How big is the earthquake risk in LA? (Riverside, Burbank: condo, home)

[LizzyNola]

"and I wondered how much of a threat quakes really are"

A BIG threat. Better not move here if you can't take the rocking n rolling

[ReginaWarino]

Originally Posted by sidburn

I might be moving to the LA area soon, and I wondered how much of a threat quakes really are. I know from other CA residents I've talked to that small quakes occur all the time and that it becomes a fact of life, but I also read that SoCal is long overdue for "The Big One," which could rival Katrina in terms of property damage and loss of life. Is the risk of a big earthquake a significant factor to consider or not a big deal?

The risk is great...I have lived here my whole life and I have experienced 6 major earthquakes in my life...according to the seismologist none of these earthquakes come close to the "big one" which we are several years overdue for...The main thing to do is be prepared! The threat of earthquakes is always on the front burner...you can study the geology of southern california and know that many faults run through our area approx. 15 faults that can produce a 6.0 earthquake or greater. The reality is we just wait and prepare and hope the "big one" can wait a little longer!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by ReginaWarino

The risk is great...I have lived here my whole life and I have experienced 6 major earthquakes in my life...according to the seismologist none of these earthquakes come close to the "big one" which we are several years overdue for...The main thing to do is be prepared! The threat of earthquakes is always on the front burner...you can study the geology of southern california and know that many faults run through our area approx. 15 faults that can produce a 6.0 earthquake or greater. The reality is we just wait and prepare and hope the "big one" can wait a little longer!

and what do you mean by prepare? there really isn't much that can be done. of course you can always have extra water and some food (non parishables) but there really isn't too much else one can do..We lived through a couple of the bad ones, just leaned to not worry about what might be..Yes, the "BIG ONE" will hit someday, but that could be tomorrow or 200 years from now.

Nita

[ReginaWarino]

Just an FYI, It's always been a hobby of mine to study earthquakes...everyday that we live in SOCAL there is a 50-50 chance of a great earthquake...on that note there's a 50-50 chance that we will not have one...here's a little fact: never have we had an earthquake where Los Angeles was the epicenter (northridge was the closest). You can go online on the USGS website and they will show you a map of the faults in So Cal and most are capable of generating a 6.0 or greater earthquake, and the map looks like a road map, instead of roads it's faults. A newly discovered fault was located east of La Puente that can tear apart the southland...We live with the fear daily. Just be prepared! I love LA but do to the overcrowding here, I want to move away...I was born here, as my family was and I have the population get out of control!! In my opinion the threat of earthquakes is great, but the people and overcrowding is much worse!

[user_id]

Originally Posted by ReginaWarino

..I was born here, as my family was and I have the population get out of control!! In my opinion the threat of earthquakes is great, but the people and overcrowding is much worse!

Yeah, I was born in Los Angeles and one side of my family has been in the area for a good 100 years. The earthquakes scare me, but its all the other stuff that is making me and my wife want to move.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by ReginaWarino

Just an FYI, It's always been a hobby of mine to study earthquakes...everyday that we live in SOCAL there is a 50-50 chance of a great earthquake...on that note there's a 50-50 chance that we will not have one...here's a little fact: never have we had an earthquake where Los Angeles was the epicenter (northridge was the closest). You can go online on the USGS website and they will show you a map of the faults in So Cal and most are capable of generating a 6.0 or greater earthquake, and the map looks like a road map, instead of roads it's faults. A newly discovered fault was located east of La Puente that can tear apart the southland...We live with the fear daily. Just be prepared! I love LA but do to the overcrowding here, I want to move away...I was born here, as my family was and I have the population get out of control!! In my opinion the threat of earthquakes is great, but the people and overcrowding is much worse!

Actually, the 1987 Whittier quake (5.9 magnitude) was closer to Los Angeles than the 6.7 magnitude 1994 Northridge quake. Of course the Northridge quake was larger, but the Whittier one did cause damage and resulted in 3 deaths.

[LuckyGem]

There's a daily risk of having a major earthquake in L.A.

We're long overdue for "the big one".

Recent Earthquakes in California and Nevada - Index Map

http://scedc.caltech.edu/recenteqs/Maps/118-34.html

Check these pages out.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by sidburn

I might be moving to the LA area soon, and I wondered how much of a threat quakes really are. I know from other CA residents I've talked to that small quakes occur all the time and that it becomes a fact of life, but I also read that SoCal is long overdue for "The Big One," which could rival Katrina in terms of property damage and loss of life. Is the risk of a big earthquake a significant factor to consider or not a big deal?

Another earthquake topic!

People who live in single story wood frames have nothing to worry about except for loss of property or having something fall on them. Secure objects heavy enough to cause injury.

Two story apartments are almost as good. I wouldn't even consider living in a three story apartment. In any case it's a good idea to live on the top floor. Less to fall on you and no pitter-patter of little (or big) feet.

There will surely be a really big one some day, although it may be many decades in the future. There will probably be more like the Northridge quake in '94, although at this size it damages only a small area and scares the hell out of everybody else. It's extremely unlikely that the whole city would be damaged.

[Kid Quake]

No need to worry until earthshake season comes around again this fall and winter. Right Fleet?

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Kid Quake

No need to worry until earthshake season comes around again this fall and winter. Right Fleet?

Wrong.

But keep it up with the hilarious posts... very entertaining.

BTW, what happened to the "big quake" that was supposed to have happened last fall and winter? Was it "postponed?"