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The Big One in California is expected to have Richter magnitude below 8.0, much like the 1906 one. While that might not be much consolation, building has improv

The Big One in California is expected to have Richter magnitude below 8.0, much like the 1906 one. While that might not be much consolation, building has improved significantly and we can do a lot to prevent damage. That said, after having been in the market for a house on the east bay, I'm afraid to say that there's still a huge number of old houses with brick foundations, despite incentives to reinforce and retrofit. My biggest fear is not the shake itself, but damage to power and gas lines shortly after.

JPKab 10y ago
You make a good point. California is prepared. Seattle, however, is another story. On a geologic time scale, the Pacific Northwest is long overdue for a massive earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.
- Analemma_ 10y ago
  And that epicenter looks like it was on the Juan de Fuca plate boundary. I see some Bay Area folks in here concerned that this was a foreshock, but I think those of us in the PNW are the ones who should really be concerned.
- pmoriarty 10y ago
  Portland is also apparently going to be majorly screwed in case of a big earthquake.[1] I considered moving there until I read about this. [1] - http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-...
mysticlabs 10y ago
Most people don't realize earthquakes themselves are not very likely to kill you, it's the gas leaks and fires that usually follow that cause the most loss of life and property damage. In 1906 nearly 80% of San Francisco burned down after the quake. Most of the rubble was then pushed into the bay to create the very landfill that a lot of buildings are built on top of now.
- coldtea 10y ago
  >Most people don't realize earthquakes themselves are not very likely to kill you, it's the gas leaks and fires that usually follow that cause the most loss of life and property damage. Citation needed. Because in most earthquakes I've known about it was the tumbling down of buildings that trapped and killed people.
  - tenken 10y ago
    Like many things depends on where you live. China you say, In a brick /mud farmhouse? Goodluck not being crushed. Some place like the USA with good building codes, it's other stuff that kills you.
- jlgaddis 10y ago
  > Most people don't realize earthquakes themselves are not very likely to kill you, it's the gas leaks and fires that usually follow that cause the most loss of life and property damage. That's probably little consolation to the people who have died as a result of an earthquake. It's kinda like saying "it's not the 20-story fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop at the end".

JPKab 10y ago

You make a good point. California is prepared. Seattle, however, is another story. On a geologic time scale, the Pacific Northwest is long overdue for a massive earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.

Analemma_ 10y ago
And that epicenter looks like it was on the Juan de Fuca plate boundary. I see some Bay Area folks in here concerned that this was a foreshock, but I think those of us in the PNW are the ones who should really be concerned.
pmoriarty 10y ago
Portland is also apparently going to be majorly screwed in case of a big earthquake.[1] I considered moving there until I read about this. [1] - http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-...

mysticlabs 10y ago

Most people don't realize earthquakes themselves are not very likely to kill you, it's the gas leaks and fires that usually follow that cause the most loss of life and property damage. In 1906 nearly 80% of San Francisco burned down after the quake. Most of the rubble was then pushed into the bay to create the very landfill that a lot of buildings are built on top of now.

coldtea 10y ago
>Most people don't realize earthquakes themselves are not very likely to kill you, it's the gas leaks and fires that usually follow that cause the most loss of life and property damage. Citation needed. Because in most earthquakes I've known about it was the tumbling down of buildings that trapped and killed people.
- tenken 10y ago
  Like many things depends on where you live. China you say, In a brick /mud farmhouse? Goodluck not being crushed. Some place like the USA with good building codes, it's other stuff that kills you.
jlgaddis 10y ago
> Most people don't realize earthquakes themselves are not very likely to kill you, it's the gas leaks and fires that usually follow that cause the most loss of life and property damage. That's probably little consolation to the people who have died as a result of an earthquake. It's kinda like saying "it's not the 20-story fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop at the end".