Megaquake To Hit West Coast

Oakland, California, was the venue where on a sunny afternoon in 1989 the tremors started coming. One of the residents said she felt the waves of change run through the very base and foundation of her vehicle which was stuck in heavy traffic. 

The radio meanwhile announced that an earthquake was about to occur. A huge rafter hit her car and nearly smashed her face. The car dropped many feet below the highway. 

By the time the car lay in a heap of useless rubble, her foot was caught in the machinery. The falling down of the structure had caused many other motorists to be stuck in their vehicles. 

Later on a firefighter got the lady out just in the nick of time before another structure collapsed and totaled her car. The earthquake was called Loma Prieta and it claimed 63 lives. 

Over $10 billion in damages also occurred. The fault lines that run beneath the region are the cause of the earthquakes that often strike unannounced.  

The collision of the tectonic plates leads to tremors and a shaking of the ground and the result is massive destruction. The question is: are such earthquakes increasing in frequency? 

Well, the tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011 is one example of the selfsame phenomenon. And while the Japanese are quite prepared for their earthquakes, in the United States such is not the case. 

The West Coast region that includes Oregon has been particularly a favorite haunt for earthquakes throughout history. In fact the whole problem has its origins in prehistoric times. 

The loss of human life and limb not to mention the billions of dollars worth of damage to public buildings and roads could wreak havoc on the human and pecuniary elements of the United States if precautions are not taken. 

The use of more tensile materials in buildings (including huge springs beneath their basements) and safety drills in event of an earthquake is the only prophylactic that we have at present against these recurrent calamities.

Source: CNN