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Earthquake Preparedness Guide

You will need to download the PDF from Canvas.  Yes, it’s lengthy, but it is describing a course of action that will help you better prepare for the next big Bay Area Earthquake.  

Pages 4-7

1. Where is the Cascadia Subduction Zone and which 2 tectonic plates meet at this boundary?

1. Explain why we, in the Bay Area, might be concerned with a large magnitude earthquake at the Cascadia Subduction Zone.  How could we be affected?

1. Explain how earthquake frequency in the Bay Area changed as a result of the 1906 SF Earthquake.

1. According to geologists, what is the likelihood of a large magnitude earthquake occurring in the Bay Area in the near future? (one sentence that gives the % and the range of time).

1. Which Bay Area Fault has the highest probability for the earthquake described above? What is the probability?

“Why should I care?” Pages 8-11

1. The intensity of shaking, and therefore the damage produced during an earthquake is controlled by what 3 factors?

1. Explain what caused the collapse of a section of the Cypress Freeway structure in Oakland during the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.

1. Of the hazards explained on pages 10-11, pick 4 that you believe pose the greatest risk in the Bay Area.  List and briefly explain the hazard and why you think this hazard is prevalent in the Bay Area.

How do I find out about expected shaking in my neighborhood? 

• Read the box on the bottom of page 12 then visit the following website to answer the following questions based on where you currently live.  (Note: the website listed on the PDF is out of date so use the link below.)

http://resilience.abag.ca.gov/earthquakes/ 

1. According to the Shaking hazards map, most of the Bay Area has a high probability of Strong shaking.  However, some locations may experience Violent shaking.  Of the 3 factors that you listed for question #6, which do you think is contributing to the Violent shaking in these areas.  (Notice the mainly linear trend).  Explain.

SHAKING HAZARDS

• Click on the county that you currently live in (if it’s not shown on the map, then click on Santa Clara County and answer the following questions based on the location of San Jose State).  Once a map of your county shows up, click on it again and a map that allows you to zoom into specific areas will show up.  Find your home (to the best of your ability).

1. According to the map, what level of shaking is likely in your neighborhood?

LIQUEFACTION SUSCEPTIBILITY

• Go back to the first page, scroll down, and click on the liquefaction susceptibility map.  Again, you should see a map that allows you to zoom into your neighborhood.  You can display the legend if it is not already displayed by clicking on the arrow next to the word LEGEND on the left side of the screen.

1. According to the map, how susceptible is your neighborhood to liquefaction?

1. There are several sections of the map (between highways 880 and 101) that have a High or Very High susceptibility to liquefaction.  Zoom into those areas and determine what geographic feature may be causing this trend.  

Pages 13-17

• This section details some of the things you should consider while preparing for an Earthquake, including why you should prepare and the things you can expect to be affected by a large Earthquake.  While you don’t have to answer any questions about this section, I highly recommend that you read through it.   The test of your preparedness will not be in this class, but in the real world scenario of an earthquake.  Something to consider…

7 STEPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY Pages 19-28

The PDF outlines 7 steps for Earthquake Safety.  Read through them.

1. What is step 1? 

1. What are some things you can do in your home to better prepare before an earthquake occurs?

• Great.  Now go and do them!

1. What is step 2?

1. Of the many things listed in step 2, what are some things you can do to prepare?

• Again, go complete these tasks (at least a few of them!

Disaster Preparedness Kits 

1. Step 3 suggests that you have 2 separate disaster preparedness kits (one for your household and a personal one).  Make 2 columns below and compile a list detailing what you will include in each of these kits.   Underline each of the things that you still need to purchase or otherwise acquire for each kit.

• Continue reading through the rest of the document, paying particular attention to what you should do during an earthquake.  Again, you aren’t graded on this part, but the “Big One” is going to happen, now is your chance to be prepared.