There seems to be some interest on this board about this natural phenomenon, so I thought I’d start a separate thread -- I have a lot to talk about!

Let’s begin at the beginning.

LA lies on what they call a “fault line,” a split in the earth that separates two vast areas (or “plates”) of land. When the ground where they meet slips, you have an earthquake.

I’ve experienced every earthquake in LA, and (happily) lived to tell about it -- dozens of them.

What is the experience actually like? I liken it to, “surfing on dry land.” A small one just shakes your house like a large truck rumbling by, it can be that subtle. Most earthquakes are nothing more than minor inconveniences, only lasting a couple of seconds. However, in the RARE instance of larger ones (called “moderate” quakes) or in the EXTREMELY RARE incidence of bigger ones (called “major” quakes), those seconds or minutes can feel like an eternity. As weird as it sounds, I actually enjoyed the novelty of a small one, they can even “liven up” an otherwise dull day. But bigger ones bring on a whole new set of emotions -- and dangers.

First of all, THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING YOU CAN DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE, REGARDLESS OF SIZE, IS TO PANIC. Panic during a quake does roughly the same thing that panic during live theater does to an actor – all you do is run around screaming and running into the furniture! Same thing during an earthquake. A cool head goes a long, long way in insuring you’ll walk away from one – in one piece.

It may be of comfort to know that quakes that kill are EXTREMELY REMOTE. The exception is the Northridge Quake of 1994 (named after the exact place, or “epicenter,” of where the earthquake started) that injured and killed several people. What is vitally important to understand about large quakes is this: IT ISN’T THE QUAKE THAT KILLS AND DAMAGES, IT’S THE FALLING OBJECTS AND DEBRIS THAT DOES. Those images of the ground suddenly opening up and swallowing people and cars whole like you’d see in a “B” movie are pure fiction (even if the ground cracks, it never closes back up like some sort of hungry beast). That’s why all smart Californians always practice what we call, “Earthquake Preparedness,” simply being ready when an earthquake strikes, which it inevitably will (I recall a time when I was shooting a new client and a small “shaker” hit RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HER SESSION!! I watched with an amused grin as the brave young lady actually continued to smile, even in the height of the quake! That’s raw courage for you… I assured her that it was “perfectly acceptable” to stop a headshot during an earthquake, then we continued – after she calmed down. It was her first time in LA, her first headshot, and her first earthquake!!! Talk about “a virgin no more,” this was the ultimate).

Remember what I said about the danger of falling objects? Here’s what you can do to prevent injury from moderate to larger quakes:

1) First, DON’T PANIC. Fear kills and injures far more people than any earthquake ever could. Just chill, and ride it out. They don’t last very long, it just SEEMS that way.
2) Always secure all large, free-standing objects (like large TV’s, armoires, book shelves, cabinets, etc.), anything you wouldn’t want falling on you when a big quake hits) with large bolts, screwed directly into to a heavy wall stud.
2) HAVE A PLAN.
When a quake hits, it doesn’t give warning. The second you realize you’re in one, immediately get under something sturdy to protect you from possible falling debris, like a heavy table, etc. Moving to a hallway located in the center of your space is also a good idea, this is where a house is the strongest. I am NOT an advocate of “standing in a doorway”!! Yes, this is an extremely strong part of any dwelling, but the thought of a swinging door bashing my brains out is not my vision of a “good idea.” Part of your plan should always include having a “Go Bag” (a backpack or sachel with all of your essentials in it -- a small radio, cash, ID, any daily medications, a fully-charged cell phone, even a small first aid kit) right by your door and ready to go at a moment’s notice. You should also have enough food and water to last you at least THREE DAYS in the event of a major quake.

What is meant by, “The Big One”?

This is every California resident’s biggest nightmare come true. LA and San Francisco lie on one of the largest fault lines on earth, called the San Andreas Fault. Long overdue for a quake, it was the same one that destroyed the entire city of San Francisco at the turn of the century. It extends all the way from the Mexican border to the south, to Vancouver, Canada to the north. Capable of generating forces of up to a “ten” on the Richter Scale (the way we measure the intensity of earthquakes), such an event would reduce the entire Southland into a burned-out cinder, a virtual battle zone. It may never happen within our lifetimes, but it WILL HAPPEN. Not an altogether pleasant thought, but a reality, nonetheless, and it's fifty years overdue. That’s the GOOD news. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of smaller, unknown faults that criss-cross the entire state that may be potentially as capable of the same level of destruction as the mighty San Andreas. Although they are much, much smaller, their close proximity to major population centers makes them every bit as dangerous, maybe even more so (the devastating Northridge Quake was one such fault, but centered in the San Fernando Valley, right below the population-dense area of Van Nuys, where the infamous Northridge Meadows Apartments collapse occurred).

When a major tremor happens, it will usually knock out all services – telephones, cell phones, all emergency services, and many roads may be closed, often for long periods of time. You’ll be pretty much on your own. So being prepared can mean the difference between you being a survivor, or a casualty.

If I’m painting too grim a scenario to all those seeking a new life in Los Angeles, that wasn’t my intention. If I were to be offered a big contract in a series or a film, I’d be on the first plane out, in a heartbeat. In fact, I still own a studio there. But when it comes to earthquakes, a little knowledge and preparedness can go a long way.

I hope this has helped toward that end.

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
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Robert thanks. It's true though that reading your post was a little like watching a doomsday movie. the good news is I love those kinds of movies. Especially when they take place in NY or LA.

I liked Hancock the first hour or so because of the way he was tearing up LA and the way LA was responding. I would have to see a shrink to find out why this is so entertaining to me.

But seriously thanks for the advice. I will be in LA soon and will not panic but have a plan.

It's a real treat contributing to your informative board, Roz.

Have a wonderful and productive stay in "Shaky Town," and make sure you have a car!

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
Exclusive Back Stage Discounts
www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Robert, thanks for the good info!