2,000 Dead, 50,000 Injured,
$200 Billion in Damage
and Counting . . .

By Patricia El Sharei

That’s the projected outcome that served as the real-life earthquake scenario for the Great Southern California ShakeOut Drill held on November 13, 2008 — advertised as the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history.

The ShakeOut Scenario
The ShakeOut Scenario focused on a simulated, catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake originating at Bombay Beach, northeast of the Salton Sea, southeast of the Coachella Valley, and shooting northwest along the fault at 2 miles per second, sending seismic energy waves out in all directions.

View the new Preparedness Now video that depicts the realistic outcome of a hypothetical, but plausible, magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the San Andreas Fault in southern California.

The San Andreas Fault
Scientists note that unlike any other faults, the southern San Andreas Fault produces no small earthquakes. Furthermore, studies show that the San Andreas Fault ruptures, on average, every 150 years. Since the last event was more than 300 years ago, a strong seismic event is well overdue. In a new study, scientists have determined that the southern-most section of the San Andreas Fault is the most likely source of a large earthquake within the next 30 years and will break any/all roads, railroad tracks, and gas/water/sewer pipes that cross it. There will be widespread damage to infrastructure, thus creating economic and social havoc throughout the Coachella Valley and California for years to come.

Some Chilling Scenario Outcomes
Here are just a few of the chilling scenario outcomes projected for the Coachella Valley:

• Instantly the ground on the two sides of the San Andreas Fault is offset nearly 44 feet — changing the geographic boundary between Imperial and Riverside Counties.
• Strong shaking in the Coachella Valley for 1 to 2 minutes causes widespread damage to infrastructures including gas/water/sewer pipes, and power lines. Fires break out throughout the region.
• Across the valley and eventually throughout southern California the power is out. • Phone systems, including cellular and 911, are unusable — overwhelmed by the vast number of attempted calls.
• Because of improved building codes, fairly new houses in the Coachella Valley suffer only minor exterior damage, yet every item inside (if not secured) falls to the floor — shattering TVs and other home electronics and creating treacherous carpets of glass.
• Many mobile homes collapse off supports, snapping water, gas, and sewer lines. Those mobile homes installed snugly in shallow pits or braced for earthquakes are still intact.
• Many older buildings suffer structural damage and many older concrete buildings quickly collapse, trapping occupants.
• The rupture front continues its advance to the San Gorgonio Pass and dismantles the ten miles of Interstate 10 freeway that straddles the San Andreas Fault. Eastern Riverside County is now cut off from the western part.
• Millions of people discover they are cut off from their families, with no way to learn the fate of their loved ones or homes.
• Emergency operations centers are activated and police, fire, and medical personnel shift into their emergency response mode.
• Thousands of aftershocks will follow the initial shaking — some strong enough to cause even more damage and devastation.

Citizens Can Write Their Own Outcomes to the Scenario
It hardly seems that there could be any good news from the scenario presented, however, scientists stress that southern Californians are ultimately responsible for the outcomes of this chilling scenario.

Scientists warn that a major earthquake in southern California is inevitable and will be a regional disaster. They project that tens of thousands of people will be injured, hundreds of thousands of buildings will be damaged, and millions of lives and businesses will be disrupted, but the future of the Coachella Valley and southern California will depend on its citizens and their commitment (or lack thereof) to get prepared.

Citizens must begin planning and implementing life-saving efforts today that will help to increase chances for survival following any major disaster in the future.

Here are some Web sites that can help:

http://www.shakeout.org/

http://www.shakeout.org/scenario/

http://www.ready.gov/

http://www.redcross.org/

http://www.earthquakecountry.info/

Special note:
Throughout this site links are indicated with colored text. simply click and be taken to the next destination.

For
up-to-date
information
and magnitudes
of earthquakes
right after they occur,
(click here)

click here to
register and view the
3n Webinar
on
"The Science of
the Big One"
featuring
Dr. Lucy Jones
Chief Scientist
for the USGS

(works with Windows 2000 or higher)

Are you and your
family prepared for
the big earthquake?

Get Prepared,
Get Licensed,
and
Become an Amateur
Radio Operator(more info)

See the article:
Amateur Radio When All Else Fails
by: Hugh Paul
W6POK