Before you decide to join Newt Gingrich’s planned moon colony, consider this: the moon is seismically active. According to scientists at NASA, moonquakes are caused predominantly by the Earth’s tidal pull on the moon. They tend to be smaller than earthquakes (up to magnitude 5) but because they travel through old, cold rock, which doesn’t…
Category Archives: Earthquake
When It’s Raining Cats & Dogs – Caring For Pets in an Evacuation
Our pets depend on us for opening the refrigerator, tossing a ball, and love, among other things. They also rely on us to protect them if an emergency requires us to evacuate our homes. Keep in mind that human shelters cannot take animals, and consider how you can protect your best friend if disaster strikes….
Apocalypse Chow – How to Eat Well When the Power Goes Out
Boy, I wish I’d thought of that title! But the title, like the book it’s attached to, is the brainchild of Jon Robertson with Robin Robertson. Jon, a writer, and his wife Robin, a cookbook author and former chef, share their approach to food preparation for emergencies. Writing from hurricane country, their focus is on…
Homeland Security Asks Us to Use Social Media in an Emergency
This tweet came out this afternoon from @DHSJournal, the twitter account of the Deparment of Homeland Security: Quake: Tell friends/family you are OK via text, email and social media (@twitter & facebook.com). Avoid calls. Never mind the lack of a helpful hash-tag. This government agency clearly understands the uses of social media. When today’s earthquake…
Did You Feel That? The DC/East Coast Quake
What an earthquake feels like is probably the most popular topic on this blog. Everyone wants to know! I’ve written about it before, here: What Does An Earthquake Feel Like? Another View of What an Earthquake Feels Like Guest Post: What the 7.4 New Zealand Earthquake Felt Like Did You Feel That Earthquake? There are…
New Emergency Water Storage
My tap water crosses two of California’s eight major earthquake faults before it arrives in my glass. Though many upgrades have been made, the aqueducts that deliver that water were not built with a major earthquake in mind. If a major earthquake struck right now as I type, the flow of water from the Sierra…
Did You Feel That Earthquake?
Today is the 105th anniversary of the great San Francisco earthquake and fire. I was on the phone this afternoon with my friend Janine Adams, an organizing colleague in St. Louis, when I was interrupted by a sudden fierce jolt and a loud boom — an earthquake. I blurted to Janine something like, “Oh wow,…
Sometimes Preparation Isn’t Enough
I began this blog to help everyone take one or two steps to become just a little better prepared for emergencies. And I still believe in the value of those small steps that help us through life’s catastrophes. But. But what has happened in Japan in the past four days — unimaginably strong 8.9 earthquake;…
Vacationing in Earthquake Country? Pack These Tips
Are you planning a trip to earthquake country? Wondering what to do if you experience an earthquake in an unfamiliar place? Here are a few pointers to help you prepare for that unlikely event. Bring some things from your emergency supplies at home. Here a just a few items to tuck into your carry-0n: A…