#PacificWatch: Is California prepped for the next big earthquake, three decades later? @JCBliss

Here’s what would happen if a huge quake hit Los Angeles -- If a large earthquake ruptures the San Andreas fault, the death toll could approach 2,000, and the shaking could lead to damage in every city in Southern California — from Palm Springs to San Luis Obispo, seismologist Lucy Jones has said. Los Angeles Times 

These are some of the major earthquake risks facing California -- It’s been three decades since two disastrous earthquakes shook California into looking more seriously at its seismic vulnerabilities. In 1989, Northern California was rocked by the Loma Prieta quake. Five years later, the Northridge quake hit Southern California. Los Angeles Times

Japan and Mexico have earthquake early-warning systems. How does California’s compare? -- When it comes to building a state-of-the-art earthquake early warning system, California is behind. Los Angeles Times

Earthquake apps: Which ones are worth downloading? -- Apps cannot predict when and where an earthquake will strike, but there is a relatively new early warning system for the U.S. West Coast. Those warnings will come through an app called MyShake. Madalyn Amato in the Los Angeles Times

How earthquakes happen: The science of a shake -- Californians have no doubt seen warnings about a major earthquake in headlines, science textbooks, Hollywood and more for years. And experts say we’re overdue. But to prepare for the Big One, it will help to know what one is. Los Angeles Times

Lucy Jones says this is the most important thing you can do to prepare for a quake -- People, not kits. If you really want to be ready for the next big earthquake, forget the earthquake kit and go talk to your neighbors. Los Angeles Times