USGS Seismic Hazard Maps Explained
The United States is a country with high seismic activity due to its geographic location in the subduction zone of the North American and Pacific plates. The San Andreas and Wasatch faults also contribute to seismic activity in the country.
If you want to know more information about the earthquakes in the USA today, Sunday, January 14, such as the time, epicenter and magnitude, check the live updates from the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS is an agency of the US federal government that is responsible for collecting, studying and analyzing information about natural hazards. The agency publishes daily reports on the latest earthquakes recorded in the North American country, in addition to providing prevention advice and safety recommendations to keep the population alert.
The National Center for Seismic Information (CNIS) records around 20,000 earthquakes a year around the world, which is equivalent to about 55 earthquakes a day. Thanks to improved communications and increased interest in natural disasters, the public now learns about earthquakes faster than ever thanks to live coverage such as Gestión Mix.
According to the USGS, looking at long-term records (since around 1900), about 16 major earthquakes are expected each year. This includes 15 earthquakes of magnitude 7 and one of magnitude 8.0 or higher. In the last 40-50 years, records show that the long-term average for large earthquakes has been exceeded on a dozen occasions.
The year with the highest number of earthquakes was 2010, with 23 severe earthquakes (magnitude equal to or greater than 7.0). In other years, the total was well below the long-term annual average of 16 severe earthquakes. In 1989 only 6 serious earthquakes occurred and in 1988 only 7. For this reason, it is important to be prepared for an eventual episode of large-magnitude seismicity.
If you are in the United States and an earthquake occurs, it is important that you know how to act to protect yourself and your loved ones. Below, I provide you with some recommendations based on the information provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS):
– Stay calm and find a safe place: Find a safe place where you can protect yourself from falling objects. If you’re indoors, lean against a wall or under a strong desk or table. If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings, poles and electrical wires.
– Turn off the power and close the water and gas shut-off valves: If possible, turn off the electrical power and close the water and gas shut-off valves to prevent leaks and short circuits.
– If you are driving, stop in a safe place: If you are driving in a tunnel, bridge or highway, reduce speed and stop after leaving the area.
– Keep an emergency kit: Prepare an emergency kit that contains basic supplies for survival for 72 hours. Some items you could include are water, canned food, energy bars, manual can opener, flashlights, batteries, portable radio with extra batteries, first aid kit, medications, and glasses. Consider the needs of children, the elderly, and the disabled.
– Make a family emergency plan: Create a family emergency plan and practice it regularly. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to act in the event of an earthquake and how to communicate with each other.
With these preparations and safety measures in place, individuals and families can be better equipped to handle the potential impact of earthquakes in the United States.