Latest news with #GreatSanFranciscoEarthquake
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientist Issues Warning of Major West Coast Earthquake
It's been nearly 12 decades since the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 killed as many as 3,000 people. Now, one scientist is warning that another major West Coast earthquake could be imminent and perhaps even more devastating than that one. Tina Dura, a geosciences professor at Virginia Tech, was the lead author of a recent study that looked into the risk of major flooding in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. The study looked into flooding that would be caused from two factors happening together: powerful earthquakes and rising sea levels due to climate change. Dura and other experts have begun to worry about "the next big event being imminent" in the Cascadia subduction zone, which stretches from Northern California to Washington, given that a major event has not happened in over 300 years. "We expect something like the Japan 2011 and Sumatra 2004 earthquakes and tsunamis to occur there," Dura told Accuweather. In an email to Newsweek, Dura clarified that such an earthquake could come "tomorrow or decades from now," but it's "well within the window of possibility." "But geologically speaking, we're well within the window of possibility. The last event was in 1700, and paleoseismic records show these earthquakes recur roughly every 200 to 800 years," she told Newsweek. "The National Seismic Hazard model shows that there is a 15% chance of a large (over magnitude 8) earthquake happening sometime in the next 50 years. "By 2100, there is a 30% chance of a large earthquake happening. To me, those probabilities are high enough that we should be preparing for the effects of such an earthquake." The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a fault line where the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate is slowly sliding beneath the North American plate. As Newsweek explains, the boundary between the two tectonic plates is capable of producing megathrust earthquakes that strike with little warning, impacting hundreds of miles of coastline simultaneously, which could trigger widespread land subsidence, powerful tsunamis, and long-lasting infrastructure failures. Based on the warnings from Dura and other experts, it sounds like this type of earthquake could strike at any time.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Three dead, three injured in Marin County crash
(KRON) — Three people are dead and three more are hospitalized with serious injuries after a Volkswagen Tiguan hit a tree on San Geronimo Valley Road just west of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard shortly before 7:30 p.m. Friday, according to the California Highway Patrol. For reasons unknown, the SUV crashed into a tree and became engulfed in flames. Good Samaritans were on scene and attempted to free some of the people inside the burning SUV. Prediction of 'major earthquake' on anniversary of Great San Francisco Earthquake not credible, experts say CHP is still investigating the cause of the single-vehicle crash. No other details are available about the crash at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Tool thief brandished gun at East Bay Home Depot: Police
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — An Oakland man was arrested after he allegedly stole multiple power tools from a Newark Home Depot and brandished a gun at a bystander filming the theft in the store parking lot, Newark police said. The alleged theft occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday. 'Upon arrival, officers gathered information indicating that the suspect had stolen merchandise from the store,' the Newark Police Department said. 'A good Samaritan attempted to document the incident on video as the suspect loaded the stolen power tools into his getaway car. The suspect responded by threatening the witness with a handgun.' Victim named, suspect arrested in Concord murder case The suspect did not physically harm the bystander filming the crime, authorities said. Information provided by the witness was later used to identify the suspect. The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Samuel Grajales. The Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force located the getaway vehicle and the suspect hours later. Grajales was arrested and the stolen power tools were recovered from the suspect's vehicle. Grajales was arrested for shoplifting, brandishing a firearm in public. and for outstanding warrants. Grajales' case was referred to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office for prosecution. Prediction of 'major earthquake' on anniversary of Great San Francisco Earthquake not credible, experts say 'We extend our sincere gratitude to the vigilant witness whose quick action helped lead to the swift apprehension of a dangerous individual,' the Newark Police Department said. 'We encourage everyone to remain observant and report any suspicious activity. Remember: if you see something, say something. Please consider your safety first, before attempting to confront or intervene with a suspect, and do not hesitate to call 911 when witnessing a crime.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Victim named, suspect arrested in Concord murder case
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The Concord Police Department has identified the man who was shot and killed near the intersection of Monument Boulevard and Reganti Drive in Concord on April 14 at approximately 3 a.m. A suspect was also arrested in the case. The victim of the shooting was identified as 40-year-old Omar Garcia. Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene. Prediction of 'major earthquake' on anniversary of Great San Francisco Earthquake not credible, experts say Concord Police Department detectives identified 27-year-old Chance Martin of Pittsburg, Calif. as the murder suspect. CPD, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, and the Pleasant Hill and Antioch police departments, served search warrants in Pleasant Hill and Antioch. During the searches, authorities found and arrested Martin, who was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. High school football player dies following weekend diving accident at Stinson Beach 'It is believed that Martin had been involved in a dispute in the parking lot of 1500 Monument Blvd. with a group of males, had left in a vehicle, and then returned a short time later and shot multiple times from the window of his vehicle at the group of people with whom he had previously been arguing,' CPD said. 'One of the bullets he fired struck and killed Garcia.' Martin faces murder charges and will remain in custody. Anyone with additional information about the shooting is asked to contact Concord police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Berkeley city council advances defensible space ordinance
BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON) — The City of Berkeley is stepping up efforts to protect property and lives during wildfire season. A new ordinance advanced by the city council this week would require some residents to clear five feet of defensible space around their homes. During a wind-driven fire event, embers blowing ahead of the main fire can start new fires. This ordinance aims to keep additional homes from catching fire. Prediction of 'major earthquake' on anniversary of Great San Francisco Earthquake not credible, experts say This week, the Berkeley City Council advanced a measure known as 'Zone 0,' a new ordinance that would require some property owners to clear all flammable material five feet away from their homes. That could include trees, shrubs, grass, plastics, vehicles — basically, anything that could catch fire. That 5-foot defensible space will make a difference, officials say. Collin Arnold is an interim assistant chief with the Berkeley Fire Department. He says five feet of defensible space would slow a wildfire down enough to allow firefighters to do their jobs. By reducing the number of houses that ignite, firefighters can do their job of going from house to house and making sure they can get in front of the ones that do ignite. The new ordinance currently applies to about 850 homes in two parts of the city: the Panoramic Hill neighborhood above the Cal campus, and a strip of homes east of Grizzly Peak boulevard. Assistant Chief Arnold cites this home as a good example of what needs to be done but says that this ordinance will work best if everyone is onboard. 'This is going to be effective if everybody does it,' he said, 'where everyone is pulling together to make everyone safer.' The ordinance will be heard by the city council a second time next month. If passed, the new rules would kick in on Jan. 1, 2026. Homeowners who then fail to comply with the ordinance could face fines of up to $500 a day for each violation. Now homeowners would be allowed to keep some potted plants next to their homes as long as they are spaced out. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
