Report Details Devastation of a Big Quake

State officials Thursday released a doomsday earthquake scenario for San Diego and said the $350,000 document should be used as the basis for emergency response planning.

The comprehensive document, five years in the making, outlines the devastating effects a temblor of 6.8 on the Richter scale could have on the city, its structures and its capacity to provide emergency care and services.

Although the report provides much detailed information about specific effects on facilities caused by such a quake, it does not mention two other undoubted consequences: deaths and injuries, or the cost estimates of damage.

The 181-page study represents the state’s final report on the earthquake scenario. The Times ran an extensive story last month on the scenario based on a draft of the report. There was little change between the two reports.

State and local officials said they intend to use the report to help formulate better emergency response plans and to focus more attention on safeguarding equipment and facilities that could be damaged by a big quake.

The scenario of a 6.8 quake was used because state officials say that is probably the largest temblor that would hit the area, judging by San Diego’s major fault line, the Rose Canyon fault.

Officials said they hope the report will also spur citizens to become more aware of what they can do to prepare for a large earthquake and to have the supplies necessary to be self-sufficient for 72 hours.

The report was prepared by the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Mines and Geology.

Jim Phelps, operations officer for the county’s Office of Disaster Preparedness, said the study will be used as a basis for a major countywide emergency response drill scheduled for late next year.

SHAKY HISTORY

Damaging earthquakes in the San Diego area, 1800 to 1987.

Local Date Magnitude May 27, 1862 5.9 Feb. 24, 1892 6.7 Oct. 23, 1894 5.7 May 1, 1939 5.0 Nov. 4, 1949 5.7 Dec. 26, 1951 5.9 Feb. 9, 1956 6.8 Dec. 22, 1964 5.6 June 21, 1964 3.7 June 29, 1983 4.6 June 18, 1985 4.2 July 13, 1986 5.3

Source: California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology