These earthquakes in Japan are unsettling, you know?

[Auggie]

Think I'll give the earthquake kit a little review this weekend ...

[djean111]

1. This might make interesting reading - The Ring of Fire -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Fire

About 90%[2] of the world's earthquakes and 81%[3] of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. The next most seismically active region (5–6% of earthquakes and 17% of the world's largest earthquakes) is the Alpide belt, which extends from Java to the northern Atlantic Ocean via the Himalayas and southern Europe.[4][5]

All but 3 of the world's 25 largest volcanic eruptions of the last 11,700 years occurred at volcanoes in the Ring of Fire.[6]

It is a direct result of plate tectonics and the movement and collisions of lithospheric plates.

And then, of course, we have fracking, which has been proven responsible for earthquakes. I am hoping for a president who is against fracking.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I agree that fracking can cause earthquakes.

However, that is not what's happening in Japan.

They are in a very tectonically active area.

[djean111]

7. Oh, I know - I was just thinking how mankind is even accelerating earthquakes, now. Right here in

the USA.

I was in Tokyo, working, for a few tiny earthquakes. Two in hotel, my chair jumped about three feet to the side, then one in the middle of the night, the bed just bounced like someone jumped on it from the ceiling. Both times the hotel front desk called and said no worries. Then I was working in an office on a very high floor, about 5 o'clock, big bang, build swayed a bit, everyone looked up, then decided we weren't going to die, I guess, and went back to work.

Tokyo is so full of propane tanks that I feel like it will just explode if a strong quake hits it.

And I found out it is hard for my mind to accept "earthquake!" because it is/was such an alien thing to happen, buildings just moving.

[litlbilly]

9. And here, in Portland Oregon, we are kinda waiting for that little subduction zone of our coast to

let go. They are saying it will be a 9er and everything west of I-5 will be toast. Oh boy. Its called the Cascadia subduction zone and could produce a quake at least at big or bigger than anything we've ever seen.

[Auggie]

11. That's the one I'd really be afraid of. Subduction quakes can hit 9+ on the Richter.

[cui bono]

2. I was thinking the same thing. I also meant to get earthquake insurance this year.

They seem to only allow you to obtain it once a year when you renew your homeowner's insurance. But I was so busy I don't remember ever seeing the notice for it. I'm definitely signing up next year if it's not too late!

I think we're due for one somewhere in CA somewhat soon...

.

[Juneboarder]

13. You can always...

have your agent re-write your policy to include earthquake insurance (or) get a new policy from a new company and cancel your old policy. I'm not promoting earthquake insurance, though. We've never had it in Southern CA, and when the Northridge quake hit (I lived in Northridge at the time), FEMA stepped in and gave everyone money to rebuild. We did have to pay back, but it was a no interest loan.

[Little_Wing]

3. In your head you know it's not predictive

But deep inside you're afraid the experts have missed something

Good point on the earthquake kit.

[TeamPooka]

5. yup

[Galileo126]

6. Good idea, Auggie

Just reviewed mine ... all appears in order and current. But, I did put extra batteries on my shopping list. My landmord had our contractor shore up the restraints on my hot water heater recently, so that's done. That's 50 gallons of fresh water if needed (and if the water heater survives).

Also, I found my main line gas shutoff valve today (since you brought it up), and now keep a dedicated wrench set up for that purpose.

Never hurts to check the checklist!

[Divernan]

8. Good reminder about the gas line shutoff valve!

[SCVDem]

10. I live in Van Nuys

Earthquakes in So. Ca. are a fact of life.

We also do not sacrifice virgins to stop a natural activity.

That would be as useless as prayer.

[pinboy3niner]

12. Better review our mountain lion kits while we're at it

Mountain lion turns up at L.A. (Granada Hills) high school, home of the Cougars
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027760561

[PasadenaTrudy]

14. I don't give it much thought...

I've lived in L.A. for 52 years and have been through every quake here since 1964. It's just a part of life and they can happen at any time. Japan is very far away.

[Auggie]

15. What's the largest earthquake you've experienced?