Living on Shaky Ground: How To Survive Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Northern California

The new booklet addresses one of the main reasons for the high casualties in the south Asia disaster—simple ignorance of the dangers. It is based on the latest scientific, engineering and sociological research, is written in easy-to-read prose and thoroughly illustrated to make its points clear. The full title is Living on Shaky Ground: How to Survive Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Northern California. It contains tips and information on how to get ready, what to do when disaster strikes and the steps to take to hasten recovery.

The updated version will be distributed as an insert in 38 newspapers in 14 counties, beginning Dec. 6. It also will be given to all students in Humboldt and Del Norte County public schools and made available by many county offices of emergency services, tribes and rancherias, Redwood National and State Parks and the American Red Cross. The Trinity and Colusa County Offices of Education also will have copies.

CEO Glenn Pomeroy of the California Earthquake Authority, which funded the handbook’s development, said his agency is committed to helping California residents recover from damaging earthquakes. “Residents throughout northern California will benefit from this important resource that local members of the California Earthquake Country Alliance worked together to produce,” he said.

Added Jim Goltz, Director of the Earthquake and Tsunami Program for the California Emergency Management Agency, another organization that financed the booklet, “Surviving earthquakes and tsunamis, reducing damage, and quickly restoring the economy are not matters of chance; they depend on personal and community readiness.”

“One of the most important aspects of this publication is the opportunity it provides to generate discussion, culminating in action,” said HSU Geology Chair Lori Dengler, who led the handbook’s preparation. “One of the main things to come out of sociological research is that, before people act, they need to talk things through. It’s a process sociologists call ‘milling,’” Dengler explained. “People are more likely to store food and water, secure their bookshelves, recognize natural warnings of a tsunami and write up a family preparedness plan if they have talked about it with others. So ‘Living on Shaky Ground’ is intended not just to instruct, but to engender discussion and stimulate action. When you’re ready ahead of time, you greatly increase your chances of saving yourself and your family, reducing your losses and helping your community recover faster.”

The booklet zeroes in on basics, including seven easily-remembered tips first introduced in the Southern California and Bay Area publications, “Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country.” The first four sum up how to get ready: identify household (or workplace) hazards in advance (objects likely to topple or fall), learn if you live in a tsunami hazard zone, draw up a preparedness plan and discuss it with family members (say, a shared list of important phone numbers), organize disaster kits (food, water, emergency backpacks) and pinpoint weaknesses (shore up brick chimneys, anchor wood stoves).

Tip five spells out actions to take during an earthquake: indoors, drop, cover, hold (drop to the floor, take cover under a study piece of furniture, hold on to it, slide with it and maintain position until the shaking stops). Outdoors, move to the clearest area and avoid trees, power lines, buildings and vehicles.

The final two steps concern what to do after the shaking stops, including evacuating and staying away from the coast until officials give the all clear. The handbook explains how to recognize the natural warning signs of a tsunami and how to evacuate tsunami hazard zones. It lists insurance options such as earthquake and flood coverage.

Dengler underscores that reliance on the government is not enough when an earthquake or a tsunami hits. “The government is there to assist afterwards, but the definition of a disaster is that normal emergency services are completely overwhelmed,” she said. “The only way you’re going to get immediate help is to be prepared yourself. This is a personal, a neighborhood and a community responsibility.”

Northern California has a long earthquake history. All areas of the region are at risk of large earthquakes that have the capacity to damage buildings, upend roads and utilities and disrupt business. Since 1900, 24 earthquakes have caused damage in the region, an average recurrence of less than five years. Coastal Northern California is also vulnerable to tsunamis generated by large earthquakes both nearby and elsewhere in the Pacific basin.

Additional copies of the booklet may be requested through the Humboldt Earthquake Education Center at Humboldt State University at 707/826-6019 or rctwg@shakyground.edu. The electronic version and supplemental material can be downloaded at http://www.humboldt.edu/shakyground.

HSU’s Humboldt Earthquake Education Center, which distributes educational materials like “Living on Shaky Ground” to schools, the press and the public, is a non-profit unit established in 1985 within HSU’s Department of Geology. The center operates the Humboldt Earthquake Hotline (707/826-6020), a recorded message updated daily about local, regional and worldwide earthquake activity. The center also coordinates regional and state-wide earthquake and tsunami preparedness efforts through its participation with the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group and the Earthquake Country Alliance, which sponsored the recent “Great California ShakeOut,” the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history.

The booklet was overseen by an advisory board representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California Geological Survey (CGS), Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service, Redwood National and State Parks, the California Department of Water Resources, American Red Cross, Yurok tribe, Trinidad Rancheria, with contributions from many members of the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group. The publication is one part of California’s earthquake and tsunami readiness effort. On December 14, the California Emergency Management Agency and California Geological Survey will unveil new tsunami hazard maps for the state.

Readiness exercises include the annual “Great California ShakeOut” drill and the March “Live Code” tsunami warning drill.

Humboldt State University’s friends, family and alumni gave $3.5 million in the last fiscal year. / Humboldt State University

“It was gratifying to see our alumni and friends continue to support HSU, given the state of the economy and trends in higher education,” said Rob Gunsalus, Humboldt State’s Vice President of Advancement, who oversees the University’s fundraising and marketing efforts.

HSU students and programs received $3,538,430 last year. The increase in parental giving can be attributed to a number of factors, including a successful phone-a-thon and expanded communication with parents through an online network and Humboldt magazine. “We are so pleased that parents responded when we reached out to them,” said Gunsalus. “It shows that they appreciate the important work Humboldt State does at a crucial time in their students’ lives.”

In addition to the $3.5 million received, last year the HSU Advancement Foundation distributed more than $640,000 to the campus from its endowment, which was valued at $15.7 million as of June 30, 2009. Those funds went to academic programs across campus including Oceanography and Fisheries, the Schatz Energy Research Center, the performing arts, athletics and scholarships awarded directly to students.

HSU also saw a substantial rise in the amount of grant money received from corporations and foundations, which jumped 40 percent. Gunsalus said the increase is a testament to the quality of HSU’s academic programs and the innovative and important research carried out by faculty every day.

The biggest state funding cuts in Humboldt State’s history are putting unprecedented pressure on its current operations, and donations have a real impact. Last year, gifts supported the new Library Café, new Smart Classroom technology, equipment for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Building and student scholarships, among many other items. “These gifts truly enrich students’ experience here at HSU,” said Laura Jackson, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations.

Donors last year included:
• The Po and Helen Chung Foundation, which gave $50,000 for the George Allen Fish Collection Trust. Po Chung graduated from HSU in 1969 with a degree in fisheries management and went on to co-found the Asia Pacific division of DHL Express.
• Steve Brown, who pledged $53,000 for football scholarships. Brown came to HSU to play football and graduated in 1969. He is now President and CEO of Nexgen Pharma.
• Gifts to the Smullin Scholarship Endowment, which exceeded $1 million. William B. Smullin, pioneer of radio, television, and cable television, established the foundation with the mission to help educate the citizens of northern California and Oregon.
• James Jennings, who gave $25,000 for the Greg Jennings Endowed Scholarship in memory of his son Greg Jennings, a graduate of HSU (‘99 B.S. Botany, and ’03 M.A. Biological Sciences).

“Our donors show real leadership in supporting our mission of providing access to an affordable, high-quality education,” said Jackson. “Gifts like these will have an impact at the University for many years to come.”

The amount of donations received reflects a 1 percent slip from the previous year, but is a solid result compared to the nearly 4 percent average decline projected at colleges and universities nationwide. In fact, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education projects that colleges and universities will see an average decline in giving of 3.9 percent for the 2008-2009 academic year. In that light, HSU’s results are particularly strong.

The alumni giving participation rate, 8.8 percent, fell from a record 10 percent the previous year, but it remains a high point in the University’s fundraising. It is almost double the peer group average and is one of the highest in the California State University system.

Jackson said that this year’s fundraising effort is already showing great promise. Alumni and parent giving are ahead of where they were last year at this time and employee giving has tripled over last year, to $30,000 so far. Humboldt State has also launched a planned giving program, which will help continue the momentum.

For more information about giving at HSU and the Advancement Foundation, visit: http://www.humboldt.edu/giving

There were six other teams of competitors from Cal Poly, Reedley College, Modesto Jr. College, University Nevada Reno, Central Oregon Community College and University of California Berkeley. The team members competed in individual events and team events in the one-day competition held on Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until after nightfall. Numerous competitive events were held including: axe throw, chopping events, dendrology identification, traverse, choker set race, Jack and Jill, single buck, and double buck.

There were over 100 competitors registered in the events of those 100 competitors Humboldt claimed a more than their share of success and awards for the day including: Molly Heuss, 1st, Kelsey McGrath, 2nd, and Jess Engle, 3rd place in women’s tree climb; Merlin Sabo, 2nd and Craig, Bradshaw, 3rd place in men’s tree climb; Josh Kegerreis,2nd place in dendrology; Jess Engle, Gabriela Mejie, Melanie Hernandez, Merlin Sabo, Nick Knipe, Kelsey McGrath, Joshua Kegerreis and J. D. Wright, Best Team; Jessica Engle repeated as Belle of the Woods for the 2nd year in a row (in her 2nd year of competition) while Merlin Sabo and Nicholas Knipe took 2nd and 3rd respectively for Bull of the Woods (both also in their 2nd year of competition as well).

All in all it was a great outing for the lumberjacks whose team consists of mostly 1st and 2nd year competitors. The team is looking much stronger, deeper and improved from the team that placed 2nd at the AWFC competition last spring. We know the team will be practicing diligently for the AWFC competition in March to be held in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

The team included Casara Adkins, Erin Banwell, Mark Isaak, Mike Scott, and Alex Stone.

A total of 23 universities competed in this year’s event. Humboldt did well, making it to the final four before losing in the semifinals to Paul Smith’s College.

Travel to Orlando was made possible by funds from the Northern California Society of American Foresters, Humboldt State University Instructionally Related Activities, and fundraising through the Alumni Weekend Golf Tournament.

Alumni interested in assisting the team with travel to next year’s competition in Albuquerque can contact Chris Edgar at (707) 826-4243 or cbe9@humboldt.edu.

The North Coast Wind Ensemble performs Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Fulkerson Recital Hall. /Submitted photos

Conducted by Kenneth Ayoob, the North Coast Wind Ensemble gathers some of the best wind and percussion players on the North Coast. The ensemble is “dedicated to performing the best of the wind band repertoire regardless of genre,” Ayoob asserts, “and strives to present entertaining and thought-provoking concerts to the North Coast.”

The Nov. 21 concert features adaptations of orchestral works: The Festive Overture by Dmitri Shostakovich, and La Procession Du Rocio by early 20th century Spanish composer Joaquin Turina.

Band music is a wind ensemble staple, so the program includes selections by two American and two British composers. Sinfonia No. 4 is by contemporary American Walter Hartley, and Symphonic Songs for Band is by Robert Russell Bennett, best known for his orchestrations of classic Broadway and Hollywood musicals.

First Suite for Military Band by Gustav Holst and Toccata Marziale by Ralph Vaughan Williams, both distinguished 20th century British composers, complete the evening.

The North Coast Wind Ensemble performs on Saturday Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $5 general, $2 students and seniors from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Kenneth Ayoob, conductor. http://HSUMusic.blogspot.com.

New or gently used CLEAN coats, hats, gloves, scarves and ponchos are sought for community members and agencies in need. Items can be placed in marked SBS bins.

All securely packaged, not-previously-expired food collected here on campus will be donated to Food for People for distribution to 10,000 low income children, families, people with disabilities, and seniors … our neighbors here in Humboldt County.

The foods that families and children need most are:

• Canned Tuna and Chicken
• Beans and Rice
• Canned Soups and Stews
• Canned Fruit
• Boxed and Canned Juices
• Peanut Butter
• Breakfast Cereals
• Pasta
• Canned Vegetable
• Nutritional Supplements/Instant Breakfast Drinks

An interesting wrinkle in the Holiday Food Drive is the HSU Hunger Fighter Challenge. The club, department, or organization that donates the most food will have the opportunity to sit down to a delicious meal with President Richmond next semester. There is no limit to the number of people in a contributing organization, but for financial and logistical reasons, 10 is the maximum number the center will be able to host at the meal.

We are encouraging people to donate either at the Service Learning Center (Nelson Hall West, Room No. 139) or in food barrels placed in several other campus locations:

• Student Business Services Building Lobby
• Clubs Office, University Center’s South Lounge
• Harry Griffith Hall
• Founders Hall
• The Library
• Siemens Hall
• The “J” second floor

To receive credit towards the Hunger Fighter Challenge, please place food donations in a strong bag and attach a note with the name of your organization and contact information.

This Holiday Food Drive ends Dec. 7 so take advantage. It is a great opportunity to support the Humboldt community. You can take direct action to help feed people. Take an active roll in improving the quality of life of the people around you; please find a way to give.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jyl Barnett at 826-4964 or jmb137@humboldt.edu.

Professor Jeff Black with students on HSU’s campus. / Humboldt State University

Fellows are “distinguished scientists who have made notable contributions to one or more of the natural sciences,” according to the academy web site, http://www.calacademy.org.

Black was elected by current fellows for recognition of his life’s work, which includes over 100 scientific publications on over 25 species of wildlife, including ducks, geese, swans, Steller’s Jays, and River Otters. His most notable contributions have been about migratory waterfowl that travel to the Arctic in summer.

Black’s work with waterfowl is far from done. “Right now I’m trying to write a kid’s book about it,” he said. The book, focusing on migratory waterfowl, will target a junior high school audience.

For more information on Black and his work, you can visit his web site at http://www.humboldt.edu/~wildlife/faculty/black.

The clinics are a collaboration among federal, state, county and HSU authorities and strict eligibility guidelines will be enforced. Recipients must be current HSU students, staff and faculty aged 24 or younger on the day they are vaccinated. They must produce both a current HSU identification card and a government-issued photo I.D. or driver’s license with date of birth. Students 17 and under must also present a consent form signed by a parent or guardian. The form can be downloaded here (PDF).

The following groups are not eligible: spouses, significant others, children, friends and colleagues who are not current HSU students, staff, or faculty aged 24 or younger; alumni, retired and emeritus HSU employees; individuals who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, had a severe reaction to a past influenza vaccination or developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of a prior influenza vaccination.

Those who do not meet these eligibility criteria are advised to contact their health care practitioners to discuss H1N1 vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta anticipates that eventually there will be enough vaccine distributed for everyone who wishes to be vaccinated, but not everyone will be able to receive it on campus. As supplies become available in coming months, vaccine will be distributed following Public Health guidelines.

Eligible individuals who have recently had the flu may receive the vaccination unless they have a definitive lab test confirming H1N1 flu.

The H1N1 vaccine has been evaluated by many agencies and experts, and has been deemed extremely safe. More information about flu vaccine safety, links to key Web sites and answers to frequently-asked H1N1 vaccination questions are at http://www.humboldt.edu/flu.

Dr. Rebecca Stauffer, director of HSU Student Health and Counseling, said that about 10 days after vaccination, the body begins to produce antibodies providing protection from the H1N1 virus. Accordingly, early vaccination is recommended. “If you are eligible for vaccination, please take advantage of one of the upcoming free vaccination events,” Stauffer said.

HSU students Kylee Singh, left, Amanda Platt and Matthew Baker fill up their water bottles at the campus’s new Hydration Station. / Humboldt State University

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in the Depot at 3:30 p.m., where a hydration station is currently being installed. The campus’ other station, located in the new Kinesiology building, is on schedule to be running by the time of the event.

“With the hydration stations we are trying to encourage people to drink local tap water and to liberate students, staff and faculty from bottled water,” said Sarah Schneider of HSU Takes Back the Tap. “They give people the option to drink free filtered, drinking water.”

The hydration stations are a hygienic, hands-free filtered drinking fountain operated by sensor where people can fill their reusable containers. The stations are meant to improve the accessibility of tap water to students, staff and faculty while helping to overcome the negative perceptions people have about tap water.

“While the water quality at HSU is known to be very high, often the aesthetic qualities of the water from individual drinking fountains is less than desirable, “ said Natalynne DeLapp, co-founder of HSU Takes Back the Tap.

One hydration station was funded by a grant from the Humboldt State University Energy Independence Fund (HEIF), the other station was donated by manufacturer of the hydration stations.

Humboldt State University is not alone its endeavor. San Diego State University and University of Oregon’s Portland campus are two universities that have already installed hydration stations.

“We’re trying to bring the appeal back to drinking tap water and eliminate some of the negative perceptions,” said Schneider.

In addition to the hydration stations, HSU Takes Back The Tap is in the early stages of planning a Bottle-Free Day to bring awareness to the negative effects of bottled water and enlighten people about the availability of quality drinking water.

The goal of the campaign is to reduce bottled water sales by 20 percent within three years, which is expected to produce a savings of 3,202 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

“The real issue,” says DeLapp, “are the hidden environmental and social costs of bottled water, which include extracting raw material to make the bottles, bottling and shipping the water, and water privatization. Those factors make tap water the clear choice in my mind.”