Earthquakes Are A Small Trial of Preparedness
There was a 6.9 earthquake at Valparaiso, Chile, yesterday. A 5.9 hit the same area the day before. I've noticed that unless there is a lot of destruction, big earthquakes are usually not reported by the general media. I lived in Chile for 6 years when I was a youth. Quakes in the 6-range are not uncommon. Yes, there is some damage, but the people are used to it and most construction can easily take these quakes. It's when the earthquake breaks into the mid to upper 7 and higher magnitudes when the damage really happens.
However, if you remember from August and October 2016, Italy was struck by 6.2 and 6.6 M earthquakes and it basically leveled some towns. They aren't used to it.
If Salt Lake City had a 5-range magnitude earthquake it would not only be all over local news, but it would probably hit national news as well.
In the past 30 days there have been 9 earthquakes of magnitude 5.1 or larger in the following areas: Chile (3 quakes), Philippines (2 quakes), Botswana, Iran, South Africa, and Russia. Five of the nine were above a 6 magnitude. Three were outside the ring of fire.
Supposedly there are on average 1,000 to 1,500 magnitude 5.0 to 5.9 earthquakes around the world each year. The 6-range quakes average 100 to 150 each year. Earthquakes in the 7-range average 10 to 20. An earthquake that breaks into the 8-range magnitude usually happens at least once per year.
Most people are surprised at how many "big" earthquakes there are. But most quakes either hit in low/no population areas, or they happen in places where people have become accustomed to the earthquakes and have built structures to withstand the shaking.
Because "big" earthquakes haven't happened in Utah in the recent past, most people don't act as if a big earthquake will really happen. Sure, they may believe a "big one" is coming, but they don't really believe it will happen. Or, maybe they think there will be sufficient warning to prepare for it.
There may be a warning. There may be signs. But, what if you miss the warning (if there is one)? And even if you do heed the warning, you can expect others to do the same and there could a mad rush on food, fuel, bottled water, and supplies. It's much better to be prepared before.
For those of us who are parents, what are you going to tell your children when the power is out, the water isn't running, and there isn't any food or way to prepare the food? How do you explain to your child that entertainment, sports, frequently eating out, electronics, gaming, clothing, excessive screen time, etc. were all more important than to follow the counsels of the prophets to become prepared?
Do you really want your children to see that you run to the government, or your neighbors, for help when you could have spent at least some time and money getting better prepared? What does that teach?
Politicians love the idea that people will run to them (the government) for assistance. It means the government has control and power over you and your family. It means you are dependent on them, and in an emergency you will do what they ask you to do.
Wouldn't it be better if your children saw that you are the one in the position to help others, that you are self-sufficient enough to provide and protect your own family.
Wouldn't it be better to involve your children in the various preparations so they can know that it is important to you to follow the counsels of the prophets?
A big earthquake along the Wasatch Front would only be a small test of preparedness.
The real tests of preparedness will come in the form of devastating plagues and war.
However, if you remember from August and October 2016, Italy was struck by 6.2 and 6.6 M earthquakes and it basically leveled some towns. They aren't used to it.
If Salt Lake City had a 5-range magnitude earthquake it would not only be all over local news, but it would probably hit national news as well.
In the past 30 days there have been 9 earthquakes of magnitude 5.1 or larger in the following areas: Chile (3 quakes), Philippines (2 quakes), Botswana, Iran, South Africa, and Russia. Five of the nine were above a 6 magnitude. Three were outside the ring of fire.
Supposedly there are on average 1,000 to 1,500 magnitude 5.0 to 5.9 earthquakes around the world each year. The 6-range quakes average 100 to 150 each year. Earthquakes in the 7-range average 10 to 20. An earthquake that breaks into the 8-range magnitude usually happens at least once per year.
Most people are surprised at how many "big" earthquakes there are. But most quakes either hit in low/no population areas, or they happen in places where people have become accustomed to the earthquakes and have built structures to withstand the shaking.
Because "big" earthquakes haven't happened in Utah in the recent past, most people don't act as if a big earthquake will really happen. Sure, they may believe a "big one" is coming, but they don't really believe it will happen. Or, maybe they think there will be sufficient warning to prepare for it.
There may be a warning. There may be signs. But, what if you miss the warning (if there is one)? And even if you do heed the warning, you can expect others to do the same and there could a mad rush on food, fuel, bottled water, and supplies. It's much better to be prepared before.
For those of us who are parents, what are you going to tell your children when the power is out, the water isn't running, and there isn't any food or way to prepare the food? How do you explain to your child that entertainment, sports, frequently eating out, electronics, gaming, clothing, excessive screen time, etc. were all more important than to follow the counsels of the prophets to become prepared?
Do you really want your children to see that you run to the government, or your neighbors, for help when you could have spent at least some time and money getting better prepared? What does that teach?
Politicians love the idea that people will run to them (the government) for assistance. It means the government has control and power over you and your family. It means you are dependent on them, and in an emergency you will do what they ask you to do.
Wouldn't it be better if your children saw that you are the one in the position to help others, that you are self-sufficient enough to provide and protect your own family.
Wouldn't it be better to involve your children in the various preparations so they can know that it is important to you to follow the counsels of the prophets?
A big earthquake along the Wasatch Front would only be a small test of preparedness.
The real tests of preparedness will come in the form of devastating plagues and war.
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