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MyspaceWednesday evening, two small earthquakes shook the seabed seven miles west of Isla Vista. Both microquakes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), were less than 3.0 in magnitude and occurred virtually in the same location.
The first tremor, measuring 2.5 on the Richter scale, struck at 7:29 p.m. at a depth of 6.8 miles under the earth’s crust. The second, measuring 2.9, occurred at 9:30 p.m. at a depth of 4.1 miles.
Although the microquakes were felt by a number of Santa Barbarans, no damage or injuries were reported.
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It was a quick jolt (the 9:30 episode), I thoght 1 of our cats was jumping from 1 rafter to the other like they usually do in our studio. The snowboards rattled, that was about it, nothing too exciting, thank God. I didn't even know it was a quake until they mentioned it on the news. :) henry
hank (anonymous profile)
March 11, 2010 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's coming, not to be a damp rag or anything. But seriously, we've had lots of big quakes around the globe recently, and it would be foolish to think we're not in line for one. From what I understand, we're about 30 years PAST due. Get some extra water and canned food handy, as well as batteries and first aid stuff. Update your earthquake kit. We had one around Y2K, but the water all leaked out, and the rats got our dry goods. I'm saying this for myself as well as others: get it together now.
crissyslucky7 (anonymous profile)
March 12, 2010 at 4:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Pacific Plate is moving, stand-by for he many more to come. Kind of like the Movie 2012!
dou4now (anonymous profile)
March 14, 2010 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are a number of known faults in close proximity to Isla Vista, each one capable of delivering a M7+ quake should it slip along its entire length. There are undoubtedly more faults in the region which have not been discovered... it was a previously unknown fault which caused the1994 M6.7 Northridge Earthquake, which killed dozens and caused $30 billion in damage. There will be a strong quake in the region; we just do not know when. It could happen in the next 10 minutes, or 10 days, or we may have to wait for 30 years.
In addition to crissyslucky's sound advice above, remember the old adage: "Earthquakes do not kill people, but buildings do".... more specifically, buildings that are inadequately designed, older structures not up to seismic code, or those which have been constructed by contractors who have cut corners in order to maximize profits. These are the buildings which are most likely to kill people when an earthquake happens.
There are many places I would not like to be when a major earthquake hits.... and any one of the numerous apartment buildings used for student accommodation in IV would be one of the *VERY LAST PLACES* I would wish to be inside when a large quake hits. Many of these buildings were given exemption from seismic regulations when UCSB rapidly expanded several decades ago, and during each term time, there are thousands of students living in these structures.
Isla Vista is one of the most densely populated areas within the U.S., with 10s of thousands crammed into the two square mile community. A sizable proportion live in apartment buildings which *WILL FAIL* when the next large quake strikes, crushing and most likely killing the occupants, just like what happened to the Northridge Meadows Apartments.
Incidentally, there was a moderate M5.8 quake in 1978, which did considerable damage to the UCSB campus. Most of the aforementioned "jerry rigged" apartment buildings withstood that jolt. However, the Richter (and other) earthquake energy measurement scales are exponential: to put it in simple and approximate terms: a M6 releases 10x the energy of a M5, and a M7 release 10x the energy of a M6.
If there was a M7 nearby, most IV apartment blocks will collapse, and if it was during the termtime, thousands may die.
You have been warned.
bloggulator (anonymous profile)
March 18, 2010 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)