That story this week about an earthquake fault that exists near downtown San Diego is not new, but it should serve as a reminder for all of us about something we already know about earthquakes.
The California Earthquake Authority has the numbers on their website. There are more than 15,000 faults in California. 500 of them are active faults.
And the earthquake authority says most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault and they say the chance of there being at least a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in California within the next 30 years is greater than 99 percent.
So in other words, there are earthquake faults all over the state and anyone who lives in California has to accept the fact that earthquakes do and will happen.
And that’s why decades ago the California legislature ordered the creation of maps of earthquake fault zones so developers and homeowners could check to see if their development or home was in one of these areas so the steps needed in construction to make them safe could be done.
And all that information is now on line for anyone to view.
But as much as having all that information available about earthquake faults is important, even more important is all of us living in California being prepared for earthquakes. That’s why there are statewide drills and why counties have websites like Ready San Diego with earthquake preparedness information.
When the big earthquake hits, we don’t want it being our fault that we’re not prepared.
Click on Map for California Earthquake Authority
(Photo credit Getty Images)