West Coast of USA

[Outdoorsman]

I think this is one for you, Clanad.
What is the situation in the earthquake zone at the moment? Didn't the last big one happen about 100 years ago - in San Francisco?
I'm concerned for the people living in those high risk places. We don't get big earthquakes here in Great Britain - just the odd little shake now and then.
Thanks.
Odm...

[Catso]

There was an article in the Times (I think) over the weekend about the San Andreas. Apparently scientists believe southern California should prepare for a 'biggie' (8+) soon (next 50 years). They have data showing a history of quakes every 200-300 years and the last was 250 years ago. There was something like 20-odd feet of fault slippage waiting to be released - frightening!
Isn't it funny how people will willingly live there even when they know the risks. Over here, we think 'never live there, too dangerous'. But people do.

[Clanad]

Of all natural hazards facing the United States, earthquakes have the greatest potential for
inflicting casualties, damage, and economic loss. Although damaging earthquakes are
infrequent, their consequences can be immense.
A magnitude 7 to 7.5 earthquake, an earthquake of extreme magnitude that could happen in the Los Angeles basin, occurs every 500-1000 years, according to Dr. Lucile M. Jones, Southern California branch of the U.S. Department of Geological Survey. Smaller earthquakes on these faults such as the 6.7magnitude 1994 Northridge (San Francisco) earthquake will happen an average of more than twice per century.
A highly technical document compiled by leading geologists entitled Working Groups on California Earthquake Probabilities (WGCEP) states, in part:: ��30-year probability estimates �depend critically on the degree to which the SFBR (San Francisco Bay Region) has emerged from the seismic quiescence that followed the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake.� They conclude that damaging, but less severe earthquakes, such as the Northridge quake have somewhat mitigated the probability of �the big one�. The Regional probability of at least one Magnitude 6.7 event between 2002-2031 is > 0.70. Hayward-Rodgers Creek and SAF (San Andreas Fault) have highest probabilities for Magnitude6.7 events before 2032. Analysis of their data concludes the probable occurrence of a Magnitude 7.0 to 7.5 quake along segments of the San Andreas within 35 to 70 years.
Human kind, however, is inflicted with that mysterious infectious disease known as NIMBY. Along with that is the belief that everyone but me will die at some time� I call it selective immortality�

[noxlumos]

My wife was in LA working on a film when the last midi sized one hit which measured 6.6, about 1993 or 94 I think.Scared the ***** out of her but she goes back there from time to time to work so obviously didn't frighten her enough!

[Thunderbird+]

I have spent some time in southern California, where the odd rumble is common place and the locals just take it in their stride. on one occaision I was almost shook out of bed in the early hours and I fully expected it to be the topic of conversation the following day, but not even a mention.

[drgnrdr]

Living here myself, the small ones are always welcomed. It means the pressure is released, instead of building up. They expect a large one, they always are. You live with it, just like those in Tornado Alley, and the coastal cities for Hurricanes, which seem to be getting more and more frequent. I am not sure you can get away from Mother Nature, it's ALWAYS something with her.

[nickmo]

2.5 mag one today off Northern California - time to start packing . . !

USGS site here has current info for lovers of 'quakes: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsw w/Quakes/quakes_all.php