Multi-Hazard - LA

Question 1

What are the hazards that LA face?

Answer 1

Earthquakes
Tsunamis
Bushfires

Question 2

Why are earthquakes an issue for LA?

Answer 2

On San Andreas fault line
Most recent ocurred in January 1994, focusing in the Northridge area.
Registered 6.7 on the Richter scale
Killed 60 people
Injured several thousand
Buildings and infrastructure damaged
Fires following a gas leak and explosion in the Granada Hills area

Question 3

How does LA respond to earthquakes?

Answer 3

Very fatalist approach by public
No political will to fund complete universal structural improvements, since the tax raise required to fund the development would be tantamount to political suicide.
What can be done at a local government level is to legislate for new buildings and developments. All new high rise buildings must be designed to withstand earthquakes.

Question 4

How do tsunamis effect LA?

Answer 4

The 1964 Alaskan earthquake caused considerable damage in several Californian regions.
Although LA has escaped so far, it is considered to be a tsunami hazard prone area, particularly when the numbers and locations of some of the faults are considered

Question 5

How do wild fires effect LA?

Answer 5

Much of the area is covered by drought resistant chaparral which is a scrub vegetation as the area is too dry for tree growth - after a summer drought this vegetation can become tinder dry
A dry wind called Santa Ana descends from the local mountains which increases dryness of vegetation and allows easy spread of fire
Low density buildings where between have been vegetation growth which allows fire to spread