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Address: 1707 Eye St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 Member Since: May 14, 2007 Last Signed In: November 19, 2009 Profile Views: 2906 Blog Views: 186741 Bakersfield not so giving, magazine says Secret menus at Bakersfield restaurants Videos galore of local marching bands Shocker: Bakersfield not safe for pedestrians Does Ryan Mathews deserve Heisman consideration? Bakersfield man with colorful record in middle of billion-dollar Chevron dispute Mobile haiku puts Bakersfield in new light Songs do more than namedrop Bakersfield Pedro Martinez taken back to his Bakersfield Dodger days Fresno piles on the hate for Bakersfield May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 Submit your local links to bakosphere@bakersfield.com. Bakersfield Observed CompuDave greener bakersfield 
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Simulation suggests major SoCal quake could maintain intensity on way to Bakersfield
A powerful earthquake in the Palm Springs area could create seismic waves that retain their intensity as far as Bakersfield and the southern Central Coast, a science-visualization project suggests. The simulation attempts to simulate the far-reaching impact of a 7.8-magnitude quake in Southern California. Rather than seeing the intensity weaken as seismic waves spread from the epicenter, the simulation from the San Diego Supercomputer Center and Southern California Earthquake Center suggests the energy from a so-called "Big One" quake could magnify strength as it moves outward through soft-sediment. The simulation forecasts intense shockwaves traveling north and west through soft sediment along the San Andreas Fault, and traveling through Bakersfield. The screen grab to the left -- from an interesting package Wired Magazine put together to recognize the best science-visualization videos of 2009 -- shows the waves hitting Bakersfield minutes after the initial jolt. The groups used 12 terrabytes of quake data to create their model. 5 comments from 4 users
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posted by
catpaw
on Oct 13, 2009 at 08:09 AM
One train of thought is quakes in one part of a fault line will create strain in another. Seems to have validity when one notices that the LA quake followed the Bay Area quake in SF. One of the more intriguing researches I've heard of is instruments that monitor sound waves on the premise that animals get agitated before a quake occurs, as they can detect sound people can't. Few animals were killed in Indonesia because they ran to higher ground in a panic before the catastrophe occurred. We've had a "biggy" in SF, followed by another in LA. Does this mean the central valley is next? posted by
NYtransplant
on Oct 13, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Holy samiko. That's why when I purchased our home in Bakersfield, I chose a single story home and checked that the builder used good anti-earthquake measures on the stucture. We lived in the old riverbed, however, which means we might be doomed anyway due to the soft soil which aggravates liquefaction. I still have to purchase and install an earthquake automatic gas shutoff valve, which costs around $200, but well worth the price to protect your house from fire when an earthquake does happen. I am definately going to have mine put in soon after seeing this article. posted by
NYtransplant
on Oct 13, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Catpaw, since the the first earthquake occured in SF then later in LA, it seems the stress drove past Bakersfield and the central valley like most people visiting the state do. But we do have a local fault line(white wolf), which I guess could became triggered by the big one and make matters worse locally for us here. By the way, have you seen the San Andreas fault at the Carrizo plains? It's impressive. It's only about 50 miles from here... Yikes! posted by
CatherineBaker
on Oct 13, 2009 at 08:41 AM
I've felt a few of the California quakes over the years, and what I find interesting about them is how they are different. Some are rolling waves, like bobbing up and down on the sea, and some are more of a jarring, teeth-rattling shaking. Thanks for reminding me what the name of our local fault line is, NYtransplant. I was trying to remember it the other day. posted by
jmabbott888
on Oct 14, 2009 at 07:02 PM
unfortunately the plate we are on is under the one towards LA & SF so those won't necessarily slide into the ocean.... but hey I can always hope lol
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