San Francisco: Earthquake Swarm Shakes City, Raises Concerns

San Francisco: Earthquake Swarm Shakes City, Raising ConcernsSan Francisco: Earthquake Swarm Shakes City, Raising Concerns A swarm of earthquakes has been rattling San Francisco, prompting concerns among residents and raising questions about the city’s seismic resilience. Since Wednesday, more than 50 earthquakes have been recorded in the Bay Area, with epicenters near the Presidio neighborhood. The largest earthquake, a magnitude 3.6, occurred on Thursday afternoon, causing widespread shaking and temporary power outages. While the earthquakes have not caused any significant damage or injuries, they have heightened awareness of the city’s vulnerability to earthquakes. San Francisco sits on the San Andreas Fault, one of the most dangerous seismic faults in the world. “This swarm is a reminder that we live in earthquake country,” said Nancy Ward, director of the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management. “It’s important to be prepared and to know what to do in the event of a major earthquake.” The earthquake swarm has also raised questions about the city’s earthquake warning system, which is designed to give residents a few seconds of notice before a major earthquake strikes. “We’re still studying the data from this swarm,” said Ward. “But it’s clear that our warning system needs to be improved. We need to make sure that it’s as fast and accurate as possible.” The city has been working to improve its earthquake warning system in recent years. In 2019, the city installed a new network of sensors that can detect earthquakes faster and more accurately. However, experts say that even with a perfect warning system, there will always be a risk of damage and injuries from earthquakes. “Earthquakes are a natural hazard,” said Lucy Jones, a seismologist at the California Institute of Technology. “There’s no way to completely eliminate the risk. But we can take steps to reduce the damage and save lives.” Residents are urged to take the following steps to prepare for an earthquake: * Have a plan for what to do in the event of an earthquake. * Keep a supply of food, water, and first aid supplies on hand. * Secure heavy objects in your home, such as bookcases and appliances. * Know where the nearest earthquake shelter is located. * Download the ShakeAlert app, which provides earthquake warnings. “By being prepared, we can help to ensure that we are as safe as possible in the event of a major earthquake,” said Ward.