Valley expert talks preparedness after deadly Japan, Ecuador earthquakes

There were three deadly earthquakes in just three days in Ecuador and Japan last week.

Rescuers continue to race against time to reach survivors still trapped beneath the rubble in both countries. In Ecuador, the death toll soared to more than 400 people Monday following Saturday’s 7.8 magnitude quake and that number is expected to rise.

California is no stranger to deadly earthquakes. Monday marked the 110th anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake.

There are a lot of questions about the possibility of a massive earthquake hitting California in the wake of these strong quakes.

Nancy Moll, a geology professor at College of the Desert, said she doesn’t anticipate any direct impacts to the Coachella Valley, but we are overdue for a big shaker.

“Every earthquake causes other earthquakes everything is connected on the surface of the Earth,” Moll said. ” What’s happening there could happen here.”

Will you be ready when it hits?

“Make sure you have water, food, medicine, pet food, if necessary. Have a communication plan, which it’s best to have someone well outside the area everyone is supposed to call to,” said Moll.

Moll warns the San Andreas fault is capable of a magnitude 8 earthquake. Experts know big earthquakes will happen, but no one knows exactly when or exactly where. All we can do is be prepared.

For more ways to prepare for a powerful earthquake, visit www.redcross.org