That’s a good question to ask during the anniversary week of the great S.F. Earthquake of 1906. (April 18th at 5:12 a.m., magnitude 7.7)
When – not IF – the next major earthquake strikes the Bay Area, please do not call me for help. I’ll be too busy looking after my neighbors. Don’t expect your local first responder to be able to offer any assistance; they will probably be too busy too, and/or the damage might be so severe that all normal communication systems are down. Whose “fault” is it?
It’s nobody’s fault – except – maybe yours for not being better prepared to cope with a situation that has been predicted for years and about which “Me, Myself & I” have posted scores of blogs on Petaluma360. A better question might be, “How many other faults are there in the S.F. Bay Area that might slip and cause extensive damage, such as” collapsed structures, bridges, pipelines, power lines, roads, and possible loss of lives?
In addition to the well known San Andreas Fault, what about the Rodgers Creek, Calaveras, San Gregorio, Greenville, Concord, or Mt. Diablo faults? I guess the potential danger and concern depends upon where you live. However, since 2008 is the 140th Anniversary of the 1868 Hayward Earthquake, a lot of attention has been focused on that fault zone. Recent computer models have produced new shake maps that estimate that a M7.0 earthquake along the Hayward Fault (similar to 1868) would generate stronger shakes in Contra Costa, Sonoma and Solano Counties to the north.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1868/shakemap/
Take your pick. In the event of a major quake along any of the Bay Area fault zones, there will be extensive damage and disruption of services. Please remember it’s NOT a question of IF, but WHEN.
Are you and your neighbors prepared and ready to cope? It will be your fault if you do not take steps now to “Be Ready” and to “Be Prepared.”
Check out – Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2005/15
Be Ready – http://www.ready.gov/index.html