What is the likelihood of another earthquake hitting Los Angeles?
Well, a magnitude 4.2 earthquake hit the Los Angeles area Thursday, July 30, 2020. This strong earthquake, which centered near San Fernando, struck at 4:29 am. You may be wondering, will seismic activity continue after an earthquake hits? In this case, subsequent aftershocks continued with a 3.3 quake at 4:38 am and a 3.8 quake at 6:48 am.
Why do these earthquakes keep happening?
Just two weeks prior to this earthquake hitting, we described how a new study published explained that the 2019 Ridgecrest, CA earthquake brought the Garlock Fault much closer to a rupture. And what happens if the Garlock Fault ruptures? Because the Garlock Fault sits within 30 miles of a junction with the San Andreas Fault, it may contribute to a much larger quake along the more volatile San Andreas Fault.
What does this mean? Essentially, this means that the odds of a large earthquake along the San Andreas Fault have tripled! And, as you may know, the San Andreas fault comes within 35 miles of downtown Los Angeles and is capable of unleashing a “megaquake” in our lifetime!
What can homeowners do to protect their homes from earthquakes?
You may be wondering, will more earthquakes occur? Little did anyone know that on July 30, 2020 at 4:30 am, we were all jolted out of bed by a thunderous 4.2 earthquake and aftershocks coming from Pacoima, California experience catastrophic structural failures that will threaten life and property.
Our clients tell us that they don’t really want to take a chance on the next “Big One”, and as such, they have used us since 1977 to successfully retrofit their greater Los Angeles area homes!
Is it recommended to earthquake retrofit homes?
Many sources recommend earthquake retrofitting. For example, the Los Angeles Times recently recommended for homeowners to hire earthquake retrofitting experts to help homeowners evaluate how to best secure their homes to their foundations, so the homes don’t slide off during an earthquake!
A recent Los Angeles Times article further cautioned that “A $4,000 retrofit job now could head off a $400,000 repair job after the earthquake.”
The earthquake retrofitting professionals at Weinstein Construction have put a price freeze on our earthquake retrofitting services (while our competitors raised their prices!) We want to make retrofitting even more affordable to all homeowners! Be prepared for the next time an earthquake hits Los Angeles and schedule a free, no-obligation inspection of your property by calling 818-855-5752. Be prepared and have peace of mind when the next “Big One” hits!
