Warning Sign   


                                
                                 
                                 
                          
Monday 2/15/2010 Did You Feel That?
Being In a Building When an Earthquake Strikes
Good Day Prepared Reader,  
                                      
At approximately 1:36pm Sunday afternoon a magnitude (M)4.5 earthquake along with subsequent aftershocks struck Baja California, Mexico and could be felt as far north as Oceanside. Although we experience these temblors often it is beneficial to know what to do if we find ourselves inside of a building while at work, enjoying a meal at a restuarant, taking in the latest blockbuster movie at the theatre or cheering on our favorite team in the stadium.
 
Drop, Cover and Hold On 
 
It may be the natural tendency for some to run out of a building during an earthquake however, many have been injured because of being tripped up or struck by falling debris.
Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.
 
1.Drop 2.Cover 3.Hold On.seek shelter under a table (do not try to run to another room just to get under a table), between a row of seats or crouch in an inside corner of the building. The main point is to not try to move but to immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be.
 
A Friendly Reminder to our Family and Friends
From time to time, it may be necessary to remind our family and friends (neighbors as well) of these important steps so that they will know what to do when a seismic event occurs.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this, please look below for answers to questions, a clarification of mistaken beliefs and where you can order free literature (available in Spanish also at terremotos.org). 
 
P.S. Drop, Cover and Hold On is applicable in any building you may find yourself in.
"Head For The Doorway!"
Is it Safer Standing in a Doorway During an Earthquake?
Standing In a Doorway is not Safer

An enduring earthquake image of California is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. True- if you live in an old, unreinforced adobe house. In modern houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house. You are safer under a table.

 
"Beachfront Property In Arizona"
Buying Waterfront Property in Arizona?
Would you like to buy beachfront property in Arizona?

 

The idea of California falling into the ocean has had an enduring appeal.

The motion of plates will not make California sink- western California is actually moving horizontally along the San Andreas fault and up around the Transverse ranges. As a result of this horizontal movement, Los Angeles City Hall is now 2.7 meters (9 feet) closer to San Francisco than when it was built in 1924. 
 
The rate of plate movement along the San Andreas fault, 33 millimeters (1.3 inches) each year, is about how fast your fingernails grow.  
"We Have Good Building Codes So We Must Have Good Buildings"
The Building Code and You
California Building Codes
 
The best building codes in the world do nothing for buildings built before a code was enacted. While the codes have been updated, the older buildings are still in place. Fixing problems in older buildings -- retrofitting -- is the responsibility of the building's owner
 
The Triangle of Life
Is the Triangle of Life an Alternative to Drop, Cover and Hold? No
Caution: Triangle of Life
 
In recent years, an e-mail has been circulating which describes an alternative to the long-established "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" advice. The so-called "triangle of life" and some of the other actions recommended in the email are potentially life threatening, and the credibility of the source of these recommendations has been questioned. 
 
Additional Earthquake Resources and Real-Time Seismic Information
 
  All of the literature listed can be downloaded or ordered for free.
 
BrochureThe information above was taken from, "Putting Down Roots in Earthquake country". This popular 32-page earthquake science and preparedness handbook was first published in 1995 by the Southern California Earthquake Center. SCEC and the Earthquake Country Alliance now update the handbook yearly, and it is now available in both English and Spanish. The San Francisco Bay Region version was developed in 2005 by the USGS and a large group of other organizations.
 
 
 
What in the World is going on?
Google Earth makes it possible for you to view real-time seismic activity each placemark contains data about a specific area's seismic activity and a link to more extensive info.
Did You Feel That?
Report an earthquake and add to the statistical data that the USGS collects on a specific seismic event.
 
Stay informed
Receive Text message alerts on your cell phone (iphone,PDA,etc) of seismic events in Southern California and around the world.
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  For More Information please contact me:
  Tod Aubin
  Call or Text 619-518-8980
  Web Page: http://prepare4.org