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Hazard in the Lithosphere: Earthquakes from 1900 to 2014

Earthquakes in San Bernardino County, California

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Caption
Shown in this map layer are locations in San Bernardino County, California where earthquakes
of magnitude 5 or higher are shown via blue dots. An earthquake occurred in this area in 1992.
According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center at Caltech, the Landers
Earthquake occurred in June 28, 1992 at 4:57 A.M. PDT. The Landers Earthquake was located 6
miles north of Yucca Valley. Many faults were involved in the Landers Earthquake. The rupture
length was 53 miles, and the faults that ruptured include Johnson Valley, Landers, Homestead
Valley, Emerson, and Camp Rock. The magnitude of the Landers Earthquake was 7.3. According
to the U.S. Geological Survey, one person was killed during the Landers Earthquake at Yucca
Valley. Also, two people died of heart attacks, and over 400 people were injured. Buildings
collapsed and roads split.

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Earthquakes in California

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Caption
In California, earthquakes appear to be more commonplace near fault lines. For example, the
majority of earthquakes that have occurred in California from 1900 to 2014 have occurred on or
near the San Andreas Fault, represented by dots on the map. The darker the shade of the dot, then
the higher the magnitude of the earthquake. The size of the dots relate to the radius of the
earthquake. The bigger the size of the dots, the larger the radius of the earthquake. According to
the U.S. Geological Survey, earthquakes occur when blocks of earth slip past one another,
creating a fault. However, the blocks of earth have to overcome friction, and this friction is a
result of the edges of the rock being rough. And when the blocks of earth overcome friction,
energy is released, creating seismic waves that shake the earths surface.

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Earthquakes in the United States

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Caption
Earthquakes appear to be more commonplace in the West Coast compared to the East Coast. This
is reasonable because fault lines are abundant in the West Coast. Damage due to earthquakes has
been an issue for a long time. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, earthquakes are not
predictable. The unpredictability of earthquakes poses a risk to the inhabitants of the Earth if
they are not prepared. According to the American Red Cross, mobiles homes/homes not attached
to their foundation are at a high risk during earthquakes. Also, buildings resting on unstable soils
have a high risk of damage during earthquakes. The American Red Cross recommends bolting
down cabinets and hanging/placing heavy items away from places where people congregate. The
American Red Cross also recommends that peoples home be securely attached to its foundation.
Ultimately, preparation for future earthquakes will help reduce the amount of potential damage
caused by earthquakes, whether their magnitude is a 5 or a 9.5.

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Works Cited
American National Red Cross. "Earthquake Preparedness." American Red Cross. The American
National Red Cross, 2016. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/earthquake>.
California Institute of Technology. "Landers Earthquake." Southern California Earthquake Data
Center. California Institute of Technology, 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
<http://scedc.caltech.edu/significant/landers1992.html>.
National Geographic. "NatGeo Mapmaker Interactive." NatGeo Mapmaker Interactive. National
Geographic, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2016. <http://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org/?
ls=000000000000#/>.
U.S. Geological Survey. "Historic Earthquakes." Historic Earthquakes. U.S. Geological Survey,
6 Apr. 2016. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
<http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/events/1992_06_28.php>.
Wald, Lisa. "The Science of Earthquakes." The Science of Earthquakes. U.S. Geological Survey,
7 Apr. 2016. Web. 15 Apr. 2016. <http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php>.