Earthquakes in northern California, are they bad? Need some info (Sacramento: how much, new home)

[famlife]

Hi I was looking at the eureka ca area and I know that there are occasional earthquakes there. I was curious about how bad they typically are, how often, how much do they effect life? I'm from the Midwest and am basically clueless. Where in northern Cali is least shaky?

The idea of quakes and tsunamis, etc worry me, but my husband wants to be near water and I want to be near (or in) the mountains.

Also we have kids that are into gymnastics, parkour, circus arts, theater, etc... Is there anywhere in Cali that is away from the crowded busy crazy areas, and has vERY mild summers that would offer some of those things?

Just shopping some states, anticipating a move in the fall. Jobs and school are no issue as we do both from home. Thanks so much.

[BeauCharles]

Damaging earthquakes aren't nearly as frequent in California as tornadoes in the Midwest. I'd much rather have the ground shaking that the air flying around me at 100+ miles an hour.

[californio sur]

Eureka is in a very active earthquake region. Inland over in the Sacramento valley is just about as safe as it gets in regards to California earthquakes.

[famlife]

I guess it's all about what you're used to... I remember seeing that big quake in LA on tv as a kid. I was so scared because it was the worst thing I'd ever seen up to that point that was real. Being from MI, it was unfathomable. During a tornado, you just sit in the basement for awhile, no biggie... And it doesn't cover as much ground either. Earthquakes however... (shudders)

[famlife]

Sur- you mean to the east of Sacramento? Does it matter if it's north or south of Sacramento?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

Damaging earthquakes aren't nearly as frequent in California as tornadoes in the Midwest. I'd much rather have the ground shaking that the air flying around me at 100+ miles an hour.

But that's the only way to get to Oz!

Lived in Sacramento for almost 20 years and remember only one or two earthquakes that I actually felt. That was in 1990-'91 and they were likely aftershocks from 1989's Loma Prieta shake. No damage. Just a bit of rock-n-roll.

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by famlife

Sur- you mean to the east of Sacramento? Does it matter if it's north or south of Sacramento?

I'd have to look it up but my guess is that the entire Sacramento valley is probably one of the least active earthquake zones in California. But a still active volcano, Mt Lassen, is just northeast of the valley.

[esmith143]

http://www.seismic.ca.gov/pub/shaking_18x23.jpg

[famlife]

Thanks for all the infos guys very helpful. I'm really doubting that ca is the right place for us... Colorado might be more ideal. The mild climate was appealing but you can't have it all I guess!

[BeauCharles]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

But that's the only way to get to Oz!

Lived in Sacramento for almost 20 years and remember only one or two earthquakes that I actually felt. That was in 1990-'91 and they were likely aftershocks from 1989's Loma Prieta shake. No damage. Just a bit of rock-n-roll.

There was a 6.0 earthquake in Oroville back in 1976. I've felt a few shakers living in the Sierra (Mariposa County) and in Monterey County (Soledad and Salinas). My cousin in Oklahoma City had his new home scoured to the cement slab by the massive tornado swarm that hit in 1999. My mom had her arm broken in one when she was a little girl there. No one in my extended family in California has had anything remotely like that from an earthquake.