On Friday night, at 8:26 pm local time, California experienced its biggest earthquake in 20 years. M7.1 on the Richter Scale. The epicenter was in Ridgecrest in the Mojave Desert.
I was sitting on my couch on Friday night watching TV when I heard some creaking noises. Sometimes, the wood of our door makes noises when the AC is on and, as I imagine, the cold air inside and the hot air outside cause the wood to expand. Usually it’s just like one or two creaking noises.
However, the creaking went on for a few seconds and while I took notice, I didn’t think much of it.
Not until, my MIL and my friend Tanja almost simultaneously text messaged me about a big earthquake down in SoCal and until I checked the Internet to confirm that other people here in Sacramento had “felt” or “heard” something around the time the quake happened (like swaying lamps or sloshing of their pool water). It’s kind of bizarre to think that we can feel anything 300 miles north of the epicenter, but seismic waves travel. Sometimes, far.
Did you know that you can report if you felt an earthquake?
The USGS puts out an interesting map about the far-reaching effects of every single earthquake. Of course, I encouraged everyone to fill out the form! I did, too, although I only had little to report.
Tanja’s response was that I am the only person she knows that gets excited about earthquakes (and I guess, it’s true).
Earthquakes have strangely fascinated me since my first geography class in 5th grade and I went on to study geography in college. By a streak of luck, and I say that with a lingering pang of regret that I didn’t get to go to New England for my exchange semester, I landed right in the heart of “earthquake country” California.
Not surprisingly, I ended up writing my Master thesis about the San Andreas Fault System. While I didn’t end up working in seismology, I am still super-interested in the field and have had opportunities to work on earthquake-related projects.
People always ask me what it’s like to live with the fear of an earthquake happening where I live. First I would like to say that earthquakes don’t happen that often. Oh wait, let me rephrase that. They do happen on a daily basis, and on average there are more than 10 earthquakes every day, but they usually are too small for people to even feel them and are only detected by seismographs. I have only experienced a handful of earthquakes in my life, two of which – and you will find that funny – happened in Germany, and they were not particularly scary. The short rattling of some furniture, nothing more.
Sacramento is not necessarily a hotspot for earthquake activity, but we have had – and felt the effects of – earthquakes as close as the M6.0 Napa, CA (2014) and M5.7 Hawthorne, NV (2016) earthquakes. So, even though earthquakes can be felt where I live, the big fault systems of California are further away toward the coast and I am in the lucky position of being a “close observer”, but at the same time taking comfort in the safety of my geographical distance to more likely epicenters.
Do people think about the fact that an earthquake could happen? I don’t. Definitely not on a daily basis. I am aware of the possibility, but my first gnawing thought in the morning is not if it could happen today [it’s more like wondering when I get my first cup of coffee].
However, it’s rumbling underneath California all the time. People should know that. Californians should know that. California is kinda overdue for a big earthquake. The most recent significant one, before the one on Friday, was the M6.7 Northridge, CA earthquake in 1994. And while most earthquakes are not strong enough to be felt or, if felt, usually are not much cause for concern, Californians should be prepared for a big earthquake AT ALL TIMES.
Here’s a handy 7 step-list on how to prepare, survive, and recover:
Step 1: Secure your space.
Step 2: Plan to be safe.
Step 3: Organize disaster supplies.
Step 4: Minimize financial hardship.
Step 5: Drop, cover, and hold on.
Step 6: Improve safety.
Step 7: Reconnect and recover.
I highly encourage you, even if you don’t live in earthquake country, to read through this list and create a preparedness plan. Not all of it will apply if you don’t experience an earthquake, but many of these suggestions are good advice for any sort of emergency situation you might find yourself in.
Have you experienced an earthquake? Do you have an emergency kit at home?
Beth
July 8, 2019 at 1:54 pmI thought of you when I heard about the earthquake, I’m glad you are ok! Having a preparedness plan is such a good idea, no matter the event you are preparing for. Here we sometimes get tornadoes, it’s a good reminder to be ready in case something ever happens!
Kim
July 8, 2019 at 7:18 pmEarthquakes are something that I have never experienced before. Not that I want to. I love that you find it so fascinating and l think maybe life put you right where you were supposed to be to keep that interest of yours going. Glad you are safe!
Stephany
July 9, 2019 at 12:15 pmI was thinking of you when I heard about the earthquakes! I, too, am strangely fascinated by earthquakes. There’s just something about them!
Here in Florida, we mainly have to worry about hurricanes and the occasional tornado, so we usually have time to prepare. I should have some sort of emergency kit, though, because all the flashlights and batteries are GONE the minute we find out a hurricane is headed our way.
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
July 10, 2019 at 6:46 amI am also fascinated by earthquakes. It’s something I will probably never experience since I live in Minnesota but they just fascinate me!
Maribeth
July 10, 2019 at 7:38 amEarthquakes are rare in New Hampshire. However a few years back we had a 4.5. It was my first quake. Sounded like a train was coming through our house. Got me up and out of my chair! I do not like earthquakes. They really scare me.
As the others said, I thought of you when the quakes were/are happening in CA.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
July 11, 2019 at 3:51 amFrom a scientific point of view I find earthquakes and other natural forces like tsunamis or volcano eruptions quite interesting. However I am not sure if I ever want to be in the epicenter of a real catastrophe and a survivor. But it’s probably good to have some sort of plan in place for worst case.
Glad you are ok.
ShootingStarsMag
July 11, 2019 at 5:00 amI’ve never given much thought to earthquakes because I’ve never experienced one. I think being in the middle of a big one would be terrifying, but being on the outer edges like you, and just feeling a bit of it, would be kind of fascinating. I’m glad you’re okay though! And it’s probably a good idea for people to have emergency plans for any natural disaster – earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.
Kim G
July 11, 2019 at 2:24 pmLuckily I have never experienced an earthquake because I am sure I would freak out!
I am glad that you are okay.
Charlotte
July 12, 2019 at 5:14 amI’m so glad that you are okay. That’s crazy, how far the effects of an earthquake can be felt. Thanks so much for sharing this preparedness list. It’s not something I think of often, but I remember a few years back when I worked in NYC and my building evacuated because there was an earthquake. At the time, I was in a Duane Reade, likely getting contact solution or something stupid, and I came out to ALL of these people out on the streets. I guess they were able to feel the effect in highrise buildings, but I didn’t notice a blessed thing (#storyofmylife, lol).
Anyway, this is awesome info and I didn’t know you could also report having experienced an earthquake. That’s so cool you studied geography and you almost made it to the east coast!!!
Also have you ever heard the song “San Andreas Fault” by Natalie Merchant?? SO so good.