen when a mega disaster pushes society to the breaking point.
But earthquake experts used its 150th anniversary to remind Southern California residents that the next really big earthquake could occur at any time, and people can take steps now to prepare.
Scientists joined Los Angeles area public officials to kick off the "Dare to Prepare" campaign during a two-day workshop at the University of Southern California about the threat posed by the southern segment of the San Andreas Fault.
The 1857 earthquake ruptured 225 miles of fault from Parkfield to Cajon Pass. A repeat of that event along the southern section of the San Andreas fault near the Salton Sea, where the fault is most likely to rupture next, would send shock waves across Southern California unlike any experienced during "big ones" in recent years.
"The shaking is going to last for a very long time," said Lucy Jones, seismologist for the U.S. Geological Survey and member of the California Seismic Safety Commission. "You are going to have a very different experience."
The chances of such a quake occurring in the next 30 years are between 30 percent and 70 percent, said Thomas Jordan, director of the Southern California Earthquake Center and professor of earth sciences at USC.
Such an earthquake would be the equivalent of about 20 Northridge quakes lying end to end, shaking the Southern California region for two to four minutes. The 6.7 Northridge earthquake that struck Jan. 17, 1994, did widespread damage and killed 51 people.
Injuries would number in the thousands and the economic damages could top $150 billion, said Patricia Grossi, a senior researcher for Risk Management Solutions Inc., who studied the likely losses of a quake similar to the one in 1857.
A repeat of the 1857 quake today would likely be catastrophic. Southern California's version of a Hurricane Katrina event, said Ellis Stanley, general manager for the city of Los Angeles' emergency preparedness department.
Emergency Disaster Preparedness is essential for all of us. The next hurricane, earthquake, winter storm or terrorist attack could mean surviving on your own for days or even weeks. Being without water, power or gas could be the meaning of life or death for some people. The time to prepare is now, before such an event occurs.
At www.survivalkitsonline.com we are in the business of planning ahead. We want to help you take care of your selves and your loved ones. Our kits are designed using advice from experts in the emergency preparedness industry. We have followed guidelines given by government agencies and non-profit preparedness organizations.