CSUB professor urges Kern County to plan ahead and follow drop, cover and hold on guidance

Key Points:

• A recent study highlights that the southern San Andreas and San Jacinto faults in Southern California are experiencing some of the highest stress levels in a millennium, potentially increasing the risk of a major earthquake involving multiple faults.
• CSUB associate professor Matthew Herman emphasized that stress buildup along faults is a statewide issue, with earthquakes capable of striking on lesser-known faults, as demonstrated by the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake.
• The study notes that these faults have not ruptured significantly in over 160 years, raising concerns about the likelihood of a large, multi-fault earthquake in the near future.
• Herman advised that earthquake preparedness should extend beyond proximity to well-known faults, as even smaller quakes near one's location can cause substantial damage.
• He also cautioned against common misconceptions during earthquakes, recommending seeking cover and holding on rather than standing in doorways, and stressed the importance of having a preparedness plan despite improvements in building codes and construction.