Phrase of the Week - Seismic Quiescence

Do you consider yourself a poster family for earthquake and other natural disaster preparedness? If the answer is yes, you are probably reading this post some place in presently peaceful California. In which case, it is highly likely that you are familiar with the hot topic of  'Seismic Quiescence'.

It is hard to find a clearly comprehensible direct definition other than the fact that a 'decrease of microearthquake activity' is considered a (controversial)  potential precursor for significant earthquake shock prediction.

According to the Seismological Society of America, calculations of seismic quiescence provide convenient tools to quantify decreases in earth movement making it all the more tempting to take a guess at when the next big shake will occur, though anomalies in studies along various fault lines tend to degrade seismic quiescence to 'an observation with a high false alarm rate' for earthquake prediction.

Alright then. Do we really have much of a clue when to expect a major shake, rattle and roll relatively 'due' to us here along the West Coast?

There has certainly been a lot of chatter in the media following last week's earthquake in Chile. Whilst the Chileans were credited with a superior level of preparedness in comparison with Haiti's horrific collapse, do we rest of our laurels here in California, assuming that we've everything under control?

Experts at California Emergency Management Agency certainly have their work cut out for them in one of the most seismically active regions of the world. As long-term leaders in measures taken to prepare for the eventual inevitable (at least within the next quarter century), it remains to be seen if the majority of Californians will remain safe when a major quake rumbles through. Infrastructure may be tough, but state water supplies from the Delta levies could very well be devastated.

Disasters can clearly happen without warning at any given moment time and if we haven't taken common-sense steps to keep our ourselves, our families and our property safe, we're simply not paying attention to lessons learned most recently around the world.

Take a few minutes to review the Cal EMA basics in emergency preparedness. Even if you are the natural disaster preparedness poster family. It certainly can't hurt to be king of the hill when it comes to getting your kit ready:

Make sure your building is safe:

• Check for damage to your building, including the foundation, roof and chimneys.
• Evacuate immediately if the building shows signs of partial or imminent collapse or is threatened by a fire.
• Check the building for fires, gas leaks, electrical shorts, broken water lines, spilled flammable or hazardous materials.
• If there is damage, turn off the utility at the source
• Evacuate immediately if the building is threatened by a large fire or if you hear or smell escaping gas.
• Report gas leaks to your utility company.
• Stay aware of your surroundings. Don't enter damaged buildings or sleep in locations where large, heavy items could fall on you.
• Clean up overturned furniture, broken glass and other nonstructural hazards.
• Don't use candles for lighting. They can topple over easily during an aftershock, causing a fire or an explosion if there's a gas leak.
• Don't use a charcoal grill or generator inside your building or garage (due to the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning)
• Wear a dust mask or avoid prolonged exposure in areas where there's a substantial amount of dust.
• Check for hazards outside the building.
• Assume electrical wires that have fallen are live. Don't try to touch or move them
• Avoid contact with any surfaces that are touching fallen electrical wire, particularly

If you are forced to evacuate and must go to a shelter, you will need to take the following items:

• "Go kit" with basic supplies, including non-perishable food, snacks, water, first-aid supplies, prescription medications, a portable radio and consumable medical supplies.
• For each person, a change of clothing, jacket, sturdy shoes, personal hygiene supplies, wash cloth and towel, pillow, blankets or sleeping bag
• Personal identification, credit cards, house keys, cell phone and charger, list of important phone numbers and important documents, including copies of insurance policies, birth certificates and other important documents.
• A few books, toys and games for children
• Special food or support materials for infants and elders who require those items.

If you have pets and need to evacuate, you'll have to take them to separate shelters set up especially for them and provide the following items:

• Food
• Water
• Feeding dishes
• Leashes
• Pet carriers
• Vaccination records
• Prescription medications

Use the phone only to report life-threatening situations:

• If you have a life-threatening situation and your phone does not have a dial tone when you first pick up the receiver due to system damage and overload, wait for several minutes to see if the dial tone returns instead of handing up and calling again immediately.

Once telephone service is restored, call your designated out-of-area contact to update them on your condition and location.

• Have them contact the rest of your family and friends to update them on your situation
• Continue to limit your calls to emergency situations until advised otherwise by emergency officials.

If there is a power outage and you don't have to evacuate:

• You can safely use food stored in your refrigerator for up to four hours after the power failure.
• You can safely use food stored in the freezer section for up to two days if you minimize the number of times you open the door.