The Guardian

‘I’d drink my jacuzzi’: how earthquake scientists prepare for the 'big one'

After major temblors rock California, four earthquake scientists in areas of high seismic risk reveal their own plans for when the worst hits
Planetary science professor Roland Burgmann sorts through camping gear at his home in Berkeley, California, on 11 July 2019. Photograph: James Tensuan/The Guardian

Two back-to-back earthquakes, of magnitude 6.4 and 7.1, hit southern California in less than 24 hours last week, and seismologists have warned of an increased chance of more shaking in the near future.

We spoke with four earthquake scientists living in high-risk areas to see what the people who think about earthquakes the most plan to do after a ‘big one’ hits.

Roland Burgmann, professor of earth and planetary science at the University of California, Berkeley: ‘We might want to put a little bleach in the jacuzzi’

Roland Burgmann says in the event of an earthquake, his jacuzzi could be a source for water.
Roland Burgmann says in the event of an earthquake, his jacuzzi could be a source for water. Photograph: James Tensuan/The Guardian

Berkeley is at risk of a magnitude 7 earthquake on the Hayward fault, which scientists estimate could kill 800 people and injure

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