<p>I'm from New York, and I'm possibly (very likely) going to USC next year. But I'm a little scared that there will be a lot of earthquakes... :S</p>
<p>Yes, there are a lot of earthquakes here (almost everyday).<br>
[Recent</a> Earthquakes for Los_Angeles](<a href=“http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Maps/Los_Angeles.html]Recent”>Earthquake Hazards Program | U.S. Geological Survey)
But, you probably won’t feel any earthquakes smaller than 4.0.</p>
<p>April 4th’s earthquake (7.2 from Baja California) was the strongest I have ever experienced in my whole life, and I am from another earthquake hometown (SF bay area).</p>
<p>^How strong is a 4.0? I’ve NEVER been in this situation before…I’m really worried :S What should I do if an earthquake happens?</p>
<p>Earthquakes aren’t that bad. A 4 is just going to rattle things a bit. Honestly, the few times I’ve felt earthquakes it was like someone was moving heavy appliances around. However, I’ve never been in a big quake. </p>
<p>As for what to do in the event of an earthquake, if the shaking is strong, hide under a desk and get away from the windows. Trust me USC is well prepared.</p>
<p>I’m not from LA, but here in Peru earthquakes are as often as earthquakes in LA and really most are nothing to worry about. About half of them are so small you can’t even feel them, most of the rest are just a rattle as they say and then there’s the very odd strong earthquake that still if you are in a well made building nothing bad should happen to you.
I believe USC has very well built buildings, otherwise they would’ve suffered on past earthquakes.
Mostly the people who suffer on strong quakes are those who are in poorly constructed houses, and still it isn’t very common to experience a strong quake since they happen each 40 years maybe.</p>
<p>Don’t fell unsafe about it, if it was such a disastrous thing that many people wouldn’t be living in LA :)</p>
<p>Shinywing,
I wasn’t trying to scare you in my previous post.
All I am trying to say is that earthquakes are like everyday life to us. They rarely cause any damage because California has the most strict building codes.</p>
<p>Thank you …I feel less worried now…because I’ve never been in that kind of situation before, so I got really scared recently :S but anyway thanks!</p>
<p>We had an earthquake in Illinois a month ago and it was probably the most exciting thing that’s ever happened here. :|</p>
<p>Really, though, you have nothing to worry about. Buildings in LA are built specifically to withstand earthquakes.</p>
<p>shinywing,
There are many parts of the U.S. subject to earthquakes. A very strong quake was one which went down part of the Mississippi River. It is not discussed often because at the time that part of the country was sparsely populated.</p>
<p>On the eastern seaboard there was an earthquake that nearly destroyed Charleston, SC. It was so severe churchbells rang in Atlanta from the tremors. The east coast is not free of earthquakes.</p>
<p>There is a large fault that goes right through the city of Memphis, Tenn.</p>
<p>shiny,
You are too young to have experienced these, but New York has had earthquakes recorded.</p>
<p>Fairly strong earthquakes hit the state of New York in 1844, 1857, 1877, 1925 and 1944 of 5.8. In 1966 a strong earthquake was felt from Canada to Maryland.</p>
<p>It is difficult to find a place that does not have quakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, severe blizzards or ice storms.</p>
<p>don’t worry, USC has got you covered:</p>
<p>[Earthquake</a> Safety // SCampus](<a href=“http://web-app.usc.edu/scampus/earthquake-safety/]Earthquake”>http://web-app.usc.edu/scampus/earthquake-safety/)</p>