Californians are no strangers to seismic activity. The state’s high earthquake risk stems from the complex network of active fault lines running beneath our communities, making areas like Greater Los Angeles especially vulnerable.
The closer you are to a fault, the more likely you are to be impacted by seismic activity. […]
Most Californians have experienced earthquakes. There are the large ones – sudden, jarring jolts followed by more strong shaking that can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Farther away, these feel like a gentle “bump,” often followed by more rolling shaking.[i]
When a small quake strikes nearby, […]
We were all shaken by reports of February’s earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria. Nearly 50,000 were confirmed dead, and at least 164,000 buildings collapsed or were so badly damaged they need to be demolished. From the comfort of our homes, it’s easy to think we are immune to such […]
While Tokyo has its iconic Godzilla, Los Angeles has long been known for fearing the San Andreas Fault. But there’s an even more dangerous fault in L.A.’s backyard that could cause more destruction and loss of life than the San Andreas: the Puente Hills fault. Lying beneath densely populated, older […]
California faces a constant and very real threat of earthquakes. Yet, with daily life keeping us busy, it’s easy to push seismic preparedness to the back of our minds—until disaster strikes.
Now, as we refocus on strengthening our communities, it’s time to take proactive steps to enhance resilience against the next […]
Insurance carriers continue to closely monitor California’s earthquake liabilities, much like they track risks from wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. With seismologists warning that California is overdue for a major earthquake, property owners and insurance providers alike are growing increasingly concerned. As these risks escalate, so do the costs associated with […]
In the morning of January 10, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area residents were reminded of California’s precarious geological reality. A preliminary magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck near the San Francisco Zoo, shaking the city awake. While light and weak shaking rippled across the region, no injuries or significant damage were reported. […]
The recent December 2024 magnitude 7 earthquake off California’s coast served as a stark reminder of the Golden State’s seismic vulnerability. While no catastrophic damage or loss of life occurred, such an event underlines the importance of being prepared for future earthquakes—particularly the much-dreaded “Big One.”
Seismologists agree that while individual […]
Living in Southern California often comes with the unshakable thought: When will the next big earthquake strike? With over 20 million residents relying on water from outside sources, a major earthquake would threaten not only lives and infrastructure but also the very foundation of daily survival—water supply.
Dr. Lucy Jones, a renowned seismologist, […]
Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters, and in regions like the Pacific Northwest and California, the risk is ever-present. The looming threat of the “Big One” — a magnitude 9.0 earthquake along the Cascadia subduction zone — is a major concern for cities like Tacoma, Washington, where experts […]
