Recent Earthquakes in California/Nevada

[Mikey]

If you look at this index map of recent earthquakes in California/Nevada you'll notice that earthquakes are a daily, even hourly event.......  Fortunately though the vast majority of these earthquakes are minor, not even noticeable by most of us....

http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latest.htm

[Sunbeam56]

Several years ago I organized a birthday party for my DAd - family reunion - in San Diego, CA. Since I live, and was living at the time in Texas, this was something of a stretch. But Roark helped. 

It took a couple of trips over there to scout out the area. And of course, about a week for the actual production.

I never got used to the quakes. Even quakes you don't notice will send the lights swinging in restaurants and hotel lobbies. Gave me a feeling of vertigo. 

[miguynmkoi]

Just not looking forward to the BIG ONE!

[karen J]

We took the kids to the Fire Dept open house today, and it was terrific! They had all the trucks out for the kids to climb into, the CERT trucks (amazing!), food, scuba rescue demonstrations, use the pulley to rescue a man, side -sonar, etc. Did I say food? 

We had a long talk with the Battalion Director/chief, and one of the many things he mentioned is that they are keeping a very close eye on the San Madras fault here in Illinois. Who would-a thunk? Apparently, earthquakes are a real threat here as well as California.

We have something in common!   

[Mikey]

Yes, your New Madrid, Missouri earthquake in 1811 was an estimated 8.1 and ranks 7th on the top quakes in the U.S.  8.0 is a monster and extremely devastating.  Quakes are so few in the midwest that I fear there will be tremendous casualties when your next one hits because many masonry buildings in your area are not made to withstand such a quake. 


1. Prince William Sound, Alaska 1964  9.2   
2. Cascadia subduction zone 1700 ˜9     
3. Rat Islands, Alaska 1965  8.7     
4. Andreanof Islands, Alaska 1957 8.6     
5. East of Shumagin Islands, Alaska 1938 8.2      
6. Unimak Islands, Alaska 1946 8.1     
7. New Madrid, Missouri 1811 8.1   
8. Yakutat Bay, Alaska 1899 8.0    
9. New Madrid, Missouri 1812 ˜8     
10. Denali Fault, Alaska 2002 7.9     
11. Gulf of Alaska, Alaska 1987 7.9     
12. Andreanof Islands, Alaska 1986 7.9      
13. Near Cape Yakataga, Alaska 1899 7.9     
14. Ka'u District, Island of Hawaii 1868 7.9     
15. Fort Tejon, California 1857 7.9    
16. Rat Islands, Alaska 2003 7.8      
17. Andreanof Islands, Alaska 1996 7.8     
18. San Francisco, California 1906 7.8      
19. Imperial Valley, California 1892 7.8     
20. New Madrid, Missouri 1812 7.8     

[Sunbeam56]

"Rat Islands, Alaska" ???

I guess its self-evident that the reason that CA earthquakes get so much publicity and fear, is that there are a lot more people there....

[karen J]

Mikey, Thanks for the education. I had no idea that the 1906 SF quake was number 18!

[Mikey]

The reason the western portion of California gets so many earthquakes is because it is located on top of two tectonic plates that are constantly moving in opposite directions.  The Pacific Plate moves northwest and the North American Plate (continental America) is moving southeast. 

Here's an interesting map made by the USGS that shows significant quakes in the U.S. and its territories.  The color codes mean: red, 7 or greater; orange, 5.5 to 7 ; yellow, 4.5 to 5.5.   A moderate 5.0 earthquake will definitely get your heart pounding 

[EagleEye]

During the 9.2 quake in Alaska, I was on the Kitty Hawk anchored off of Okinawa. We were expecting a tidal wave to hit, so we were told either to go back to the ship, which was going to go out to sea to ride it out or stay on high ground. BTW, all of the bars and girls were on high ground. I did the only honorable thing

The tidal wave never really hit Okinawa, but devastated the Philipines, as I recall.

Steve