The December magnitude 7.0 earthquake off California’s northern coast serves as a stark reminder of the seismic risks faced by communities across the state, including Long Beach. While this quake primarily triggered tsunami warnings for northern areas, the event highlights the critical importance of preparation. Long Beach, with its dense […]
In December 2024, the issue of protecting affordable housing from earthquake risk has become more urgent than ever. The vulnerability of California’s aging buildings poses a serious risk to millions, especially those who rely on affordable housing. As seismic requirements become more stringent, the need to retrofit these structures grows, […]
In late September 2024, Long Beach hosted its annual Quake Heroes Earthquake Expo, a community-focused event designed to educate and prepare residents for the seismic risks Southern California faces. Held on Saturday, September 28 at the Recreation Park Community Center, the expo saw a strong turnout of local families, emergency professionals, […]
Before 1980, wood-framed, soft-story apartment buildings became a staple of Southern California’s rapid development. These structures featured open ground floors for parking with residential units above, prioritizing land use over safety.
These structures have since been shown to be among a community’s most deadly. Perched as if on stilts with their […]
The increasing demand for seismic retrofitting in Southern California has led to a surge of startup companies entering the market. This raises concerns about the professional expertise of some of these new entrants in such a specialized field.
With multiple companies competing for your business, it can be challenging to distinguish […]
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 […]
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 […]
Balconies hold substantial appeal for apartment tenants, especially in regions with exceptional weather such as Los Angeles, known for its enviable climate. These elevated spaces, including decks and walkways, are highly valued in Southern California’s rental market, offering residents convenient outdoor access and private areas for leisure and social gatherings. […]
Few might think to turn to a brewery for lessons on earthquake resilience, but the Anheuser-Busch company knows the subject well.
When its brewery in Van Nuys suffered significant damage in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, the company decided to invest $11 million in retrofitting structures at the site to withstand the […]
Earthquakes have confused and terrified people throughout human history.
In ancient times, many people believed earthquakes were the result of angry gods, giants and huge animals.
The Japanese believed a giant catfish living at the bottom of the ocean would shake the Earth when he moved. The Greeks blamed Poseidon, the god […]
