Earthquakes (San Francisco, Marina: apartment, work, sick)

[aswedc]

What kind of business?

If you've ever considered accounting, here's a tip about firms in SF. Because the UC schools don't offer accounting majors, many of the employers here don't expect to see a full degree in it. A Business major and a couple classes on the side can be enough.

[mj88]

I am thinking banking, possibly communications/PR, anything non-sales. I am pretty open, just need to find something that pays well! Thanks for the accounting tip - I'll keep that in mind as well...

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

The Early Warning System sounds like my late cats.... one night I couldn't sleep, and was watching Dagwood and Che groom themselves and each other. They were purring and happy.... and then, mid lick, stopped. The licking stopped, with each tongue halfway out, the purring stopped and their heads slowly turned towards me, with their eyes wide.....

BOOM!

2.4 on the Hayward Fault.

They started licking each other again, and purring and I fell asleep.

As early warning systems go -- my cats SUCKED. I miss them though -- Che was 18 when she left us, and Dagwood was 21...

Awwwwww... that's sweet. Our cats were acting weird before the '89 quake, and wouldn't go outside for nearly 2 weeks before and after - didn't think anything of it before the quake, but realized their odd behavior in retrospect. People in Southeast Asia reported that animals ran inland (or uphill) before the tsunami, so maybe they are our best warning system! Apparently they're more sensitive to seismic changes, so they can feel the "pre-shocks" before a big one.

[ff52172]

I have been directly involved in one major earthquake - Northridge in 1994 - and was a couple hundred miles away from two other VERY major earthquakes - Landers and Big Bear both in June 1992. Landers and Big Bear were HUGE. Had they occured in Metro LA or Greater Bay Area, they certainly would have been considered, if not the, then a, BIG ONE. Landers I believe was a 7.5 - that is THREE TIMES the strength of Loma Prieta in 1989. So perhaps we've already had our "Big One" and were all spared because it took place out in the sticks. Sooner or later, IMO and of course the opnion of science, there is gonna be a big one on a major fault running right under or very near to right under the SF Bay Area or Metro Los Angeles. It will be devastating and MUCH MUCH worse than either LP in '89 or NR in '94...however, and it IS a big however, nobody can say when this will happen...maybe not for hundreds of years...maybe next week...maybe we all die in a nuclear holocaust long before the big one so any talk of it is pointless. Who knows? That's part of beauty of life. Who knows what the hell will happen? So, I would not worry about it. Northridge in 1994 was a thrust-fault quake, thus the intensity of its shaking for all practical purposes was much stronger then its 6.8 reading on the Richter scale would lead one to believe. After 10 to 15 seconds of shaking I was certain the building I was in would imminiently collapse and I would likely die. Strange thing is it didn't bother me all that much. There is an incredible amount of wonder and humbleness before God which participation in a strong earthquake brings out in one. It's not necessarily a negative experience at all, IMO. Just the same, it seems like it has been a LONG time (to me) since we had any significant shaking in Southern California. It sure seems like we are due down here for *something* on the scale of >6. Don't know so much about the Bay.

[ff52172]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Awwwwww... that's sweet. Our cats were acting weird before the '89 quake, and wouldn't go outside for nearly 2 weeks before and after - didn't think anything of it before the quake, but realized their odd behavior in retrospect. People in Southeast Asia reported that animals ran inland (or uphill) before the tsunami, so maybe they are our best warning system! Apparently they're more sensitive to seismic changes, so they can feel the "pre-shocks" before a big one.

The birds in the living room at my girlfriends house were freaking out somewhere around 30-45 seconds prior to Landers striking early on Saturday morning June of 1992. They seemed to be desperately trying to escape their cage. Their racket semi-woke me up. They EVERYTHING started swaying and it felt like the house was in the ocean, like all the earth underneath it had liquefied.

[kindafedup]

Originally Posted by mj88

Hello all, I am considering a move to the SF, but am absolutely terrified of the thought of "the big one." Being from the midwest I have never experienced a quake, but according to some internet research it appears SF may be due for another big one within the next 30 years? Would love if someone could shed some light on the subject. Is my fear legitimate? I am ready for a change and SF seems perfect, beautiful (other than the quake threat)!! But the thought of being violently shaken/seriously injured in a huge quake is literally making me sick (and moving is only an idea still!). I just read numerous internet stories of the 1906 quake and it is absolutely the most terrifying thing I have read.. survivors' accounts of witnessing people being crushed and falling here and there. If I'm understanding it correctly, this is due to happen to SF again soon?? Thanks to all who could fill me in.

Wow this is my fear too. Earthquakes-- this is one of the folk tales they used to tell us down here in La. 'You'll get killed in an Earthquake if you move to California!' But I'm with most of the people here, chances are higher of getting hurt here from our natural disasters than from the Earthquakes.

Also is this where mudslides happen as well? Probably way off on that, but if so, I saw a documentary on one a loong time ago and THAT looks scary, monstrous and painful. Tons of mud rushing at you, ready to devour you, nowhere to escape. Much like Lava--without the burning you alive part. sccarrrryyy....

[ImRandy]

Originally Posted by kindafedup

Also is this where mudslides happen as well?

Yep, California is well known for its mudslides.

[mj88]

Is there a particular region of CA where mudslides are more common?

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by mj88

Is there a particular region of CA where mudslides are more common?

The steeper parts. (sorry I couldn't resist)

[mj88]

LOL DMENSCHA-
Well, I would guess you are right!