Following frequent earthquakes, the shadow of devastating earthquakes looms over the hearts of Californians. Governments at all levels and private organizations are reminding the public to prepare for disasters that could strike at any moment.
On August 27th (Tuesday), Ms. Wu, who lives in Pasadena, Southern California, discovered a seismic preparedness notice posted on her door. She said, “Every household nearby has one posted on their door.”
Officials from the Pasadena City Hall stated that the notice is not an official notification from the city government, but it serves as a reminder for the public to be prepared for earthquakes. They mentioned that people should always be earthquake-ready, and there is relevant information available on the city government’s website. However, verifying with the city hall upon receiving any notification is the correct approach.
Not long ago, the area experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, causing a water pipe to burst in the Pasadena City Hall. The earthquake occurred on the afternoon of August 12th, with the epicenter in Highland Park, about 6 miles northeast of Los Angeles and only 3 miles from South Pasadena. During the event, many people even felt their houses shaking.
Just two days before the earthquake, a rare occurrence took place. On August 10th, a 12-foot-long oarfish appeared at La Jolla Cove. Since 1901, only 20 of these rare creatures have been seen along the California coast.
There is a legend in many parts of the world that these rare deep-sea fish can “predict natural disasters and earthquakes,” which is why the oarfish is also known as the “doomsday fish” or “earthquake fish.” However, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego believes there is no scientific evidence to support this.
Coincidentally, after the appearance of the “earthquake fish” in San Diego, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Southern California. Prior to that, on the evening of August 6th, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in the northwest of Los Angeles, causing tremors in a large area of Southern California. With two relatively significant earthquakes happening within a short half month, seismologist Lucy Jones believes this does not necessarily indicate the likelihood of a larger earthquake. Nevertheless, the topic of “the big earthquake is coming” remains a focal point of discussion among the public.
Renowned American geophysics professor Richard Aster has previously warned that California is on the brink of a destructive earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher, surpassing the expectations of most people.
Ms. Wu mentioned that she still feels a lingering fear of the intense tremors due to her city’s proximity to the epicenter. As a result, she pays closer attention to earthquake-related news.
The notice she received states: “Given the recent earthquakes, now is the time to prepare for disasters.” Preparation includes having canned food (enough for three days), storing at least 72 hours’ worth of water (1 gallon per person per day on average), preparing a basic first aid kit, necessary medications, flashlights with batteries, and a radio.
Pasadena City Hall officials further stated that from the state government to local authorities, everyone is urging the public to be prepared for earthquakes. The three crucial steps to survival during an earthquake are to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has also repeatedly urged the public to download the “MyShake” earthquake early warning system application introduced by the state government to receive earthquake alerts before they strike. ◇