In our industry, there’s a saying: earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings do. While this is an oversimplification, it highlights the critical fact that the threat to public safety during earthquakes is primarily due to structural instability. Injuries occur because building facades, walls, parapets, ceilings, or other structural components collapse under […]
OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.
August 2024 NEWSLETTER
Earthquake Preparedness Tips from the California Earthquake Authority
Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.
Recent earthquakes in various California communities, including El Centro, Corona, Malibu, […]
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 is often cited when discussing seismic disasters because it is a shared experience for many. The 6.7-magnitude quake shook Southern California for just 10 to 20 seconds but caused $67 billion in damage. However, seismologists warn that the next “Big One” could be much more […]
Communities in the Apartment Association of California Southern Cities area face two significant earthquake threats. One is the well-known risk of buildings being damaged by strong seismic shaking, and the second is the localized danger of a tsunami triggered by a distant earthquake.
More than 150 of these powerful water forces […]
Q: Is there a way to know how safe your apartment building is in case of an earthquake?
One person answered that if the apartment is still standing, it has survived everything until now — wrongly implying the building must be able to withstand a major earthquake because it has done […]
Many Californians live in denial about earthquakes, laughing off their threat to our lives and livelihoods. After all, we’ve survived them before—why should the next one be different? The stark reality is that earthquake preparedness should be a priority for everyone. We need to ask ourselves: Are we prepared at […]
OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.
July 2024 Newsletter
Ensuring Earthquake Safety for All: The Importance of Retrofitting
Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.
In seismically active cities along the U.S. West Coast, many […]
The devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria served as a wake-up call for many Californians who once felt confident in their knowledge of seismic activity. With over 50,000 lives lost in those quakes, Californians now wonder: could a similar disaster strike closer to home?
Experts provide a straightforward answer: yes, it’s […]
Recent earthquakes in Los Angeles have served as a stark reminder of the region’s seismic activity. These tremors underscore the need for heightened preparedness for a potentially larger, more devastating earthquake. It is crucial for residents and authorities to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to ensure safety and resilience […]
The dilemma of whether to allow new construction on active earthquake faults remains contentious. Equally pressing is the issue of the many structures already positioned over these hazardous fissures.
These concerns have emerged prominently in areas like Hollywood and other parts of Southern California, where active faults run through numerous neighborhoods.
In […]
