Earthquake Safety Resources
According to long-term records (since about 1900), scientists expect about 16 major earthquakes in any given year. That includes 15 earthquakes in the magnitude 7 range and one earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater. In the past 40-50 years, records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes about a dozen times.
SUPERSHEAR?
Most Californians are familiar with earthquakes. But researchers say the state faces an overlooked threat: “supershear” earthquakes that move so fast they outrun their own seismic waves. Worldwide, about one-third of large strike-slip earthquakes are supershear. That matters in California, where many faults near large metropolitan areas are strike-slip and capable of magnitude 7 or higher temblors. A recent opinion paper, written by Yehuda Ben-Zion, professor of Earth sciences and director of the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC), based at USC Dornsife, warns that these quakes produce more violent shaking over larger areas than typical earthquakes,
“We cannot say exactly when and where the next earthquake will be and which one will be supershear,” Ben-Zion said, “but we can say with certainty that over the next few decades, we will have multiple magnitude 7 earthquakes in California.
“They are coming, whether we are prepared or not,” he added.
PREPARE
Earthquake shaking can move most everything, even large and heavy items thought to be immovable. Imagine your home or workplace being picked up and shaken sideways – what would be thrown around and cause injury or damage? How can you prevent it?
Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA)
The ECA has partnerships with ReadyAmerica (store) and Safe-T-Proof (store). Both are providers of home disaster supplies and non-structural earthquake hazard mitigation products. ECA also has extensive online resources for consumers about securing household appliances and furnishings. You can find links to helpful earthquake hazard mitigation fact sheets on this downloadable PDF.
Listos California
Anchored at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) since 2019, Listos California has succeeded in reaching millions of Californians with access to lifesaving emergency preparedness information. Earthquake information is only one topic of the many that Listos provides free and in many languages. Visit the amazing Listos library of very helpful and accessible information.
For Californians, earthquakes are not a matter of if but when. Whether individuals reside, go to school, or work in an area prone to earthquakes, it is essential to have an emergency plan to help reduce the risks of injuries and recover quickly following an earthquake.The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Earthquake, Tsunami and Volcano Program is continuously researching, learning, and developing new ways to improve the safety of California’s residents and visitors before disaster strikes. Earthquake warnings are a game changer – The Earthquake Early Warning system uses science, state-of-the-art ground motion monitoring, as well as new and existing alerting methods to deliver warnings to people via cell phones before the strongest shaking arrives.
GET ALERTS
MyShake
Earthquake Early Warning now available publicly in California, Oregon, and Washington. Alerts provided in partnership with USGS ShakeAlert® and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Seconds count. Get an alert!
STAY INFORMED