SEISMIC WATCH : Shaking Us Up

No one who lives in or near Los Angeles really needed the important reminder we got Monday from the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Probabilities of Future Large Earthquakes in Southern California.

That awkwardly titled but important scientific study group announced that the likelihood of a big earthquake here has increased significantly as a result of “recent seismic activity.”

Among the activity the scientists cited was a 5.4 temblor that rattled the Southland only last Friday. And even those of us who didn’t feel that shaker--an aftershock of last June’s Landers quake--probably have at some time come to know firsthand why one of California’s many colorful nicknames is “Earthquake Country.”

Like it or not, earthquakes in California are a routine if unpleasant part of existence, much as tornadoes or hurricanes are in other parts of the country. And just as smart folks elsewhere prepare for bad weather, the best way for us to deal with earthquakes is to prepare for them.

That includes getting our homes ready by bolting down water heaters and heavy furniture, and stockpiling at least a 72-hour supply of food and water, any medical supplies a family might need and fresh batteries to operate flashlights and radios in case the electricity is knocked out.

Anyone who makes such reasonable--and not terribly expensive--preparations should be in good shape to cope in the aftermath of the next major earthquake. Rest assured, whatever its magnitude, one will occur. That’s life in Earthquake Country.