Really? Is the glass half empty or half full? While I certainly don't want to claim that SoCal if "fully prepared," there are hopeful signs - the development of CERT, the development of regular EQ awareness events,some enhancement in building codes (although this is far from perfect), and the development and distribution of hazard maps. The mayor is pushing hard for infrastructure improvements which seems like a no-brainer.

EQ preps are interesting. You are getting ready for an event which may never occur in your lifetime,and yet you stockpile stuff and adopt a series of habits which will be useful if it starts shaking. And then you get on with life

Those of us on the Pacific Plate are moving past the NA plate about as fast as fingernails grow,and yes,stress is increasing. When and where this stress will release is anybody's guess. A great deal of the time it occurs on a fault not previously recognized (like Northridge)

One last encouraging note. When Northridge struck, I was on San Miguel Island(the westernmost of the Channel Islands). When Loma Prieta struck, I was again on San Miguel island. That's a 100%, perfect correlation. You will be happy to know I have no plans to visit San Miguel Island in the future,and, if I do go there, I will announce it in advance. That's the least I can do....

It does seem that the area governments are better prepared than ever (but have a lot further to go, especially in regard to dealing with the structural inadequacies of older buildings).

I don't know that the public is less prepared than ever, maybe they are I don't know, but I'd bet that most individuals will find themselves woefully unprepared for a major disaster.

That just seems to be human nature.



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