The last decade had been tough for the residents of California because of experts warning that the next big earthquake would hit the state. It is projected that the next big one should strike the plains of California at a magnitude of over seven in the Richter's Scale.
Translated into devastation that should be unequalled in the history, even if structures had been reinforced and a "New Building Code" had been in effect, still only those constructed from the 90's onwards stands the chance of survival. And since the majority of the structures were constructed before the "New Building Code" took effect, then expect a major catastrophe in our midst.
Thus when an earthquake of 5.4 magnitude struck downtown Los Angeles, it revived the fear of residents, although seismologists described it as only moderate. No equipment to date can predict when an earthquake strikes, so residents can never be warned in advance of the impending danger and never given the time to take cover.
We can only observe precautions, like what the residents of Los Angeles did. Office workers, factory technicians, students scrambled out of buildings, factories, schools and stayed on the open field but still out of the way of tall single structures - communication towers, electric posts,
custom flags and
flagpoles, because when the tremor is excessive it could topple these structures.
The Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a hasty news conference that California was indeed lucky for now, with no reported major structural damage on structures - buildings, bridges, freeway and elevated thoroughfares.
The jolt maybe moderate, but the effect could be felt up to San Diego, to Las Vegas to the east and even up to Tijuana in Mexico.
by:
The Flagman
