Though it seems like earthquakes around the world are random events, I have noticed there are particular patterns and trends which I think can be attributed to California. This state was in an obvious earthquake deficit until about two months ago. After nearly a two-year period, we began to experience a greater number of 3.0 quakes, which had strangely been absent. Some could say the pattern change really happened with the San Simeon quake, but I think it may be more recent.

Most noticeably were the quakes at Adobe Hills, near Mammoth, followed by Parkfield's long-awaited 6.0, quakes in Keene, near Bakersfield and many off-shore events as well. The off-shore events I felt were a signal of change. In tandem with California's earthquake drought South America seemed to enjoy relative quiescence and now is experiencing more frequent earthquakes.

Earthquake prediction in the last year has had some amazing results, but even with it everyone needs to be prepared for an earthquake and I think it's time for Californian's to realize this includes them. The recent documentary airing in the San Francisco Bay Area, "Where The Fault Lies" produced by KRON-TV made it abundantly clear that any day we can have a 6.5 or greater earthquake on any fault because they are all showing they are stress loaded. No longer are we hearing, "sometime in the next 30 years", but "anytime." This is a significant statement.

For those who may be reading this message and reside in California it's time to practice earthquake awareness. This means that it's time to notice the placement of your furniture at home. Do you have any large pieces of furniture which could topple during an earthquake? Is your water heater strapped? And could you take a few hours to build an earthquake kit? Do you have enough water on hand to take care of your family's needs for three days? Do you have any idea how to get home if your usual route is closed after an earthquake? These are simple things to address now because in the middle of a crises it's to late.

As Frank Johnson of Los Angeles County's Fire Department said, "Don't expect the Red Cross to show up with coffee and doughnuts after an earthquake." We may be on our own for a little while and if you want to know what's going on, you need a radio and some batteries to go with it, or you truly will be in the dark.

What sparked my interest in this post today was looking at the photos of the damage in Japan on the Earthquake News site this morning. What is there today, will unfortunately be here sometime in the future. It doesn't take a 6.9 to render a persons home unliveable. A 5.0 in some locales can do the same.

Petra

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