Why Now?

The earthquake scenario that scientists have recently developed gives us a glimpse into our future—and an earthquake of this magnitude will be unlike any we’ve ever experienced before. A gigantic earthquake, like the magnitude 7.8 rupture simulated in the map image at right, will occur along the southern San Andreas Fault. It’s not if an earthquake of this size will happen—but when. It’s very likely that it will happen in our lifetime.

In an earthquake of this size, the shaking will last for nearly two minutes. The strongest shaking will occur near the fault (in the projected earthquake, the Coachella Valley, Inland Empire and Antelope Valley). Pockets of strong shaking will form away from the fault where sediments trap the waves (in the projected earthquake, it would occur in the San Gabriel Valley and in East Los Angeles). An earthquake of this size will cause unprecedented damage to Southern California—greatly dwarfing the massive damage that occurred in Northridge’s 6.7-magnitude earthquake in 1994.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PREPARE FOR EARTHQUAKES OF THIS SCALE TODAY

Unless we take action today, there will be major losses of life and property. The Great Southern California ShakeOut has been organized to help raise awareness as well as help Southern Californians prepare for the big earthquakes in our future.

Take the first step in your preparation today— register for the Great Southern California ShakeOut.