Do you think Haiti relief was a practice run for the California earthquake?
Feb 23, 2010
in
Earthquake Questions
…. that is eminent.
The ‘big one"
I guess we all think LA , when we think CA earthquake. If that were to be the case, the devestation would be greater than Haiti, just in numbers alone. Let’s hope we are wrong.
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4 comments
The Grappler on February 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm
If it was, the best thing to do is leave California – the relief operation has been characterised by poor supplies, poor co-ordination, and this has left a large number going hungry, which, in turn, will inevitably lead to a breakdown in law and order. When the troops start shooting looters, you will know that time has arrived.
On the bright side, today’s reports say that things are improving, and it’s only been one month.
The best place to be when The Big One hits is, say, Las Vegas, where you can turn around and ask if that loud noise was a jackpot going off.
Bill on February 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm
i don’t know, but experts say the same conditions that hit haiti are there in california. its just a time bomb waiting to explode. the folks that live in califonia are sitting on top of it.
kenbgray on February 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Could be, but if the big one should happen here, I’ll bet the response will be very, very slow just like it was in New Orleans.
Doug B on February 23, 2010 at 6:17 pm
"imminent."
A few things to understand about the Big One. It’s not going to destroy the entire state. Even the really big Earthquakes have a fairly small major damage footprint. Look at the damage from the Northridge quake.. downtown L.A. was hardly touched. Also, unlike Haiti, we’ve been building for the Big One for years. California has strict building codes and we are constantly reinforcing and rebuilding older structures to make them more quake resistant.
finally, Haiti is on an island with one major airport and poor roads. Even if the Big One hits the Bay Area with an 8.3 monster, there would still be endless ways to get aid in. The Hayward Fault (the most likely source for a big temblor in this area) would devastate Oakland and San Francisco, but not do too much damage in the South Bay, so San Jose’s airports would be able to take flights quickly.
Since we know we live in earthquake country, we constantly prepare for the Big One. April 18th (the anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906) is Earthquake Preparedness Day.