U.S. West Coast: How Ready are We for a Great Earthquake or Tsunami?

A tsunami evacuation sign posted in Southern California 2012

As the world continues to spin and the earth continues to move we find ourselves facing the reality that we are just here for the ride.  The earth is wild and not tame.  Though man with every generation gains knowledge and grows in population and culture, it seems we can only attempt to lessen the inevitable damage and loss of life that comes from the disasters of the earth.
With the disastrous event that was clearly seen by the entire world, people around the world most certainly will be asking,

"What if that were to happen to us?"

In no other time in history have we been able to see the horrible and awesome wrath of the tsunami upon humanity.  March 11th combined with the Fukushima meltdown and on going crisis has awoken humanity to the realization that safety is an on going battle, and with all our ingenuity, it perhaps can easily be forgotten.

Over the past year many experts raised valid concerns that the San Onofre Nuclear power plant located near San Clemente would not be able to handle a massive earthquake or tsunami like what was seen in Japan.  This would be a population of millions of people at risk for a catastrophic nuclear event.

Personally I have serious doubts that the U.S. could handle such a combined disaster very well.  That being said I did make the observation that there is a tsunami evacuation route posted along the roads to beaches that seem to ease concerns most likely brought about by the impact of 3/11.

Below is an amazing video that shows exactly what it feels like to be caught up in a tsunami.  It is almost surreal I encourage you to watch and share it and ask yourself what would you do? or even would you be ready for such an event.




Ultimately worry is counter productive but discussion about such disaster scenarios and improvements that could be made is absolutely necessary to preserve life.  When it happens, you will not have time to plan only time to react and try to do your best to survive.  This is coming from a person who lived experienced life in Japan when it all happened on that fateful day.

God bless and be ready in your heart for any circumstance.  How great the gift of faith is in times of trouble!

Tales From Japan: The Coming of the Great Tokai Earthquake in 20??

Captured as one of the most startling images of 2011 from National Geographic.  Lighting sparks as volcano erupts in Kyuushuu Japan.

An image of an erupting volcano in Kyuushuu Japan. Mt Shinmoedake is the most recent major volcanic eruption on the island of Japan. It erupted in January 2011 and subsequently a few more times afterward leading to the evacuation of a few hundred local residents. The department of Japan's government who handles such issues raised the level of emergency to a level 3 out of 5. Level 5 is a full blown eruption requiring the immediate evacuation of all local residents and subsequent areas of danger.


Japan Metereological Agency explanation of levels and safety measures




































Looking at the history of Japan and its seismic and volcanic activity reveals a harsh and fearful reality.  It is difficult to accept that many will die, many more injured and scarred for life by the trauma of it all.  Yet the earth continues on without malice nor a whim of our concern. The truth of the matter is that the earth has a schedule to keep and our presence will simply not detour it.  A great earthquake is always brewing, especially in Japan where seismologists have upped the percent of a magnitude 9+ earthquake hitting the Kanto region in the next 30 years to 87%, though some put it even higher into the upper 90th pecentile.

While Japanese are confident in their building technology and prevention measures, as March 11, 2011 demonstrated, nature can exceed human preparation and expectation.  The Great East Japan Earthquake devastated Japan but not nearly as much as a potential M9 earthquake even closer to the highly populated capital and metropolitan area of Tokyo.

More info here
Researchers raise level of great Earthquake to hit Japan

Although scientists do not exactly know when an earthquake will hit they have a clear understanding of their cyclical nature and early warning technology is still advancing.  In fact, the Great Tohoku Earthquake was actually detected 1 minute in Tokyo before the earthquake began.  This perhaps gave some people a moment to find a safe area or take cover.

Below is a video in Japanese that explains the sure inevitability of the Great Tokai Earthquake that will come in our lifetime.  The scary thing is that on this 300 year cycle as before Mount Fuji is bound to erupt.  That means that this next Tokai quake will most likely be 1000 times stronger than the Great Tokyo Earthquake of 1923.



(The video is in Japanese but needs no real translation just watch the visuals and you will get the idea. Plus if your studying Japanese there is some motivation for you).

Beside Japan there is also talk of a great earthquake and tsunami that will hit the west coast of the United States. Many experts are concerned with the continued high activity on the pacific ring of fire and some believe that another great earthquake will occur in 2012 somewhere along it.

 

Some experts see the potential for another Great Earthquake along the Juan de Fuca plate devastating Oregon and triggering massive and destructive tsunamis along the west coast of America.  This earthquake like the Tokai Earthquake in Japan is due to occur this century.

More info here
The Great Coming Cascadia Earthquake

The population of the world is increasing and people are naturally drawn to live in places near fault lines which tend to have properties conducive to human settlement.  This is the conundrum that humanity faces as civilization evolves and progresses.

For an island people like the Japanese there seems to be little but no choice to invent, improve, or adjust to drastic living conditions in order to survive.  This is their fate and many of them affirm it and have strong resolve to prepare for great disaster because...

The next Big One could be tomorrow!