earthquakes

FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: WHOSE FAULT IS IT? APRIL IS EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Whose fault is it? We all own a bit of it!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) -- Let’s Rock! The month of April is declared “Earthquake Preparedness Month” by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services according to Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. We are “way” over-due for an earthquake. Now is the time to prepare, not afterwards says Chief DiGiovanna!


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SD EMERGENCY APP USERS NOW HAVE EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNING

 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by José Eli Villanueva

August 25, 2021 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego’s SD Emergency app is now equipped with ShakeReadySD, an earthquake early warning system. This will let users know if an earthquake has occurred nearby that is likely to cause shaking within seconds and it will urge them to take protective action such as drop, cover and hold on or another appropriate safety measure.


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QUAKES RATTLE REGION

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2021 (San Diego) – More than three dozen earthquakes struck Imperial County yesterday before 12 noon, centered near Calipatria and the Salton Sea. The strongest tremor measured 5.3 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 5.8 kilometers.

The temblors were felt across Southern California including the San Diego region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey website’s shake map.


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STRONG QUAKE PROMPTS EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS REMINDERS

 

If you felt some shaking on the Fourth of July, and even if you didn’t personally sense it, you have likely heard it was from a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in the Mojave Desert near the town of Ridgecrest. The quake is being called one of the biggest in Southern California in 20 years, could be felt in various counties as far as San Diego County and Nevada, and is continuing to put out aftershocks.


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HOW TO SURVIVE A SIGNIFICANT EARTHQUAKE

 

 

The Anchorage, Alaska 7.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami warning, which was later canceled, reminds us all to be prepared for these kinds of unpredictable disasters. Having a disaster plan and supplies and practicing your response with your family could mean escaping serious harm.

Residents who live in seismic zones like San Diego County should know what to do before, during and after a significant earthquake. Most people who are killed or injured during earthquakes are hurt by falling objects around them.


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TRUMP TRIES TO ELIMINATE FUNDS FOR EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNINGS

 

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 20, 2018 (San Diego) – Earthquake warning systems have been proven effective in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico, where residents received warnings ranging from a few seconds to a minute before major earthquakes struck. 

Even a short warning can be enough to save lives at hospitals, airports, power plants, schools and other locations.


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QUAKES RATTLE NERVES IN JULIAN AREA

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 9, 2017 (Julian) — Residents in the mountain town of Julian have had more than a power outage to cause frayed nerves.  Numerous small earthquakes have occurred, including a magnitude 4.0 quake Wednesday that has triggered 76 aftershocks.


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PUBLIC ADVOCATES FIND "FAULTS"WITH $64 MILLION SEISMIC STUDY OF EARTHQUAKE RISKS AT SAN ONOFRE

 

Source:  Public Watchdogs

Photo: recently as 1881, the coastline from Northern Orange County to Central San Diego County was officially known as “Earthquake Bay.”

February 16, 2017 (San Diego) -- A public advocate and a geologist are singing a sour note over the  publicly funded  $64 Million study of earthquake risks at SONGS, the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.


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CHIEF’S CORNER: WITH SO MUCH IN THE NEWS, DON’T FORGET…

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 23, 2017 (San Diego) -- With inaugurations, drought, protests, storms etc we seemed to have forgotten that about 23 years ago this month was the Northridge earthquake. The 6.7 quake killed 16 people and damage was reported up to 85 miles away!

We are “way” over-due for an earthquake and we ALL live near a fault line. Now is the time to prepare, not afterwards reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.


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MYSHAKE APP HELPS PREDICT QUAKES—AND SEND WARNINGS TO USERS

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Want to get a warning before a major earthquake hits and help scientists monitor earthquake tremors?


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CALIFORNIANS AT RISK OF QUAKES CAUSED BY FRACKING WASTEWATER DISPOSAL

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 16, 2014 (California)--A new report reveals that the risk of earthquakes in California is being dramatically increased by oil companies injecting billions of gallons of wastewater from fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, into disposal wells near active faults near major cities.  “Millions of Californians live in areas at risk for induced earthquakes,” the report concludes.

The report, titled “On Shaky Ground,” was prepared by Earthworks, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Clean Water Action.   It found that 54% of our state’s 1,553 injection wells are within 10 miles of a recently active fault, 23% are within five miles and 6% are within just one mile. 

Numerous earthquakes across the country have been linked to fracking by scientists, including temblors as high as 5.7 on the Richter scale, the report details. Fracking quakes are common in areas such as Oklahoma and Texas, producing quakes higher than ever seen in some places.


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PANELISTS URGE PREPARATION, SPEAK OF EARTHQUAKE TYPES AND DAMAGE

story courtesy Grossmont College

October 17, 2013 (El Cajon) -- With a statewide earthquake drill known as the "Great California Shakeout" planned for 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, panelists in Grossmont College's Griffin Center told students last week, where to expect earthquakes to repeatedly happen, how to best be prepared for them, and what it is like to experience their devastation.  Many of these tips are included in the story below.

The panel was a precursor to the Oct. 17 drill in which students, faculty and staff will be advised that in the event that they are inside a building during a real earthquake, they should drop to the floor, get under and hold onto a desk or a table, and cover their heads to prevent materials shaken loose from falling on them.  The Oct. 17 drill will last approximately two minutes after which normal classroom activities will resume.


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: EARTHQUAKES, NOT MY FAULT!

April 14, 2013 (San Diego) – Let’s Rock! The month of April is declared “Earthquake Preparedness Month” by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services according to Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. We are “way” over-due for an earthquake. This week we’ll focus on general earthquake safety and next week we’ll review earthquake preparedness at work.  Now is the time to prepare, not afterwards says Chief DiGiovanna!


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS


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NEW COUNTY MOBILE APP A MUST IN EMERGENCIES

September 28, 2012 (San Diego) – You don’t know where you’ll be when the next wildfire or other major emergency hits San Diego County. But this week’s destructive Shockey Fire is our latest reminder that emergencies do happen here.

Starting today, you can download SD Emergency to your iPhone, iPad or Android phone or tablet to get critical emergency information wherever you are. The app is designed to keep residents and their families informed and safe throughout events likely to affect the region, such as wildfires, or potential threats, such as damaging earthquakes or terrorist events.


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SMALL QUAKE RATTLES AREA ON ELSINORE FAULT

 

March 30, 2012 (San Diego)—A quake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale and centered 4 miles southwest of the Palomar Observatory rattle the region at 12:06 a.m.  The quake, centered on the Elsinore fault line, was felt as far away as El Cajon.


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MEXICO EARTHQUAKES: LESSONS LEARNED SAVED LIVES

By Nadin Abbott

March 22, 2012 (San Diego) Updated 11 p.m.--On March 20, Mexico City was rattled by the strongest earthquake since 1985. The 1985 quake had an intensity of 8.1 on the Richter scale and lasted 90 to 120 seconds. It rattled a country that had no civil defense system to speak off, one where a halting government response left a lot to be desired.

In contrast, on Tuesday the city was shaken by a 7.8 quake. Major buildings were evacuated in good order. Damage and injuries in the urban area were kept to a minimum, while in rural areas, prompt action by authorities helped to save lives.


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WHAT I’VE LEARNED AS A SURVIVOR OF A 7.5 EARTHQUAKE

 Travels in time to Bucuresti, Romania

 
By Iolanda Scripca

December 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--After a warm visit with my grown son, I tell him “Good bye !” He hugs me and jumps into his car. We wave back and forth and I still do not go back into the house until the curve fades away his presence.  Life is so precious and, when you think I could have died decades ago, at age sixteen, the  memories of that evening still give me goose bumps. ..My son, Christopher, would have been just an undefined wish of energy wandering in this infinite universe.

 


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QUAKE EXPERT DR. PAT ABBOTT TO SPEAK AT “HISTORY ALIVE” NOV. 3 IN LEMON GROVE

 

 

October 19, 2011 (Lemon Grove)—Could a major earthquake strike San Diego County—and will you be prepared? Well-known earthquake expert and media commentator Dr. Pat Abbott, will discuss the "big one on the next "History Alive" lecture series. The event, sponsored by Lemon Grove Historical Society, will be held November 3 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove.

 


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HIKE WITH A SEISMOLOGIST: SATURDAY AT ANZA BORREGO'S COYOTE CREEK FAULT

 

January 6, 2011 (Anza-Borrego) – On Saturday, January 8 from 12 noon to 4 p.m., San Diego State University seismologist Tom Rockwell will lead a field trip to Coyote Creek Fault to discuss the geology of the area and its recent activity. Visitors should meet in the back parking lot of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center for the short off-trail walk, wich costs $35 (or $25 for Anza Borrego Foundation members).

 


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GREAT CALIFORNIA “SHAKE-OUT” DRILLS SET FOR OCT. 21

East County News Service

October 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Do you know how to protect your home and your family when a major quake strikes?  Recent seismic activity in San Diego has shown the importance of being prepared. All County residents are urged to participate in the Great California ShakeOut October 21 at 10:21 a.m. Schools, colleges, businesses, churches, and community organizations can register at www.shakeout.org. To date, more than 6.6 million Californians have registered to participate; over 530,000 are from San Diego County.

 

Here are tips from Shakeout on what to do -- and what NOT to do in a quake:


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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR A MAJOR QUAKE--BEFORE THE BIG ONE STRIKES?

East County News Service

 

July 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Fault lines in and near East County have become more active since the Easter earthquake in Mexico.  Both the San Jacinto and Elsinore faults have potential for a quake measuring 7.0 or higher, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  Fortunately, planning and identifying  hazards ahead of time can reduce risk of serious harm before an earthquake hits.

 

For example, repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lights to the ceiling, and upgrading to meet local seismic building standards help reduce the impact of a quake. Creating an emergency supply kit and a family evacuation plan are also important.  Below are earthquake safety tips providing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that you can take now—before a major quake hits our region.


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SAFETY TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

 

March 29, 2010 (San Diego) -- Following recent minor earthquakes in our region and the recent devastating quakes in Haiti and Chile, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) advises that advance preparation is critical in getting ready for the next major earthquake. The Gas Company offers these safety tips to help reduce the chance of injuries or property damage from the next quake:


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