Posted on 06/02/2015 3:27:40 PM PDT by JimSEA
Fact or Fiction?
broken earth cartoon FACT: Earthquakes are sudden rolling or shaking events caused by movement under the Earth’s surface.
An earthquake is the ground shaking caused by a sudden slip on a fault. Stresses in the earth's outer layer push the sides of the fault together. Stress builds up and the rocks slip suddenly, releasing energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel during an earthquake.
Faults are caused by the tectonic plates grinding and scraping against each other as they continuously and slowly move. In California, for example, there are two plates - the Pacific Plate (which extends from western California to Japan, including much of the Pacific Ocean floor) and the North American Plate (which is most of the North American continent and parts of the Atlantic Ocean). The Pacific Plate moves northwestward past the North American Plate along the San Andreas Fault at a rate of about two inches per year.
Parts of the San Andreas Fault system adapt to this movement by constant "creep" resulting in many tiny shocks and a few moderate earth tremors. In other parts, strain can build up for hundreds of years, producing great earthquakes when it finally releases. Large and small earthquakes can also occur on faults not previously recognized; recent earthquakes in Alabama and Virginia are good examples.
(Excerpt) Read more at earthquake.usgs.gov ...
Having lived through the Northridge quake, I can share this perspective.
All our perceptions of life are based on underlying assumptions on how the universe works. A basic human assumption is that terra firma is firma.
When the round shakes like you are inside a giant jackhammer (the SOUND was unbelievable) all of a sudden you are disassociated with all reality. Nothing makes any sense and you feel like the smallest most insignificant thing in the world. The terror is visceral and atavistic. You become a savage cowering from the lightening - civilization means nothing for those few moments that last forever.
I recommend everyone avoid earthquakes.
Since this is a fairly long piece, here are the “fact,” “fiction,” and similar headings, in case anyone wants a quick look at what’s in the entire piece:
FACT: Earthquakes are sudden rolling or shaking events caused by movement under the Earth’s surface.
FICTION: “Mega Quakes” can really happen.
FICTION: Earthquakes only occur on the West Coast in the United States.
FICTION: The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was the deadliest ever.
PARTIALLY FACT: California has the most earthquakes in the United States.
FACT: Earthquakes can occur near the surface or deep below the surface.
FICTION: The ground can open up during an earthquake.
FICTION: California will eventually fall into the ocean.
FICTION: An earthquake on the San Andreas fault can cause a large tsunami.
PARTIALLY FACT: An “Aftershock” can be greater than the initial earthquake.
NOT LIKELY: Two major earthquakes occurred on the same day, so they must be related.
PARTIALLY FACT: People can cause earthquakes.
FICTION: People can stop earthquakes.
FICTION: Nuclear explosions can start or stop earthquakes.
FICTION: You can prevent large earthquakes by making lots of small ones, or by “lubricating” the fault with water.
FICTION: We can predict earthquakes.
FICTION: Animals can predict earthquakes.
MAYBE: Some people can sense that an earthquake is about to happen.
FICTION: It’s been raining a lot, or very hot—it must be earthquake weather!
NOT LIKELY: The Golden Gate Bridge, Seattle Space Needle and other buildings will all eventually fall during an earthquake.
FACT: Earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings and their contents do.
FICTION: During an earthquake you should head for the doorway.
FICTION: Everyone will panic during the Big One.
FICTION: You can’t plan ahead for an earthquake.
FACT: The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to better forecast the effects of potentially damaging earthquakes throughout the United States and mitigate their effects.
bttt
(and add that the shaking comes completely without warning — which adds to its disorienting effect.)
No kidding, I was in the even bigger one as a kid and remember we all got to a bedroom door jam and were watching my dad bounce into the air off the mattress as he slept.
I don’t like earthquakes or the California Senate.
Laugh all you want, but a hair helmet can save your life when the debris is falling.
>>I was in the even bigger one as a kid and remember we all got to a bedroom door jam and were watching my dad bounce into the air off the mattress as he slept.
I don’t like earthquakes or the California Senate.<<
‘71 Newhall?
That is the only one I know in recent memory that matches the Northridge quake.
I remember that one but I was in SGV so it wasn’t felt that strongly.
She was gorgeous. I wonder what she looks like today, assuming she’s still around.
>>FICTION: During an earthquake you should head for the doorway.<<
That one can NOT be repeated too often. A doorway just means you will get slapped by a door. You need to be under something very strong in case the ceiling or drywall comes down on you.
>>FICTION: You can’t plan ahead for an earthquake.<<
You can sort of — locate safe places that you can get to quickly: assume the ceiling and walls will pull away and drop. ALSO, keep 1 week (minimum) of water and MRE-type food were you can get to it. It took 3 days to get water and power back after Northridge. I used a camping stove to cook and a friend brought me beer (lol).
A 5.1 has been the largest I’ve experienced and that really caught my attention.
Thanks.
Whittier Narrows?
(let’s play Guess That Earthquake!)
I give..who is she?
Lordy!
She was supposed to be cast in The Poseidon Adventure, but her floatation devices prevented her from doing the underwater scenes.
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