Recent earthquakes remind students to be prepared

By Stephanie Para | Staff Writer |

Recent local earthquakes have CSUSB students focusing their attention on the potential “Big One”.
According to the United States Geological Survey, a 5.1 earthquake, with an epicenter in the city of La Habra, struck at 9:09 p.m. Friday, March 28th. The quake was felt widely throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
“I definitely felt it…it shook the whole house,” said a CSUSB Computer Science student, who asked to remain anonymous.
While the quake shook Inland Empire residents, extensive damage was sustained in Orange County.
More than $10.5 million in damage has been discovered in public property alone, according to Orange County Officials.
The discovery prompted a ratification of an emergency proclamation by Orange County Board of Supervisors to request a declaration of a state emergency on the federal level, in order to secure funds to repair said damage, as stated on the Orange County Register.
According to Natural Disasters and Geology instructor, Dr. Joan Fryxell, this quake is unrelated to our own San Andreas Fault, and belongs instead to a blind thrust fault in Puente Hills.
Although a quake this size does little to affect the San Andreas Fault, there is a small chance that some tension could increase on the area of the San Andreas Fault according to Fryxell.
“Experts say a bigger earthquake along the lesser-known fault that gave Southern California a moderate shake could do more damage to the region than the long-dreaded ‘Big One’ from the more famous San Andreas Fault,” as reported by CBS Los Angeles.
In response to her own Earthquake preparedness, one CSUSB Computer Science student said, “My family has an emergency kit at home, with water and supplies for all of us.”
“It’s impossible to not be scared, but it is possible to be scared in the right place,” said Dr. Fryxell. She advises students to physically practice safety techniques, such as not panicking and to ‘stop, drop, and take cover.”
“The reaction you have during an earthquake depends on how confident you are, the more you practice. The more it becomes committed to your motor memory, the more apt you will be to react in the way you practiced,” she added.

Dr. Fryxell also encourages students to become aware via online websites such as usgs.gov and shakeout.org, where students can get up to date earthquake information and emergency kit preparation help.
“There will be aftershocks…expect more earthquakes,” Fryxell said Therefore, it is strongly encouraged to have enough water and food per person to last at least 3 days, as stated on earthquakecountry.org. That is at least one gallon, per person, per day.
For students who drive more than five minutes to campus, Fryxell recommends not only having supplies and emergency kits at home, but also in their vehicles.
She suggests a pair of walking shoes, food that does not easily expire, such as granola bars, and a roll of duct tape.
All items can be stored in a simple backpack, which can be ready to go when an earthquake hits.