OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.
February 2025 Newsletter
Stay Prepared: Recent Earthquakes in California Are a Reminder to Retrofit
Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.
California continues to experience frequent seismic activity, with multiple earthquakes recorded across the state in recent days. While most have been minor, they serve as a crucial reminder: earthquakes are inevitable, but their impact doesn’t have to be devastating.
Experts at the USGS warn that Southern California has a 36% chance of experiencing a 7.5 magnitude or greater earthquake in the next 30 years. This underscores the importance of earthquake preparedness, including securing emergency supplies, having a response plan, and—most importantly—ensuring that buildings are structurally sound.
For property owners, seismic retrofitting is a proactive step that can help minimize damage, protect lives, and prevent costly repairs. Older buildings, particularly soft-story apartments, unreinforced masonry structures, and tilt-up concrete buildings, are especially vulnerable during a major quake.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Seismic retrofitting can save lives and property—contact us today to learn how you can strengthen your building before disaster strikes.
For more details on the recent seismic activity, read the full article here: California Sees 5 Earthquakes in 24 Hours.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and let’s build a more resilient California together.
Research identifies migration, housing quality as risk factors in earthquake deaths
The vast majority of earthquakes strike inside the Ring of Fire, a string of volcanoes and tectonic activity that wraps around the coastlines of the Pacific Ocean. But when an earthquake hits, the areas that experience the strongest shaking aren’t always the places that suffer the greatest damage.
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Preparing For The Big One: The Critical Role Of Seismic Retrofits
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.”
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February is Tsunami and Earthquake Awareness Month in Oregon
After a proclamation from Governor Tina Kotek, February is Tsunami and Earthquake Awareness Month in Oregon. The state has been hit by moderate earthquakes in the past, and many Oregonians live in fear of “The Big One”.
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The 1995 Kobe quake: Reflecting on past lessons and assessing modern resilience
The earthquake centered around Kobe and Osaka, cities with 1.4 million and 2.6 million residents in 1995, a region that by 2020 saw modest population growth of around five percent (Statistics Bureau of Japan, 1995, 2020). Occurring on the Nojima Fault, the earthquake caused a shallow inland right-lateral strike-slip fault rupturing 40 kilometers from the northern end of Awaji Island through Kobe, delivering catastrophic ground motion lasting approximately 20 seconds (Toda et al., 1996)
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Earthquake Swarm Mystifies Scientists as Greek Island Tremors Continue
For three weeks Dionysia Kobaiou has been dealing with “the anxiety and stress” of her students on the Greek island of Amorgos which has felt thousands of earthquakes.
She has been teaching remotely since Greek authorities shut down all schools on Amorgos, its more famous neighbour Santorini and other nearby islands until at least until February 21.
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Aftershock analysis challenges world’s deepest earthquake claim
The magnitude 7.9 Bonin Islands earthquake sequence in May 2015, which ruptured deep within the earth near the base of the upper mantle, did not include an aftershock that extended to record depths into the lower mantle, according to a study appearing in The Seismic Record.
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Optimum Seismic Proudly Supports the LA Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Reception
Optimum Seismic, Inc. was honored to be a sponsor of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Reception, celebrating this year’s theme: Building a Legacy Together.
As a proud member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Ali Sahabi, COO of Optimum Seismic, is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen Los Angeles’ business community and resilience.
Learn More
Optimum Seismic retrofits 11 buildings for Property Manager
Santa Fe Management company’s Jessie Childers says a refinancing requirement prompted building retrofits.
Santa Fe Management tried Optimum Seismic on one property, and was impressed by the work. She then contracted with Optimum Seismic to retrofit 10 more apartment buildings.