The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that California’s next big catastrophe might not be a massive earthquake. Instead, they say a massive volcanic eruption could plunge the state into a post-apocalyptic hellscape.
In a report released on Monday, the USGS said that at least 10 volcanic eruptions have taken place in the past 1,000 years and that “future volcanic eruptions are inevitable.” The USGS has previously said that California in dire need of the monitoring of at least 8 active volcanoes.
USGS Says California Needs Close Monitoring Of 8 Active Volcanoes
USGS claims that most people are well aware of the fact that California could experience a major and deadly earthquake, but the general public is less than concerned about a volcanic eruption. “The potential for damaging earthquakes, landslides, floods, tsunamis, and wildfires is widely recognized in California,” the report said according to Newsweek. “The same cannot be said for volcanic eruptions, despite the fact that they occur in the state about as frequently as the largest earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault.”
The USGS estimated the risk of volcanic eruption based on the past 5,000 years of volcanic activity in California. The report further found that there is a 16 percent chance of a small to moderate-sized eruption over the next 30 years. As reported by Newsweek, by comparison, there is a 22 percent chance of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake at the San Andreas Fault in the San Francisco Bay Area in the next 25 years.
Although one cannot stop a volcano from erupting, preparations can be made just in case this inevitable event happens on our watch. The potentially hazardous volcanoes in California are being monitored closely for any changes that indicate an eruption could be on the way, but that may not give those in surrounding communities much time to get awat from the hazard. Americans by and large have long lost their willingness to prepare for cataclysmic events and natural disasters.
America STILL Lacks A ‘Culture Of Preparedness’ Even After Repeated Warnings
“Understanding the hazards and identifying what and who is in harm’s way is the first step in mitigating volcanic risk and building community resilience to volcanic hazards,” the USGS’s report said. “Characterizing exposure—the who and what is in harm’s way—is the first step in mitigating volcanic risk.” This all involves some level of personal responsibility when it comes to preparations. Will a volcano erupt and destroy California tonight? Probably not. But preppers and survivalists understand the need to be ready at a moment’s notice either way.
“Across the ages, in every survival story, a disaster of some sort plays a prominent role. Sometimes the part is played by the government, sometimes it is played by Mother Nature, and other times, the role is taken on by a random mishap. If we have learned one thing studying the history of disasters, it is this: those who are prepared have a better chance at survival than those who are not.” Tess Pennington, The Prepper’s Blueprint
