Even though I do not spend a whole lot of time thinking about it, I am smart enough to take the time to prepare for an Emergency, should it strike in any form. Although one cannot imagine every scenario which may occur, we can gather some essential items in general to survive most situations. Of course, Food (in the form of MRE’s – Meals Ready to Eat – essentials for emergency preparedness) and a comprehensive kit of Medical Supplies would be at the top of the list, along with an Emergency Radio to keep us updated and informed in case of a power outage, or if we are forced to leave our homes. There are some pretty cool solar powered radios available for a decent price, and it is totally worth it.

Now, there are different levels of Emergencies. Having several packs ready to go at all times, one for each member of the family, is a great idea. We can keep these packs in a place which is easy to access on the go, in case we need to leave in a hurry, making certain everyone knows where their pack is. Practice Emergency routines once in a while to keep this in mind without creating a panic… we do not need to obsess. Keeping emergency supplies in our vehicles is also a great idea, just in case we are not home when danger strikes.

Another thing to keep in mind is our water supplies. Just in case our water becomes tainted, or we are uncertain of the purity, we should educate ourselves with Water Storage information and gather Water Filters, Purifiers and Storage Containers.

I would like to follow up on this subject in the near future with a list of supplies which may be helpful for those uncertain of what to gather. Sometimes it is not possible to gather all we may need, either because of our location or financial situation, yet common sense will show us what we need most so we can at least stand a chance of surviving if the unthinkable happens. Remember, when the Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake or Disaster warnings go out (or hit), the time to prepare is over… like trying to buy fire insurance when the house is on fire.

I am lucky in that we have an extended family and friends who have thought about this occurance for quite some time now, and we are prepared to gather in a place of safety if at all possible. Educating ourselves in survival techniques is very important, as one never knows when an Emergency situation may occur, and it is better to be prepared so we are less likely to panic, and supplies may not be readily available. As always, I am most happy to hear ideas and suggestions which may be helpful in an Emergency situation.

It is very important in these times to pay close attention to the Earth changes as they occur. If the following is accurate, we need to monitor the situation as Mother Earth shakes things up.

Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake Increases Next Month…

The chance of a major earthquake striking Vancouver Island will be slightly higher next month as tiny tremors rattle the earth 40 kilometres beneath our feet.

Seismologists forecast the southern half of the Island, including Nanaimo, to enter a period of what they call “episodic tremor and slip” activity in mid-April, as the Juan de Fuca plate grinds underneath the North American plate along what’s known as the Cascadia subduction zone.

The fault that slopes down beneath Vancouver Island comes under increased pressure at these times causing small sub-surface tremors for about a two-week period, and that’s also when seismologists think it’s more likely there could be a major movement of the plates, causing a potential magnitude 9 earthquake.

Such a quake would also trigger a tsumani that would level the west coast and could topple tall or unstable buildings in cities like Nanaimo.

This type of earthquake last struck in 1700, wiping out aboriginal villages and sending a tsunami across the Pacific.

But there’s no need to run to the mainland for cover, says one earthquake scientist, people who live along the coast from northern California to the northern tip of Vancouver Island probably face this risk about one-third of the time anyway.

ETS activity occurs beneath the southern half of Vancouver island about every 14 months, and people probably won’t feel the shaking going on 40 kilometres beneath Nanaimo’s surface, said Garry Rogers, an earthquake scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada.

Each time ETS activity takes place, more stress is added on the two plates, he explained.

Eventually, the pressure will be too much for the plates to take and the Cascadia subduction zone, which spans about 1,000 kilometres north from California to the Island, will rupture causing a major earthquake.

While studying ETS activity can provide some insight into earthquakes, it doesn’t help scientists predict when they will happen.

These tremors take place at other locations along the fault at different times.

An 11-month cycle has been observed in California, for instance.

“It happens everywhere along the Cascadia subjuction zone, but it goes off at different times,” said Rogers, adding that ETS activity is taking place somewhere about one-third of the time.

“One of these, it seems likely, will be the one that breaks the camel’s back (and causes an earthquake).

We have no idea which one it is.

And just because the ETS activity isn’t happening near Nanaimo at the time, doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. A quake could originate in California but travel north to B.C.’s southern coast, for instance.

“When our subduction zone ruptures, the past history has been the entire thing or half the thing goes at one time,” said Rogers.

And ETS activity doesn’t run like clockwork.

The northern half of Vancouver Island usually experienced these tremors about six months out of sync with the southern half of the Island.

But recently that schedule has changed all of a sudden, leaving scientists perplexed.

Rogers points out that the more probable source of major damage on the Island is not an extremely rare and deep underground subduction quake, but rather more common earthquakes that are less powerful but felt more intensely because they happen closer to the surface.

ETS activity was first discovered by a team of scientists, that included Rogers, on Vancouver Island in 2003.

Visit Earth Changes to keep track of Earth and Weather patterns as they occur.

There’s a new eruption site on Kilauea volcano. It’s the first time lava is flowing east of Puuoo in 15 years. There’s been quite a bit of activity on Kilauea for the past five weeks…earthquake swarms, Puuoo crater collapsed, and now a new eruption site.

It’s known as the most world’s most active volcano. Experts say it’s the most activity and changes they’ve seen in a few years. Most of Kilauea’s Eruptions happen at the summit or within the two rift zones. Now there’s a new eruption site, just east of Puuoo crater. The lava is oozing along one mile fissures. It’s the first time this area has had any activity in 15 years.

The last time there were eruptions at this site in 1990. The lava ended up flowing downhill to Kalapana and destroyed the entire community. Experts monitoring the new lava outbreak don’t believe this flow will take that same path. Scientists say if Kilauea is trying to tell them something, they’re listening carefully.

When Mother Earth decides to rumble and grumble, we are humbly reminded how pitifully small we are in the scheme of things. At this moment I wish to send out heartfelt prayers for the safety and well being of folks within the vicinity of this Volcano as she vents…

Simplified map of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i

Kilauea Eruption Updates

Geological Survey Fact Sheet