Written by pkirvan on August 6, 2008 in Emergency Response, Events, Testing.
The Great Southern California ShakeOut, scheduled to start November 13, 2008, is a week of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history. The program has been organized to inspire Southern California residents and businesses to prepare for large earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. The recent 5.4 magnitude earthquake reinforced the importance of such a program.
At 10 a.m. on November 13, 2008, millions of southern Californians will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” This program is being conducted because a major earthquake is considered likely, and the ShakeOut Drill is an opportunity to practice what to do when it happens. Individuals, families, businesses, schools and organizations will join firefighters, police officers, and other emergency responders (involved in the statewide “Golden Guardian” exercise) in California’s largest-ever earthquake preparedness activity.
ShakeOut is based on a potential 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the southern San Andreas Fault. This type of earthquake occurs in southern California every 150 years on average, and the last was 151 years ago. Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey has led a group of over 200 scientists, engineers, and others to study the likely consequences of such an earthquake in great detail.
The ShakeOut Scenario estimates this earthquake will cause some 2,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in damage and other losses, and severe, long-lasting disruptions.
For some unsettling video of the 1995 Kobe, Japan earthquake, see A Lesson in Recovery.
Data Centers are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. This guide offers lots of useful recommendations for Data Processing Facility Earthquake Hazard Mitigation.