(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

NOTICE: I wrote this all myself, other sources were used as a reference, and any direct quotes will be given credit, however this was composed and written primarily by myself, and therefore represents my thoughts.


Question: Are we, in the United States of America, in the line for the next major earthquake?

Personally, living in the West Coast (I live in Seattle), I find this a very interesting and important question. We've seen the devastation earthquakes bring, and I feel that we should know what to expect, and to be prepared. This is for all those living in America, especially those along the western coast (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and even parts of Canada and Mexico).

Evidence for A "Big One":
- Many years over due for a major earthquake
- Earthquakes around the "Ring of Fire" are occurring in increasing intensity
- Active fault lines and major plate movement results in shifting earth

Yes its true, we are many years overdue for the next major earthquake. Generally the Northwest area (WA) experiences major earthquakes every 750 years or so, we're around 300 years overdue, and experts predict a major earthquake to go down doubtlessly within 50 years, probably sooner. California, while having more constant earthquakes, is very much at risk, it too is overdue for a major earthquake. The odds of a big one go up each passing year, its important to be prepared.

Earthquakes around the "Ring of Fire" are occurring. This ring basically runs around the Pacific Ocean, from South America, North America, Asia, all over. These are known for massive earthquakes and big volcanoes. The most pressing problem of the two: earthquakes. As of the past few years, and this year, major earthquakes have occurred, the only place yet to be hit? The United States.

Active fault lines run up and down the Western Seaboard. From the northern Juan de Fuca fault line, to the southern San Andreas Fault. There is recorded seismic activity on these faults, and all across the Western Seaboard, therefore we must be prepared, and on high alert.

Preparing for Earthquakes

What do I do to prepare for the impending earthquake?
Sadly, there's not a lot we can do. We can live and work in reinforced buildings, we can just plain move away, or we can just hope and pray. What you'll want to do is make a plan, and build earthquake preparedness kits.

Earthquake Preparedness Kits?
You generally want 1 larger one, and one smaller one. The smaller one should be stored in a place where it can easily be accessed and reached, it needs to be kept in active living areas, so that it can be grabbed in less than a moments notice, should an earthquake strike. The larger may also need to be accessed easily, yet may be to large to store close at hand.

Small Kit
The best container for a small kit is a backpack or extremely small duffel bag. These can easily be picked up and carried, and are not to bulky. You want all the essentials. At least 2 bottles of water per person you need to service (if you are living in your house with your spouse and one child, you want 6 bottles of water). A small first aid kit. At least 1 whistle per person. A few small, preservable snacks, such as granola bars. At least 1 flash light with a minimum of 1-2 spare battery packs. Any information or packets you may need to guide you in a time of extreme stress. Also consider including a battery powered radio.

Large Kit
The large kit needs to contain much more. A large supply of purified water. A water purifier. Provisions (snacks, preservable and easy to open and consume). A large first aid kit, feature many medical supplies, medicines, bandages, splints, anything you might medically need. Flash lights, quite a few, preferably. Spare batteries, and lots! A few whistles. Any information or packets you may need to guide you in a time of extreme stress. A battery-powered radio or television, a satellite phone may also want to be considered.

What do I need to plan?
You should have an external contact. Someone who knows your phone number, living far away from you (but you can trust) and will call you immediately after an earthquake, to ensure your safety or send aid your way. You need to plan a meeting spot with your family, places you can go after an earthquake (and after waiting for aftershocks). Rations, depending on your location you could be trapped for some time, therefore rationing food and drink as well as medical supply may be necessary.

Where do I go in the event of an earthquake?
Some old houses had highly reinforced door ways (door jams) however, in virtually every modern building this is not the case. These door jams are actually the most dangerous place to be. Some may advise you to hide under a table or piece of furniture, again, a mistake. The best place? Next to a heavy, sturdy piece of solid furniture (such as a strong sofa or bed/bed stand), that can withstand powerful blows to the top of it. Also, you want to be as far as possible from any glass windows or glass objects. You may want to attempt to grab your small kit however, do not take any unnecessary risks.

What else should I do?
Aside from considering to grab your small kit, you may want to try to ensure your family is safe and in a good "triangle of life" (when a building collapses, there are these triangles between solid pieces of furniture and the roof where humans and animals could lie down and be safe). Also you may want to open any doors or windows if possible. This makes for an easy escape of a collapsed building. Also, be ware of aftershocks, these can sometimes be worse than the initial earthquake.

What should I do after an earthquake and what should I do if I'm trapped?
Directly after the initial shock, be careful. Major aftershocks may occur, sometimes more devastating than the first. Wait for emergency crews and help to arrive. If possible locate either your small and/or large kit along with any family members, but be very careful and safe. Debris can be as dangerous as the earthquake itself, if you feel you're not up to it, just stay put and wait for help, it is coming.

If you are trapped you are in a much more dire situation, there's no kidding that. The key is to stay absolutely calm. If you have one of your kits with you, open that up to see if you have anything in there that can help you. Do not try to dig yourself out if trapped under much debris (this can cause it to collapse on you), however if you are near the top you may want to try to pull yourself out. If you feel rescue crew are nearby, or someone is coming to your aid, bang as loud as possible on pipes and debris, try to not breathe hard. Breathing can cause you to inhale deadly dust particles from the collapse, also, if completely trapped, uses up your air supply quickly and causes you to heat up, breathing hard is the main issue, usually caused by yelling. Try to avoid yelling. Bang on pipes or use a whistle from your kit, be sure to try your phone if you have one.



Common Misconceptions (common beliefs that are very wrong, these are the Do-Nots):
- When trapped, yell for help [Best Solution:use an emergency whistle or bang on pipes and debris for attention]
- Hide under tables or in door jams [Best Solution: hide next to a large piece of sturdy furniture that will form a "triangle of life"
- There have been so many earthquakes, there's no chance of another [Best Solution: Actually, earthquakes are more likely to occur now]
- I live in an earthquake-proof building [Best Solution: You don't live in an earthquake-proof building, quakes of major magnitudes will bring it down, so be prepared]
- I have no plan or kit, and I'm okay [Best Solution: For now you are, but when the quake strikes your screwed, make a plan and prepare a kit(s)]
- I live far away from the fault lines and western seaboard [Best Solution: You're less earthquake prone, but certainly not completely safe, regardless, you could be a useful external contact for those in the western seaboard region]

Sources (also see for more info):

USGS You must login or register to view this content.
FEMA You must login or register to view this content.

Maybe You Will Never No, But The Whole World Is At Risk

This has been the case for many years. People are emphasizing it due to the Japan disasters.

Yes California is due for "the big one". We will never know when it will hit so just live life and don't worry. Only the west coast should be afraid. Everyone living along the pacific rim is in danger. West coast of the US, Australia, Russia, Japan, China, etc can all be effected by major quakes. Look at Japan. How did Japan form? A volcano and a series of major quakes. How were all the mountains formed in the west coast? We are next and for some reason the pacific plate is moving a lot. New Zealand last month now Japan? It is weird but all this talk about "apocalypse the bible says so" it is bull. The pacific rim has practically all the major quakes. The pacific is the only ocean with this activity and all these islands and volcanos. California is due for a major quake.

Yeah and that's the frog mentality.
If you put a frog in a pot of room-temperature water and slowly start to heat it to a boil it will sit there and sit there until it dies, but if you drop the frog into a pot of boiling water it immediately jumps out (thank you Inconvenient Truth). We have been sitting around for such a long time, well now the precipice is upon us, and we must prepare for the worst.

Its clear through geological evidence that the earthquakes in America will not only occur, but will be the worst of all so far. I just wanted to alert people to this, and help them prepare, using Japan as the example so maybe when the quake strikes here, we're ready.

wow getting me mad how just because theres in earthquake in japan everyone gets all scared.

Of course something will happen to the US.
The US and Japan are both on the edge of the tectonic plates that caused the Japanese earthquakes.

If something moves at one end, another thing has to give at the other.

Not everyone on the forum is from the us mate.
but i dont think that the us will be hit.

Yes ,It hit Hawaii

I think there will be another disaster soon.

If you're familiar with this kind of stuff, or pay attention in school you'll notice it. All the things he's said fits together. And it's NOT just because of the japan disaster that people start thinking USA is next, the japan disaster has opened our eyes to realize we are next.

Haven't you ever watched 2012? MOVE TO WISCONSIN! :black:

All we have is snow and the occasional tornado!

No earthquakes, no hurricanes (unless they come off lake michigan ) no volcano's..