The "Big One"

[GreenTwin]

There have been a series of earthquakes in the last week along the New Madrid fault line, which unfortunately happens to be where I live.

There were a large number of earthquakes along this fault line in 1811 and 1812, causing the Mississippi river to flow north and create Reelfoot lake.

There has not been too much activity since 1812, but I do recall a very noticeable quake when I was about 10 years old, that shook the house quite a bit.

People often ask why I tend to prepare for long-term events in this area.
Well, we have had an ice storm that took out power for two weeks, and a high-wind storm that took out power for a week and a half.
During the ice storm, I had to take care of my invalid father-in-law, and keep his house heated, and keep him fed and taken care of.
We were lucky to find a generator and be able to power part of his house, including his gas heater.

The power outages are not too bad, but can get serious when the temperature is below 32F, since that can freeze all of your water pipes.

Most folks are aware of California and its seismic zones and earthquakes, but most folks, including the folks who live here, are not aware that the rating of the New Madrid fault zone (where I live) is higher than California, and the highest rated zone in the US.

There has been speculation for a long time about when "The Big One" will hit the New Madrid zone.

Attached is a USGS image that shows the problem with the fault under this area.
There is a deep V which contains sand and silt, and so the problem is liquefaction, which is where the sand/silt becomes like a fluid, and everything on top of it sinks into it during an earthquake.
An example of liquefaction can be seen in what happened at Kobe Japan not too many years ago, which has the same fault characteristics as this area.

I have made some preparations for a large earthquake.
I have a gas cutoff key, and keep it hanging on the wall.
Gas lines breaking have been a major cause of fire during earthquakes in California.

My house is not near the river, and so I think I am out of most of the liquefaction zone.

If the Big One hits, I think many in the area will be on their own for a while, especially after seeing how little help North Carolina has received.

I don't obsess about it, but I do try to keep a few items on hand, such as wick stoves, fuel, canned food, etc.

If I happen to stop posting one day, send cards and letters, as you will know the "Bit One" happened.
I will be in the backyard cooking on my wick stove, assuming me and my stove did not get liquefacted.
There are eye witness reports from 1812 of people who survived by throwing themselves on top of fallen trees, to avoid going down into the ground.
I am as prepared as I can get.

We know it will happen, we just don't know exactly when.
Perhaps we could have a series of smaller ones, but since we have not had one in such a long time, I think we are due to catch up with a major one.
.

 

[Lloyd-ss]

I think your preparations are money well spent, but I hope they just collect dust.

 

[GreenTwin]

Hope for the best; but prepare for the worst.
That is what I say.
.

 

[SmithDoor]

There have been a series of earthquakes in the last week along the New Madrid fault line, which unfortunately happens to be where I live.

There were a large number of earthquakes along this fault line in 1811 and 1812, causing the Mississippi river to flow north and create Reelfoot lake.

There has not been too much activity since 1812, but I do recall a very noticeable quake when I was about 10 years old, that shook the house quite a bit.

People often ask why I tend to prepare for long-term events in this area.
Well, we have had an ice storm that took out power for two weeks, and a high-wind storm that took out power for a week and a half.
During the ice storm, I had to take care of my invalid father-in-law, and keep his house heated, and keep him fed and taken care of.
We were lucky to find a generator and be able to power part of his house, including his gas heater.

The power outages are not too bad, but can get serious when the temperature is below 32F, since that can freeze all of your water pipes.

Most folks are aware of California and its seismic zones and earthquakes, but most folks, including the folks who live here, are not aware that the rating of the New Madrid fault zone (where I live) is higher than California, and the highest rated zone in the US.

There has been speculation for a long time about when "The Big One" will hit the New Madrid zone.

Attached is a USGS image that shows the problem with the fault under this area.
There is a deep V which contains sand and silt, and so the problem is liquefaction, which is where the sand/silt becomes like a fluid, and everything on top of it sinks into it during an earthquake.
An example of liquefaction can be seen in what happened at Kobe Japan not too many years ago, which has the same fault characteristics as this area.

I have made some preparations for a large earthquake.
I have a gas cutoff key, and keep it hanging on the wall.
Gas lines breaking have been a major cause of fire during earthquakes in California.

My house is not near the river, and so I think I am out of most of the liquefaction zone.

If the Big One hits, I think many in the area will be on their own for a while, especially after seeing how little help North Carolina has received.

I don't obsess about it, but I do try to keep a few items on hand, such as wick stoves, fuel, canned food, etc.

If I happen to stop posting one day, send cards and letters, as you will know the "Bit One" happened.
I will be in the backyard cooking on my wick stove, assuming me and my stove did not get liquefacted.
There are eye witness reports from 1812 of people who survived by throwing themselves on top of fallen trees, to avoid going down into the ground.
I am as prepared as I can get.

We know it will happen, we just don't know exactly when.
Perhaps we could have a series of smaller ones, but since we have not had one in such a long time, I think we are due to catch up with a major one.
.

Great reading
But not in California.
Most in California do not know you have backup water in the hot water heater. In other parts of thd USA no one is ready for big one.

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

Hope for the best; but prepare for the worst.
That is what I say.
.

I agree

Even California most are not ready .
I have backup generator just big enough go run refrigerator and few thing . It dual fuel most time propane. Alway have dry and can food . Most here may have 3 days of food on hand.
I have told others on that earthquake with solar flares burn down telegraph station in the 1840's.

Dave

 

[Richard Hed]

I agree

Even California most are not ready .
I have backup generator just big enough go run refrigerator and few thing . It dual fuel most time propane. Alway have dry and can food . Most here may have 3 days of food on hand.
I have told others on that earthquake with solar flares burn down telegraph station in the 1840's.

Dave

In the Soviet of Washington, I believe there are several fault lines intersecting. We get earthquakes all the time but unless you live near the Puget Sound, there is not much worry. Problem is, is that Puget Sound is pretty big. Where I live, in the center of the Soviet, there are constant tiny tremours of about 3 magnitude, we don't even feel them. Since I have lived in Moses Lake since 1990, I have not felt any earthquake there. However, I was working in the Seattle area when the 1991 quake hit--that was fun--wanted to get out my roller blades and go "skiing" but my roommate turned white. Lots of earthquakes in the Soviet.