One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
How will a major earthquake shake out in SoCal?
A member of the Federal Police's rescue team searches for survivors in Juchitan de Zaragoza, Mexico, on September 9, 2017 after a powerful earthquake struck Mexico's Pacific coast.
(
PEDRO PARDO/AFP/Getty Images
)
What will happen when the Big One hits? Earthquake scientists gathered in Palm Springs this week to discuss that exact topic.
They weren't focused on predicting future earthquakes — scientists still don't know much about that — but on all the different ways a temblor might shake out.
Geotechnical earthquake engineer Christine Goulet says forecasting involves using historical records and earthquake modeling.
"We're well known for using supercomputers to perform ground-motion simulations. And we've performed thousands of them. And then we go and cross-check with that data that was recorded to make sure we can explain the physics," she told KPCC.
Goulet says the data is all informing how new structures are being built in Southern California —and how old buildings might be fixed.
She is also the Executive Science Director at USC's Southern California Earthquake Center, which held the conference.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
