

So, while rain has triggered earthquakes elsewhere in the world, could it happen in California?Ī side by side image shows the earth cracking due to earthquake and heavy rainfall. It found that 74.9 percent of earthquakes in China where accompanied with rainfall.īut Wdowinski told Newsweek, that while "heavy rain can trigger earthquake activity," this only occurs "in certain tectonic environments, not anywhere." This interest was prompted following an incredibly destructive magnitude 7.0 earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010-about 18 months after torrential rainfall hit the region during a procession of hurricanes and prolonged heavy rain.Ī similar situation occurred in Taiwan in 2009, when a magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurred seven months after a typhoon.įocusing on Taiwan, Wdowinski's research concluded that large earthquakes were five times more likely to happen following severe storms.Ī study published in 2021, by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, also found a strong correlation between earthquakes over a magnitude of 6, and rainfall. Shimon Wdowinski, a professor at the Department of Earth and Environment at Florida International University, has studied the topic extensively after assessing links between storms and earthquakes in 2010. These plates remain relatively static, meaning large pressures build up over time, sometime leading to highly destructive earthquakes.Īnd, intense rain has triggered earthquakes in the past, in other parts of the world. The state is extremely tectonically active due to the San Andreas Fault-the border section between two massive tectonic plates under the Earth's surface. Parts of the state have seen one of the wettest periods since the 1800s.Īnd, some of the other regions, such as San Francisco, have received over 12 inches of rain in the past 15 days, the National Weather Service reported.īut, could this heavy rain cause an earthquake? U.S.California has experienced torrential rainfall in recent days.Resources for People With Disabilities (Earthquake Country Alliance).Earthquake Preparedness: What Every Childcare Provider Should Know (PDF).Earthquake Safety Video Series (Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills).
#Earthquakes in california how to

Being prepared allows you to avoid unnecessary excursions and to address minor medical issues at home, alleviating the burden on urgent care centers and hospitals.Make a supply kit that includes enough food and water for several days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher and a whistle. Make an Emergency Plan: Create a family emergency communications plan that has an out-of-state contact.Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with family and coworkers.Leaders in Business Community Resilience.Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents.
