Living in an Earthquake Zone...

[Ade]

With what's going on in Japan and after having watched some of the most horrifying natural disaster imagery I've ever seen I can't even imagine living in an earthquake or tsunami prone area.

I know a lot of you guys in the US are sitting atop faults or on coasts that will see earthquakes and tsunamis at some point; how do you cope with the possibility that what is happening in Japan will happen to you? Do you just not think about the inevitable? Do you think of moving?

My heart goes out to those poor people in Japan that are going through all that loss and suffering.  

[Gator]

Yes, it is a tragedy. 

Risk is perceived as acceptable if we feel that we have some control over it and if it is remote.  This was a once in a lifetime event (no irony intended with lifetime).   Japan had prepared for this event, e. g. structures were designed for earthquakes, implemented early warning systems, etc.

SJ, would you visit California?  If so, you would be exposing yourself to risk.  I live in Florida, the lightning capital of the US, yet I play golf on days even when thunderstorms are predicted.  I travel in airplanes, and even drive automobiles. 

You may be asking the wrong people about risk.   After all, the RWD readers are married to RW or are considering it.   

[Faux Pas]

With what's going on in Japan and after having watched some of the most horrifying natural disaster imagery I've ever seen I can't even imagine living in an earthquake or tsunami prone area.

I know a lot of you guys in the US are sitting atop faults or on coasts that will see earthquakes and tsunamis at some point; how do you cope with the possibility that what is happening in Japan will happen to you? Do you just not think about the inevitable? Do you think of moving?

My heart goes out to those poor people in Japan that are going through all that loss and suffering.  

I live atop a fault line that is expected to shift and be an earthquake of epic proportions, the New Madrid. The last on the New Madrid earthquake was 200 years ago and just as recent as 3 weeks ago some tremors were felt throughout the state. Ironically, the same area is the edge of "tornado alley" and a tornado wiped out a large portion of our city about 10 years ago.

The fault line or the possible tornadoes never once figured into my decision to move here. On this side of the Atlantic, rarely do those factors calculate into anyones decision on where to live. IMO, living ones life with the paranoia of where to avoid such disasters is a bit over the top. When it is your time to go, there's nothing you'll be able to do about it. Choosing to live in areas not prone to natural disasters is only very minimally  minimize the risk.

SJ, did you choose to live in Norway because you feel safer from natural disasters?

[Gator]

When it is your time to go, there's nothing you'll be able to do about it.

Growing up in Tennessee I know about the New Madrid fault. The earthquake 200 years ago  made the Mississippi flow backwards for a period, forming the sizable Reelfoot Lake. 

It seems that most of the damage and deaths in Japan were caused by the tsunami.  My heart really goes out to those in  Japan who are alive but trapped beneath tons of rubble.  Being buried alive is my worst nightmare.

The fault line in Japan lies a relatively short distance off the coast, meaning there was little warning time and the wave heights were very high as the energy is barely attenuated.  The San Andreas fault in California lie inland.  I assume that this will not promote a tsunami.  Instead the western coast (Los Angeles) will fall into the sea.   If it is your time to go by this event, indeed you will be able to do nothing, and you will hardly feel a thing, well not for long.   

[tfcrew]

I live atop a fault line that is expected to shift and be an earthquake of epic proportions, the New Madrid.  

Some may be curious of the U.S. fault lines with earthquakes in the news lately.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/22/us-fault-lines-graphic-ea_n_432948.html

[Jumper]

From the article:

he fact is most (USA) states are at risk of major earthquakes, with 39 of the 50 states in moderate to high risk areas for seismic activity

SJ- It's a reality of living in the USA (or  many other countries)

a large part of the earths inhabitable surface can be in danger of seismic activity?
 No ,personally  I dont think of moving over it , and have fished Reelfoot Lake
about once a year  of my life (Gators new madrid fault reference) , it was a trip my grandfather took my father on often, then my father with me,,
and my son,the family tradition just continued.
Out on the lake you can see where the large area just sunk in creating cliffs and the lake itself during that epic quake.Hundreds of miles were effected and untold loss of life, as there where no good records at the time.
(I also used to live in California,so fairly used to the possuibilties )

still so many places have nearly the same exposer?
as simple example:
Your question could be posed to Italians?
I doubt many actually think of relocating over this, unless living thru it and directly effected?

long history of Italian quakes-
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6044077.ece


2009 , central Italy.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123899318663092015.html

[Ade]

SJ, would you visit California?  If so, you would be exposing yourself to risk.

Yes, at that short of an exposure the risk is very minimal and I'd guess better than crossing the street. Living there, having a family and exposing them to that risk day in, day out, is a different story as there is likely to be at least one big earthquake during my lifetime.

When it is your time to go, there's nothing you'll be able to do about it. Choosing to live in areas not prone to natural disasters is only very minimally  minimize the risk.

I'm sorry, but the fate has nothing to do with it.

SJ, did you choose to live in Norway because you feel safer from natural disasters?

No, but I wouldn't have moved here if it were earthquake prone - or tornado  prone for that matter. There are just too many other places in the world which are just as nice to live without those extra major risks to me and my family that I can't control.

We're not talking of daily risk that can be managed to a great extent, we are talking of places that will see a major earthquake most likely in my lifetime. Why on earth would someone to choose to live in a place like that if they have the choice to live elsewhere? My only guess is that like any other human endeavour, people have a way of ignoring the inevitable or seeing what they want to see...

[Ade]

From the article:
SJ- It's a reality of living in the USA (or  many other countries)

a large part of the earths inhabitable surface can be in danger of seismic activity?
 No ,personally  I dont think of moving over it , and have fished Reelfoot Lake
about once a year  of my life (Gators new madrid fault reference) , it was a trip my grandfather took my father on often, then my father with me,,
and my son,the family tradition just continued.
Out on the lake you can see where the large area just sunk in creating cliffs and the lake itself during that epic quake.Hundreds of miles were effected and untold loss of life, as there where no good records at the time.
(I also used to live in California,so fairly used to the possuibilties )

still so many places have nearly the same exposer?
as simple example:
Your question could be posed to Italians?
I doubt many actually think of relocating over this, unless living thru it and directly effected?

long history of Italian quakes-
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6044077.ece


2009 , central Italy.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123899318663092015.html

I guess after having lived in incredibly stable western/northern Europe all my life I find it bizarre that people actually want to live in these places that just seem so unstable to me. I honestly think that in the back of my mind I'd be constantly worried for my wife and kids. Life is way too short for that.

Well, good luck to all you guys. I wouldn't trade you for all the tea in china.

Oh and AJ, Italy? Seriously, nice place to visit for a week but who wants to live there?

Sorry Sandro dude, but really...

[Faux Pas]

I guess after having lived in incredibly stable western/northern Europe all my life I find it bizarre that people actually want to live in these places that just seem so unstable to me. I honestly think that in the back of my mind I'd be constantly worried for my wife and kids. Life is way too short for that.

Well, good luck to all you guys. I wouldn't trade you for all the tea in china.

I'm sorry, but the fate has nothing to do with it.

You're paranoid. Yes, fate has everything to do with it. There are somethings you cannot control and earthquakes and tornadoes are two of them. I resolved long ago to only worry about the things I can control. You are not immune anywhere on earth from natural disasters. Earthquakes and tornado's are only two of them. You may or may not live on a fault line but that doesn't mean you are safe. The probabilities are higher but, are are no guarantees especially with earthquakes. The longest warning or period of detection is 15 seconds.

[Shadow]

Why would people want to live on a volcano ? Because it prodices very fertile farmland, even if chances are once in a while your crops and house are destroyed.
Why would people wish to live on a fault line ? Simply because of the opportunities the area gives.
Why would people live below sea level ? Because the clay provides excellent farmland.

The major fault line near Iceland could create a tsunami reaching Norway.
Also Norway is known for people getting depressive due to lack of sunlight.
Still its a great place to live.

A once in a lifetime disaster is just that. Something that might happen.

[Gator]

Still its a great place to live.

My visit was too long.  Then again, many people would not want to live in Florida because of skin cancer. 

So where is a perfect garden spot of the world?

[Gator]

Yes, fate has everything to do with it.

Perhaps SJ, the same as me, does not believe in fate, i. e. destiny.   Must make for some interesting discussions with his wife if she is like most RW with regard to destiny.

[Faux Pas]

Perhaps SJ, the same as me, does not believe in fate, i. e. destiny.   Must make for some interesting discussions with his wife if she is like most RW with regard to destiny.

Tomato, tamato. Call it destiny, fate makes no difference. When they are lowering you in the ground is it really going to make any difference how they define it? Whether you were crushed by a building in an earthquake or crushed by a half million tons of falling rock in a landslide, fate or destiny?

[dogspot]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5QCeSS03RE[/youtube]

Uncle Tupelo wrote this song about the New Madrid back in the early 90s; performed here by Wilco.

[dogspot]

I live in San Diego, work about a mile from the ocean, and I was just talking about this with a couple colleagues of mine. I hate earthquakes. I've been through many and 1/2 of those occurred while I was asleep and was awakened by either a loud rumble, heavy shake, or being thrown from my bed. As a result, I dream of earthquakes frequently and wake up from "shaking" at least once a week. But for me, it's the risk I take for living someplace that I love. The way I look at it is this: I'm going to die at some point - if it is my time to go and I die during an earthquake, so be it. I can't live in fear of things that are out of my control, otherwise I would probably never ride in a car.

[SANDRO43]

Oh and AJ, Italy? Seriously, nice place to visit for a week but who wants to live there?

About 60,418,711 do .

The above is a seismic-danger map, colour-coded to show max soil G-acceleration with a 10%+ probability over a 50-year time frame. Milan is in the upper left corner, at the boundary of a grey and light-blue area therefore quite safe, we hardly ever feel tremors, and our elevation of 120 m (394 ft) is also a safeguard against river floods .

Sorry Sandro dude, but really...

You SHOULD be sorry, living most of your time in a cold, sunless land . Back in 1983, I ran the risk being transferred to IBM Denmark for 2-3 years  , but fortunately it did not materialise .

[Blues Fairy]

I guess after having lived in incredibly stable western/northern Europe all my life I find it bizarre that people actually want to live in these places that just seem so unstable to me.

Who knows how much longer Europe will be so "incredibly stable".  Knock on wood.

[Ade]

Yes, fate has everything to do with it. There are somethings you cannot control and earthquakes and tornadoes are two of them. I resolved long ago to only worry about the things I can control. You are not immune anywhere on earth from natural disasters. Earthquakes and tornado's are only two of them. You may or may not live on a fault line but that doesn't mean you are safe. The probabilities are higher but, are are no guarantees especially with earthquakes. The longest warning or period of detection is 15 seconds.

Of course you can't control or predict them and that's my point; why live somewhere that has a 100% probability of having one at some point and in all probability, in your life time?

And of course, it's possible that something pretty nasty can happen anywhere but it's about probability and risk. The chances of an earthquake, tornado, hurricane or other major natural event that is difficult to protect against where I live is about as remote as a meteor event. My guess, the chances where you live is about 100% over the next 50 years.

You're paranoid

That's a very easy phrase to bandy about.

How about this one; you have your head stuck in the sand.

[Ade]

Why would people want to live on a volcano ? Because it prodices very fertile farmland, even if chances are once in a while your crops and house are destroyed.
Why would people wish to live on a fault line ? Simply because of the opportunities the area gives.
Why would people live below sea level ? Because the clay provides excellent farmland.

The major fault line near Iceland could create a tsunami reaching Norway.
Also Norway is known for people getting depressive due to lack of sunlight.
Still its a great place to live.

A once in a lifetime disaster is just that. Something that might happen.

I guess you're a farmer then?

[Ade]

Perhaps SJ, the same as me, does not believe in fate, i. e. destiny.   Must make for some interesting discussions with his wife if she is like most RW with regard to destiny.

Fortunately, my wife is one of the ones that actually has a brain that she knows how to use.

[Ade]

Tomato, tamato. Call it destiny, fate makes no difference. When they are lowering you in the ground is it really going to make any difference how they define it? Whether you were crushed by a building in an earthquake or crushed by a half million tons of falling rock in a landslide, fate or destiny?

I'm curious, do you wear a seatbelt?

[GQBlues]

San Andreas is a strike-slip fault which is different than what happened in Sendai. It is IIRC 6' feet overdue. LA will still be further east than Reno, Nev. but will narrow that gap by 6' when it finally gives. With that much movement in such a short time, LA will really be flat as a pancake.

Oh well, it seems Hollywood's been trying to destroy LA anyway considering they seem to do so every 6th movie they make. We have no fear. Charlie and Lindsay are on our side...

[Ade]

I live in San Diego, work about a mile from the ocean, and I was just talking about this with a couple colleagues of mine. I hate earthquakes. I've been through many and 1/2 of those occurred while I was asleep and was awakened by either a loud rumble, heavy shake, or being thrown from my bed. As a result, I dream of earthquakes frequently and wake up from "shaking" at least once a week. But for me, it's the risk I take for living someplace that I love. The way I look at it is this: I'm going to die at some point - if it is my time to go and I die during an earthquake, so be it. I can't live in fear of things that are out of my control, otherwise I would probably never ride in a car.

This is a considered opinion that I can respect.

[JR]

I flew over Norway on my way home from Spb yesterday. I'll stick with the occasional quake and keep the year round SoCal weather. I like being able to go outside in the middle of winter in a tee shirt and wash the car. Idiots on the freeways...now that's another matter((

[Faux Pas]

I'm curious, do you wear a seatbelt?

Religiously. I have "some" degree of control of whether or not I'll be in a car crash. Nobody, even you in Norway has any control over whether you'll be in a natural disaster.

Of course you can't control or predict them and that's my point; why live somewhere that has a 100% probability of having one at some point and in all probability, in your life time?

And of course, it's possible that something pretty nasty can happen anywhere but it's about probability and risk. The chances of an earthquake, tornado, hurricane or other major natural event that is difficult to protect against where I live is about as remote as a meteor event. My guess, the chances where you live is about 100% over the next 50 years.

That's a very easy phrase to bandy about.

How about this one; you have your head stuck in the sand.

SJ, okay let's try this, your position is one of a paranoid position. Better? Didn't think so but there's no need in being offended. The probabilities are low I or my family will die in an earthquake compared to yours but our probabilities are much greater than yours. Conversely, your probabilities of dying in molten lava are much greater than mine of dying likewise. If that time comes neither of us can control it. Worrying about or scared of what you can't control is wasted energy and thought IMO