Utah Earthquakes

In this article I’ll cover the following:

• How to visualize an earthquake, especially for those who have never felt one.
• The Triangle of Life, the controversy and my opinions.
• Compelling arguements that we will experience a significant earthquake in Utah sometime soon.

Compelling Arguements Jayce wrote [an excellent post about earthquakes](‘Jason Hall’; ‘Phil Burns’) which included excellent resources and the perfect video below on Utah earthquakes. I couldn’t resist including it again below. If you live in Utah or know somebody who does, watch the video. If you have family or friends that still haven’t started prepping yet, I highly recommend sharing this video with them as it might just encourage them to get started prepping.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DByPiCkznE0[/youtube] Anobody who needs visual proof that disasters are increasing should visit the Emergency Events Database (click on Natural Disasters, then World 1900-2009, then Number of Disasters). Also click on Dis. Types 1900-2008 then Number of Disasters for another interesting graph. If you are reading this, you probably don’t need any more reasons for prepping but maybe somebody you knows needs visual proof. I’m weird. One of the RSS feeds I follow daily is the USGS list of worldwide earthquakes that are 5.0 or greater. To me it is a daily reminder that I need to become better prepared and I like to analyze the patterns. I grew up in California like many of the other authors and I can remember at least four different earthquakes growing up. I also felt a small 3.2 earthquake here in Utah about three years ago. Find more about Utah earthquakes at the USGS site. **The Triangle of Life Controversy The Triangle of Life teaches that “duck and cover” is less effective at saving your life in an earthquake than laying next to a solid object. This teaching has been popularized through a chain email that has been making the rounds on the internet for years. I have heard the Triangle of Life discussed in many preparedness circles. So is it true? Does it really work? Is it better than “duck and cover” which I was taught in school since I was a kid? ** First of all do aGoogle search on Triangle of Life and you’ll quickly discover oppossing views. First we come to Snopes.com, the leading site in whether rumors are true or not, which basically states that you probably want to follow the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency who have publicly opposed Doug Copp’s Triangle of Life idea. Then we visit Wikipedia which states,

** “The Triangle of Life is a controversial theory advocated by Doug Copp about how to survive a major earthquake. It is intended to replace the traditional “drop, cover, and hold on” tactic. Copp recommends that, at the onset of a major earthquake, building occupants should seek shelter near solid items that will provide a protective space, a void or space that could prevent injury or permit survival in the event of a major structural failure — a “pancake collapse”. Such failures are rare in western communities where opponents argue the drop, cover and hold on tactic will prevent the vast majority of gravity-induced injuries that occur more frequently.”**

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xODh0aO-irQ[/youtube] At school growing up we had regular earthquake drills. Going through a ‘mock’ earthquake was a wonderful exercise and it happened regularly. I encourage you to hold a mock earthquake with your family and work. Encourage your schools to do this also. Holding an earthquake drill forces you to discuss risks and develop strategies. This is an extremely helpful scenario planning exercise. Many earthquakes happen at night. Glass, hard soled shoes, clothing to go outside.