Students to face possible earthquake in the near future
The big one is coming. At least that’s what the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA’s) Jet Propulsion Laboratory has predicted. In an article published in September 2015, the organization forecasted a 99.9% chance that the LA region will experience an earthquake of a 5.0 magnitude or above within the next few years.
NASA’s prediction has been disputed by multiple groups in the scientific community, but these groups still accept that there is a significant chance of a powerful earthquake in the near future. However, such a possibility is not a frequent worry for junior Shiv Sompura.
“It’s not really on my mind, it’s more in the back of my thoughts. (It’s) California, we have earthquakes fairly frequently, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it, but I haven’t been through too many major earthquakes so I’m not sure what to expect,” Sompura said.
Joshua Eby, principal, explained that the younger generations that have never experienced a large earthquake often might not think about preparing for one.
“Those of us that were around (for the 1994 Northridge Earthquake) I think are probably a little more prepared because you know I was a high school student when that happened, and there were friends of mine that couldn’t go to their houses for a couple weeks,” Eby said.
In the case of a disaster, it is often difficult to obtain basic necessities so it is essential to prepare resources in advance, such as food and water, for a comfortable survival. Sompura and his family have some basic supplies stored in the event of such a disaster.
“We do have extra water bottles and canned food in case of any emergency, so I think we are prepared in that regard, but for an extended emergency I don’t think we are too prepared,” Sompura said.
Illana Pavon, junior, also has some basic supplies to help her and her family survive a disaster.
“We have MREs (meals ready to eat), we have water stored … that’s basically it, Pavon said.
Eby feels that the school is well prepared for the possibility of an earthquake occurring while classes are in session. He explained that the students are well versed in what to do in the event of a quake, and he feels the campus is actually a good place to be if an earthquake were to occur.
“In California, we have to go through (the) California Department of State Architects for all buildings and structures, so some of the most safe structures (around) are our schools.”
Ultimately, Sompura feels that people in the community do not do enough to prepare for an earthquake.
“I’m not sure I’m able to speak for everyone, but I wouldn’t say that everybody is as ready as they could possibly be for an earthquake,” Sompura said.
Despite having some supplies, Pavon and Sompura both are not sure what their families’ course of action would be in a large earthquake or other disaster.
“We have thought about it, but nothing has ever really been decided on, so no, we don’t really have a plan,” Sompura said.
“If we did (make a plan) I don’t know about it,” Pavon said.
Graphic by Alyssa Boedigheimer/Prowler
