2006-08-10 11:22:00 · 13 answers · asked by Sally E 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Earthquakes cannot yet be predicted! Period, the end. California has several earthquakes almost every day, but nobody can predict when or how strong.
2006-08-10 11:38:55 · answer #1 · answered by LazlaHollyfeld 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, yes. There was a 4.2 not far from San Francisco just a little while ago. The faults that are responsible are actually complex systems of faults. There are some that really "flow" quickly enough that some of the roads and fences have to be realigned every few years then there are the infamous ones that are pretty much locked in place until the stress reaches a level that they can't stay in place. The shock of this readjustment is the earthquake. Some idiot suggested an attempt to lubricate the faults in order to release the pressure but sanity returned with the realization that there was no way to regulate the release and what would likely happen was just what they were trying to avoid. The coastal areas of the tectonic plates are where you will find the most and worst fault systems (this doesn't mean that inland areas are not without them though) and the Pacific's' Ring of Fire is probably the worst of all. So guess where California sits with fault systems from San Diego to the Oregon border? As an after thought, check on the earthquake that is expected to destroy a large part of Europe. Historical evidence suggests that there have been a series of really bad 'quakes there and it may be overdue.
2006-08-10 18:53:08 · answer #2 · answered by Draken 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but.... how much danger you are in depends on where you are. The San Andreas fault is not that close to Los Angeles. The shock wave will have to lift the San Gabriel mountians before it gets to Los Angeles, that will disapate a lot of the force the quake generates. Also the soil you sit on has a lot to do w/ the amount ofdamage. The Aluivial (sp?) soil of the valleys transmits the earthquake waves very nicely & lets the wave keep it's force. The decomposed granite of many of the hillsides does not conduct the waves & it disapates the force of the wave.
One of the worst places to be in an earthquake is right above any tunnel. The wave can't travel thru the space inside the tunnel, there's no conductor. So it has to travel around it. There's less mass above the tunnel than below it, so the wave takes the easy route & goes above the tunnel, concentrating all it's force in the area above the tunnel. That means anyone above the tunnel is in for an E-ticket ride.
Most of the freeways in SoCal are built to withstand an earthquake. They are closed after every quake, because they have expansion joints built into them. Next time you go under a SoCal bridge, look up. You'll see lots of roundholes. Inside those holes are cables. During an earthquake, the bridge sectins seperate. Then CalTrans goes & tightens up the bridge sections. If they didn't let them ride out the earthquake by seperating, they'd break. The willow bends w/ the wind & survives the storm, the mighty oak stands stiff & breaks, Grasshopper. Most of the recent buildings built in Ca are built to our high earthquake codes as well.
Now, The New Madrid Fault in the East, (that formed the Mississippi River Valley) is also ready for a quake. The New Madrid Fault is bigger than the San Andreas & will produce a bigger quake. Are the buildings in the cities in the Mississippi River Valley ready for a 8.5 quake? Are YOU?
2006-08-10 11:43:57 · answer #3 · answered by Fulltime in my RV (I wish) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are there .What are you going to do by knowing this ?. I have developed the .early warning system for earthquake. This is only the way to save the life in this century. I got several appreciation from scientists but not from seismologist. Until people understand the use of this types of early warning systems for earthquake even god can not save them. My instrument has issued the warning signal and it was reported to local T.V.stations 2 hours before it struck our Indian coast. No body has come forward to find out the truth of my claims.
2006-08-11 01:21:40 · answer #4 · answered by A.Ganapathy India 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chances are very good that California will have a major earthquake "soon".
2006-08-10 11:27:05 · answer #5 · answered by kobacker59 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ask GOD for the answer. each and every thing you requested baffles even the astonishing minds. there'll be extra earthquakes in california, and everywhere else contained in the international, it is a given reality. How massive it is is yet another tale. Is california using have a huge earthquake, certain, at the same time as will that is, in hardship-free words GOD is conscious of. do not freak out, if your mom is that worried, pass...
2016-11-29 21:10:12 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably with in the next 6 years there will be a series of earthquakes each one bigger than the previous just about the right time the sun reverses its all 6 of its polarities
2006-08-13 11:17:27 · answer #7 · answered by Jase Mighty Pirate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Man, we always have earthquakes out here! Sure a big one is comming.....someday
2006-08-10 11:27:57 · answer #8 · answered by Hathor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about soon, but we all know that it's coming. The "experts" a predicting the L.A. area.
2006-08-10 11:28:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
one day soon YES get out while you can !!!
2006-08-10 11:25:31 · answer #10 · answered by Big R 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋