I survived the 2014 California 6.0 Earthquake

[angryChineseKahanist]

Time to build some Japanese earthquake resistant buildings.


http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/earthquake-resistant-buildings.htm

[Ukrainian Jew]

Time to build some Japanese earthquake resistant buildings.


http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/earthquake-resistant-buildings.htm

But since America has a socialist government, there's probably no money for that.

[muman613]

California has some of the most rigorous Earthquake standards in the country.


http://homeguides.sfgate.com/california-building-codes-earthquakes-2592.html

1971 Sylmar Quake

On February 9, 1971 an earthquake hit the San Fernando Valley, just north of Los Angeles. It registered a 6.4 on the Richter scale, but had a seismic moment of 6.7, and did tremendous damage to the area. 58 people were killed and 2,543 were suffered injuries. Two major hospitals were destroyed and four freeways and overpasses collapsed. The State of California decided after that earthquake to make significant enhancements to its building codes pertaining to earthquakes. In Los Angeles, the Sylmar Quake led to the passage of an ordinance that required retrofitting of more than 8,000 unreinforced masonry buildings with the greatest risk of collapse.

Improvements

The impact of the improvements to building code could be seen in the 1987 Whittier Quake, 1991 Sierra Madre Quake, 1992 Landers Quake, and 1994 Northridge Quake. Los Angeles city officials say that more than 200,000 people were living in retrofitted brick buildings with the Northridge Quake hit. Not a single death or injury was reported from more than 37,000 units in 1,300 strengthened buildings. The structures that were built or strengthened under the new, stricter code experienced limited damage, while those structures that had not been retrofitted suffered greater damage.

Features Of Building Code

The revised building code requires specific tests for any masonry that is used to construct new buildings. Brick walls must meet specifications for facing, bonding and distance between headers. Masonry must be tested using an in-place shear test that displaces a single brick, then applies weight and checks for movement. Wall anchors are tested and must pass code requirements, and embedded wall bolts are inspected periodically.

The Need For Retrofitting

Recent earthquakes in California have provided evidence of how efficient the new building codes are when it comes to construction and retrofitting. However, there are still many older buildings in California that have not been retrofitted, and it is up to the owners to do so. If you aren't sure if the building you work or live in has been retrofitted, ask your landlord, advises the Southern California Earthquake Center.

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

But since America has a socialist government, there's probably no money for that.

Huh?

Stay safe, muman.

[Joe Gutfeld]

I survived the earthquake and all I got was this lousy t-shirt!

[IsraelForever]

Sorry this had to happen to you.  So happy you're okay B H.  (To blame it on Libs in California is just plain stupidity.)

[muman613]

Sorry this had to happen to you.  So happy you're okay B H.  (To blame it on Libs in California is just plain stupidity.)

Thanks... I have been on edge since last Sunday morning... There are still micro-earthquakes (after-shocks) occurring today (I can't feel them because I am 80 miles away at work during the day)...

[Binyamin Yisrael]

Did you say the bracha on Earthqukes? Did you say HaGomel afterwards?

I felt an Earthquake on the East Coast (the one that caused damage to the Washington Monument) but I didn't realize it was an Earthquake at first so I thought it was too late to say the bracha. It's the same bracha you say for lightning, seeing large rivers, and Birkat HaChama.

[Binyamin Yisrael]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Virginia_earthquake

I just got back from Israel that day and the next week there was Hurricane Irene. If I was coming back a week later, the plane would be delayed. The last time I went Israel was in the Winter of 2013 and if I had come back the week later, I think the snow would have caused delays.

[muman613]

Did you say the bracha on Earthqukes? Did you say HaGomel afterwards?

I felt an Earthquake on the East Coast (the one that caused damage to the Washington Monument) but I didn't realize it was an Earthquake at first so I thought it was too late to say the bracha. It's the same bracha you say for lightning, seeing large rivers, and Birkat HaChama.

I did not know. I don't think that HaGomel is required. I posted about HaGomel a couple weeks ago and what I saw did not say anything about earthquakes. I will ask my rabbi about it though...

[muman613]

Found this from Rabbi Mansours 'Daily Halacha' site:

http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?PageIndex=36&ClipID=2197

Is There a Beracha That One Recites During an Earthquake?

If a person experiences an earthquake, is there a Beracha that he must recite?

The Mishna in Masechet Berachot (54) writes that one who experiences “Zeva’ot” recites the Beracha of “Baruch Ata Hashem…Ose Ma’ase Bereshit.” Rashi, based on the Gemara, explains the word “Zeva’ot” as referring to earthquakes. Accordingly, Maran rules in the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 227:1) that when experiencing an earthquake one recites the Beracha of “Ose Ma’ase Bereshit.” This Halacha is also mentioned by Maharam Ibn Habib (Israel, 1654-1696), in a responsum cited by the Hid”a (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), in his Birkeh Yosef (227).

The Petah Ha’debir (Rabbi Haim Pontremoli, Turkey, early 18th century) noted that in his area, when an earthquake struck, people did not recite the Beracha of “Ose Ma’ase Bereshit,” and instead recited the verse “Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokenu Hashem Ehad.” He writes that presumably, people were simply not in the frame of mind during an earthquake to recite the Beracha required by Halacha, and instinctively recited “Shema Yisrael.” Halachically speaking, however, one should certainly recite the Beracha of “Ose Ma’ase Bereshit.”

If an earthquake is followed by aftershocks, does one recite a Beracha over each aftershock, or does the Beracha recited over the initial tremor cover the subsequent quakes, as well?

The Halacha in this case resembles the law concerning the Berachot over thunder and lightning. If a person recited the Berachot during a thunderstorm, and then the storm passed, the sun came out, and things returned to normal, he would recite the Berachot anew if another storm then hits and he sees lightning and hears thunder. In the case of an earthquake, too, if a person recovered and regained his bearings after the quake, resuming his normal routine, and then he experiences an aftershock, he should recite the Beracha again. If, however, the aftershock occurs while he is still reeling from the initial tremor, then he does not repeat the Beracha.

The Gemara and Yerushalmi give several reasons for why earthquakes occur. Leaving aside the seismological causes, our Sages pointed to several factors on account of which God will cause the earth to shake. Notably, one of the reasons given in the Yerushalmi (Berachot, chapter 9) is the legalization of Mishkab Zachur (same-gender relationships). The institutionalizing of this perverse behavior, the Sages teach, causes the earth to tremble. Although we never truly know God’s calculations, it is hard to ignore the fact that recently, an earthquake was felt by millions of people across the East Coast of the United States – a very rare event – just a few short months after this perversion was given formal legalization in New York.

In any event, it is certainly clear that the advent of an earthquake should inspire us to redouble our efforts to repent and grow in our Torah observance.

Summary: If one experiences an earthquake, he should recite the Beracha of “Ose Ma’ase Bereshit.” If aftershocks occur after he had already recovered and moved on from the initial quake, then he should recite the Beracha again. The occurrence of an earthquake should be taken as a “wakeup call” to repentance and renewed efforts to grow spiritually.

[muman613]

As Rabbi Mansour stated, the sages did believe that Earthquakes can be sent as punishment for the sins of sexual perversion. I have a problem with that opinion when I look at the map of earthquakes around the world. Many, many earthquakes occur in places where homosexuality is outlawed or shunned, thus how can earthquakes be correlated with homosexual activity?

[Binyamin Yisrael]

The Gemara and Yerushalmi give several reasons for why earthquakes occur. Leaving aside the seismological causes, our Sages pointed to several factors on account of which God will cause the earth to shake. Notably, one of the reasons given in the Yerushalmi (Berachot, chapter 9) is the legalization of Mishkab Zachur (same-gender relationships). The institutionalizing of this perverse behavior, the Sages teach, causes the earth to tremble. Although we never truly know God’s calculations, it is hard to ignore the fact that recently, an earthquake was felt by millions of people across the East Coast of the United States – a very rare event – just a few short months after this perversion was given formal legalization in New York.

According to this, San Francisco got Earthquake because of the homos. Sodom and Amorah were also on a fault line. An Earthquake was part of the destruction.

Hurricane Katrina was caused by three human behaviors: the Destruction of Gush Katif (LA is between TX, the home state of GWB, and MS, the home state of Congoleeza Rice), a homosexual parade planned in New Orleans, and the evil black voodoo culture of the city.

[Binyamin Yisrael]

Israel is on a fault line just like the one in Southern California. Eventually the Red Sea will expand North all the way to the Northern tip of the Syrian-African Rift Valley and will be a new ocean. The Atlantic Ocean originally started that way. The Appalachian Mountains are the remnant of the mountains on the Western side of the rift (Comparable to the Judean Mountains in Judea and Samaria). So eventually Israel will have its own ocean separating Western Eretz Yisrael and Eastern Eretz Yisrael. Since this will be millions of years from now, Mashiach will have arrived already and we have the whole area from the Nile to the Euphrates. So the tectonic plates will actually make Israel even larger.

The North American version of the Red Sea is the Gulf of California separating Baja California with the rest of Mexico. Eventually it will expand Northwards moving the West side of the fault line in the US State of California into the Pacific Ocean.

[muman613]

According to this, San Francisco got Earthquake because of the homos. Sodom and Amorah were also on a fault line. An Earthquake was part of the destruction.

Hurricane Katrina was caused by three human behaviors: the Destruction of Gush Katif (LA is between TX, the home state of GWB, and MS, the home state of Congoleeza Rice), a homosexual parade planned in New Orleans, and the evil black voodoo culture of the city.

As I said it is hard to believe that if one looks at the seismic map and notices all the activity in places where there are not many homos...

[Ukrainian Jew]

As I said it is hard to believe that if one looks at the seismic map and notices all the activity in places where there are not many homos...

From my experience most Jewish leaders don't believe superstitious garbage. We are not Muslims, like this guy:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/04/20/iran.promiscuity.earthquakes/
 

[muman613]

From my experience most Jewish leaders don't believe superstitious garbage. We are not Muslims, like this guy:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/04/20/iran.promiscuity.earthquakes/
 

But don't get me wrong UJ, Hashem is in control of every aspect of reality. So there are spiritual causes for every movement of the earth. But it seems that earthquakes are mostly due to the way the earth is formed (by Hashem).

[Every Jew AK47]

Thank you... I indeed thank Hashem for sparing my home from any lasting damage.

Well EJA44, you yourself are staring a major catastrophe in the face. I know you live in the NW corner of the country and there is a huge probability of a catastrophic volcanic eruption and earthquake which will cause a tsunami right off the coast of Washington state.




Yeah, there are plenty of natural disasters in Washington.. It is true Mt Raininer, Glacier Peak and Mt Baker will all probably erupt someday.   WHo knows when?   As far as tsunamis, that won't be a big deal in Washington, as almost no people live on the Washington Coast and all of the population centers are far inland.  The Puget Sound is an extension of the ocean, but is a large inlet and is not tsunami prone.  I lived on the Oregon Coast for 4 years which is tsunami prone, but is still a very remote area with no large population center, unlike large cities like Miami, Tampa, Tokyo or New Orleans, which are tsunami/hurricane prone.

If Mt Rainier erupts it will probably spare Seattle , but wipe out Tacoma.  Some may view this as a bad thing others may just say good riddance to the city.   When Glacier Peak erupts, it can possibly take out Everett.  Both depend on what direction the lahars and lava flow go, which could also direct a major of devastation away from the population centers.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascadia_subduction_zone

Tectonic processes active in the Cascadia subduction zone region include accretion, subduction, deep earthquakes, and active volcanism that has included such notable eruptions as Mount Mazama (Crater Lake) about 7,500 years ago, Mount Meager about 2,350 years ago, and Mount St. Helens in 1980.[1] Major cities affected by a disturbance in this subduction zone would include Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Sacramento, California.[2]

Earthquake Effects[edit]

The Cascadia subduction zone can produce very large earthquakes ("megathrust earthquakes"), magnitude 9.0 or greater, if rupture occurs over its whole area. When the "locked" zone stores up energy for an earthquake, the "transition" zone, although somewhat plastic, can rupture. Great Subduction Zone earthquakes are the largest earthquakes in the world, and can exceed magnitude 9.0. Earthquake magnitude is proportional to area of fault rupture, and the Cascadia Subduction Zone is a very long sloping fault that stretches from mid-Vancouver Island to Northern California. It separates the Juan de Fuca and North American plates. Because of the very large fault area, the Cascadia Subduction Zone could produce a very large earthquake. Thermal and deformation studies indicate that the locked zone is fully locked for 60 kilometers (about 40 miles) downdip from the deformation front. Further downdip, there is a transition from fully locked to aseismic sliding.[6]

In 1999, a group of Continuous Global Positioning System sites registered a brief reversal of motion of approximately 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) over a 50 kilometer by 300 kilometer (about 30 mile by 200 mile) area. The movement was the equivalent of a 6.7 magnitude earthquake.[7] The motion did not trigger an earthquake and was only detectable as silent, non-earthquake seismic signatures.[8]

In 2004, a study conducted by the Geological Society of America analyzed the potential for relative mean sea level rise (cause by subsidence) along the Cascadia subduction zone. It postulated, that cities on the West coast of Vancouver Island (e.g. Tofino and Ucluelet), are at risk for a 1-2m subsidence, relative to mean sea level.[9]

Earthquake timing

The last known great earthquake in the northwest was the 1700 Cascadia earthquake. Geological evidence indicates that great earthquakes may have occurred at least seven times in the last 3,500 years, suggesting a return time of 300 to 600 years. There is also evidence of accompanying tsunamis with every earthquake, and one line of evidence for these earthquakes is tsunami damage, and through Japanese records of tsunamis.[12]

The next rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone is anticipated to be capable of causing widespread destruction throughout the Pacific Northwest.[13]

Other similar subduction zones in the world usually have such earthquakes every 100 to 200 years; the longer interval here may indicate unusually large stress buildup and subsequent unusually large earthquake slip.[14]

San Andreas Fault connection[edit]

Studies of past earthquake traces on both the northern San Andreas Fault and the southern Cascadia subduction zone indicate a correlation in time which may be evidence that quakes on the Cascadia subduction zone may have triggered most of the major quakes on the northern San Andreas during at least the past 3,000 years or so. The evidence also shows the rupture direction going from north to south in each of these time-correlated events. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake seems to have been a major exception to this correlation, however, as it was not preceded by a major Cascadia quake.[15]

Forecasts of the next major earthquake[edit]

Prior to the 1980s, scientists thought that the subduction zone just did not generate earthquakes like the other subduction zones around the world, but research by Brian Atwater and Kenji Satake tied together evidence of large tsunami on the Washington coast with documentation of an orphan tsunami in Japan (a tsunami without an associated earthquake). The two pieces of the puzzle were linked, and they then realized that the subduction zone was more hazardous than previously suggested. The feared next major earthquake has some geologists predicting a 10% to 14% probability that the Cascadia Subduction Zone will produce an event of magnitude 9 or higher in the next 50 years;[16] however, the most recent studies suggest that this risk could be as high as 37% for earthquakes of magnitude 8 or higher.[17][18]

Geologists and civil engineers have broadly determined that the Pacific Northwest region is not well prepared for such a colossal earthquake. The tsunami produced may reach heights of approximately 30 meters (100 ft).[19] The earthquake is expected to be similar to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, as the rupture is expected to be as long as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

[Ukrainian Jew]

But don't get me wrong UJ, Hashem is in control of every aspect of reality. So there are spiritual causes for every movement of the earth. But it seems that earthquakes are mostly due to the way the earth is formed (by Hashem).

See now that makes sense. I'm pretty sure women putting on makeup don't cause plate movements, unless you're one of the same barbarians that believes in "halal".

[muman613]

See now that makes sense. I'm pretty sure women putting on makeup don't cause plate movements, unless you're one of the same barbarians that believes in "halal".

Yes, you are correct... But Jewish women should practice 'Tzniut' or 'modesty' and not try to sell themselves as pieces of meat (as many in todays secular society do)... There is a balance in Judaism (we don't force women to be tzniut, but a woman who is modest is held in high regard). Also men should not engage in 'looking' at women as it is not good for the soul (it leads one to have thoughts which lead to sin).

There are serious differences between Judaism and Islam but the concepts are similar. A man is not permitted to rape a woman because she was not dressed appropriately, but a woman should be ashamed to be showing off her body (intending to cause men to sin).

I don't believe that Earthquakes are directly tied to immoral behavior... But everything every person alive does has an influence on the unfolding of time...

Also it is not clear to me what you mean 'believe in halal'? According to my understanding 'Halal' means food which is fit for a muslim to eat, much like we have Kosher food for Jews.

UJ, I take it you are not religious (or even anti-religious)?

[Ephraim Ben Noach]

Sodom and Gomorrah?

[muman613]

Sodom and Gomorrah?

It was not an earthquake according to the narrative... It was destroyed by 'Fire and Brimstone' from heaven.

Genesis 19:

24. And the Lord caused to rain down upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire, from the Lord, from heaven.
25. And He turned over these cities and the entire plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and the vegetation of the ground

[Ukrainian Jew]

Yes, you are correct... But Jewish women should practice 'Tzniut' or 'modesty' and not try to sell themselves as pieces of meat (as many in todays secular society do)... There is a balance in Judaism (we don't force women to be tzniut, but a woman who is modest is held in high regard). Also men should not engage in 'looking' at women as it is not good for the soul (it leads one to have thoughts which lead to sin).

There are serious differences between Judaism and Islam but the concepts are similar. A man is not permitted to rape a woman because she was not dressed appropriately, but a woman should be ashamed to be showing off her body (intending to cause men to sin).

I don't believe that Earthquakes are directly tied to immoral behavior... But everything every person alive does has an influence on the unfolding of time...

Also it is not clear to me what you mean 'believe in halal'? According to my understanding 'Halal' means food which is fit for a muslim to eat, much like we have Kosher food for Jews.

UJ, I take it you are not religious (or even anti-religious)?

First of all, I have pretty strong faith in Hashem. I've been to the local Beis Aharon V'Yisrael Synagogue here several times, but I am Conservative, not Orthodox, so I don't attend regularly. Unfortunately there are no Conservative synagogues near me.

Second, since Communism the Jewish community in Ukraine (except for the reformed) have had a hard time maintaining traditions, and my mother says she does not know as much about Judaism as her parents because of Communist repression, like when her religious school was closed down. Yes, I don't know as much as I should and that is a problem. But I am a Jew, I proudly identify as one, I believe in one true God, I pray and worship, I celebrate Jewish holidays with my relatives, and I fully abide by a Kosher diet.

Third, who in their right mind would compare Kosher with the barbaric, savage butchery known as "Halal"? Halal refers to the way in which animals are tortured to death, not "killed". It is disgusting bloodletting which does not belong in the Western world.

http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2013/11/03/some-differences-between-kosher-meat-and-halal-meat-thank-g-d-i-keep-kosher/

[muman613]

First of all, I have pretty strong faith in Hashem. I've been to the local Beis Aharon V'Yisrael Synagogue here several times, but I am Conservative, not Orthodox, so I don't attend regularly. Unfortunately there are no Conservative synagogues near me.

Second, since Communism the Jewish community in Ukraine (except for the reformed) have had a hard time maintaining traditions, and my mother says she does not know as much about Judaism as her parents because of Communist repression, like when her religious school was closed down. Yes, I don't know as much as I should and that is a problem. But I am a Jew, I proudly identify as one, I believe in one true God, I pray and worship, I celebrate Jewish holidays with my relatives, and I fully abide by a Kosher diet.

Third, who in their right mind would compare Kosher with the barbaric, savage butchery known as "Halal"? Halal refers to the way in which animals are tortured to death, not "killed". It is disgusting bloodletting which does not belong in the Western world.

http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2013/11/03/some-differences-between-kosher-meat-and-halal-meat-thank-g-d-i-keep-kosher/

I know that it has been hard for families in Ukraine and Russia to keep their faith and traditions. This is not your fault. But now that you are free you should invest time and effort in learning the tenets of the Jewish faith. I was raised in a 'Conservative' Jewish home and after years of being 'off the path' (in my 20s-30s) I returned and associate with Orthodox Judaism.

There are many resources available to Jews who are interested in learning. I would recommend Chabad, Aish.com, TorahAnyTime, Torah.org, among many other great sites.

Regarding Halal vs Kosher. I agree. It just was not clear to me what you meant by 'believe in Halal'.

Also, as something to think about, there really is no such thing as 'Reform' or 'Conservative' as these are man-made distinctions. Judaism is really all-encompassing and false divisions such as reform and conservative serve no good purpose but to allow some Jews to transgress and feel like they don't transgress (as the reform have totally removed all commandments from the religion)... I would recommend you try to hook up with an Orthodox minyan (even if you cannot keep all the commandments) because Conservative is sliding towards the same errors reform has made.

[Ukrainian Jew]

I know that it has been hard for families in Ukraine and Russia to keep their faith and traditions. This is not your fault. But now that you are free you should invest time and effort in learning the tenets of the Jewish faith. I was raised in a 'Conservative' Jewish home and after years of being 'off the path' (in my 20s-30s) I returned and associate with Orthodox Judaism.

There are many resources available to Jews who are interested in learning. I would recommend Chabad, Aish.com, TorahAnyTime, Torah.org, among many other great sites.

Regarding Halal vs Kosher. I agree. It just was not clear to me what you meant by 'believe in Halal'.

Also, as something to think about, there really is no such thing as 'Reform' or 'Conservative' as these are man-made distinctions. Judaism is really all-encompassing and false divisions such as reform and conservative serve no good purpose but to allow some Jews to transgress and feel like they don't transgress (as the reform have totally removed all commandments from the religion)... I would recommend you try to hook up with an Orthodox minyan (even if you cannot keep all the commandments) because Conservative is sliding towards the same errors reform has made.

I'll try to from now on, it's just that it's kind of hard with the lack of Jewish educational centers that aren't bolshevized.