Safest area to live when the big one hits (Manhattan Beach: Home Depot, water heater)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Exposay

We live in thousand oaks and did during the northridge earthquake...lost exactly one candy dish. Thousand oaks did not take a big hit.

I remember the supermarket at Janss and Moorpark had a lot of broken windows.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by BamaTex

Like somebody mentioned earlier, I'd stay clear of areas that would be prone to liquefaction.

The thing is, you never know where the fault lines are that could cause a "big" earthquake.

An area that I KNOW that is not safe or is prone to liquidfaction in the valley is between Ventura Blvd and Magnolia from about Sepulveda blvd in Sherman Oaks all the way east to Vineland in NoHo/Studio City area. That area is horrible when it comes to liquidfaction but is desirable by all the "transplants" who move here to work in the entertainment field. That area is to be avoided if at all possible by renters/apartment hunters.

[SandyCo]

This is correct. Most of the buildings on Willis Ave. north of Ventura Blvd. were heavy damaged in the Northridge quake, as were a lot of apartments along Dickens (south of and parallel to Ventura Blvd.). I'm not aware of any buildings along Magnolia that took a heavy hit, though.

The problem is that these apartments were built on the old L.A. River bed, which is a known liquefaction zone.

I just found this earthquake liquefaction map, and even though it's a huge file, it's worth looking at. It seems that most of the communities along the 101 in the San Fernando Valley are affected, from the San Monica Mountains all the way up to Vanowen St.

(Well, I used to feel somewhat safe... *sigh*)

http://emergency.lacity.org/pdf_lhmp...uake_Part2.pdf

Originally Posted by LaoTzuMindFu

The thing is, you never know where the fault lines are that could cause a "big" earthquake.

An area that I KNOW that is not safe or is prone to liquidfaction in the valley is between Ventura Blvd and Magnolia from about Sepulveda blvd in Sherman Oaks all the way east to Vineland in NoHo/Studio City area. That area is horrible when it comes to liquidfaction but is desirable by all the "transplants" who move here to work in the entertainment field. That area is to be avoided if at all possible by renters/apartment hunters.

[Harrier]

The whole LA basin and the valleys are criss-crossed with faults. The "BIG ONE" will most likely occur on the San Andreas fault which runs along the northern edge of the San Gabriel mountains. As the Japan earthquake showed, the fault considered most dangerous did not produce that earthquake. I personally wouldn't be comfortable in coastal areas due to the tsunami threat - why not live in Lancaster or Palmdale where your are right on the SA fault! Also read Mike Davis's book "Ecology of Fear" - besides earthquakes - LA has been assailed with mudslides, fire, flood, riots, and even tornados! Living in Los Angeles means being surrounded by incredible natural beauty - but nature tends to bite back. I don't think it is a bad tradeoff. Don't worry about the "Big One" - just be happy about whereever you choose.

[JohnG72]

Caveat: The schools are bad, and the neighborhood is in decline, although its not THAT bad...certainly safer than most parts located within City of Los Angeles.

The part of Rosemead I grew up in is located on a large slab of granite. This area is basically the hill that San Gabriel Bl runs through from the 60 Fwy to somewhere around Paramount Bl.

On one of the maps someone provided, its just outside the liquifaction zone.

The 1987 6.0 Whittier Narrows earthquake had an epicenter very close to there.....around 1/2 mile away I believe....and stuff fell off the shelf but thats about it.

[whoisjongalt]

I suggest Colorado.

[apollyoncruiser]

Originally Posted by Harrier

The whole LA basin and the valleys are criss-crossed with faults. The "BIG ONE" will most likely occur on the San Andreas fault which runs along the northern edge of the San Gabriel mountains. As the Japan earthquake showed, the fault considered most dangerous did not produce that earthquake. I personally wouldn't be comfortable in coastal areas due to the tsunami threat - why not live in Lancaster or Palmdale where your are right on the SA fault! Also read Mike Davis's book "Ecology of Fear" - besides earthquakes - LA has been assailed with mudslides, fire, flood, riots, and even tornados! Living in Los Angeles means being surrounded by incredible natural beauty - but nature tends to bite back. I don't think it is a bad tradeoff. Don't worry about the "Big One" - just be happy about whereever you choose.

I think there's something to be said about living east of the San Andreas fault. I recently watched an earthquake program on TLC that discussed the differences of the faults and how that effects things. They say the San Andreas fault is a slip strike fault; meaning its moving northwest, but that old saying about California falling into the ocean makes me think that the fault won't behave as scientist have predicted and a large part of the area west of the fault will somehow be lost during the "Big One."

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by apollyoncruiser

They say the San Andreas fault is a slip strike fault...

Right-lateral strike-slip.

Originally Posted by apollyoncruiser

meaning its moving northwest

The reason they say it: because it's true.

Originally Posted by apollyoncruiser

but that old saying about California falling into the ocean makes me think that the fault won't behave as scientist have predicted and a large part of the area west of the fault will somehow be lost during the "Big One."

Keep deluding yourself. Did you know that the Easter Bunny will be here soon? He's pink and blue.

[profit101]

I lived in Rowland Heights during the Northridge quake. We felt a small amount of wavy movement, but nothing else. My office was in El Monte. One jar of instant coffee fell off the top shelf. Being plastic, it did not break.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by profit101

I lived in Rowland Heights during the Northridge quake. We felt a small amount of wavy movement, but nothing else. My office was in El Monte. One jar of instant coffee fell off the top shelf. Being plastic, it did not break.

Wow, I was 10 and lived in Corona, and I got thrown off my bed!