這次一連兩天發生了6級以上的地震，雖然沒有帶來大的災害，但是立即提醒人們，加州的地震就像一顆定時炸彈，隨時都可能爆炸。
整個20世紀，美國一共發生了三次大地震，三次大地震都發生在加州。去年美國就有機構預測未來的三年內，南加州地區五級以上大地震的概率超過「85%」。雖然美國其他地方也發生過地震，但都很少也比較小，只有加州在歷史上發生過多次大地震。
Throughout the 20th century, there were three major earthquakes in the United States, all of which occurred in California. Last year, some US agencies predicted that the probability of a magnitude 5 earthquake or more in Southern California would exceed "85%" in the next three years. Although earthquakes have occurred in other parts of the United States, they are rare and relatively small. Only California has experienced many major earthquakes in history.
加州地質斷層在歷史上發生多次大地震
California geological faults have experienced many major earthquakes in history.
1906年4月18日加州舊金山發生了8.6級大地震，地震主要集中在舊金山市區，我們知道舊金山市區面積狹小、人口密度極大。由於地震發生在清晨5點，死亡人數眾多，但是當時政府為保護地產隱瞞死亡人數，今日保守估計死亡人數在5,000人以上。這是美國有史以來最嚴重的一次地震，由於當時天氣乾燥，地震引起的大火連燒3天，全市共2.8萬座房屋被摧毀，22.5萬人失去家園，損失約4億美元，相當於今日70多億美元。
On April 18, 1906, an 8.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in San Francisco, California. The earthquake was mainly concentrated in the downtown area of San Francisco. We know that the downtown area of San Francisco is small and the population density is extremely high. Since the earthquake occurred at 5: 00 a.m., the death toll was large, but at that time the government hid the death toll in order to protect the real estate, and today it is conservatively estimated that the death toll is above 5,000. This is the worst earthquake in the history of the United States. Due to dry weather at that time, fires caused by the earthquake continued to burn for 3 days. A total of 28,000 houses in the city were destroyed, 225,000 people lost their homes and lost about 400 million US dollars, equivalent to more than 7 billion US dollars today.
1989年加州地震損壞的880高速
880 Expressway Damaged by 1989 California Earthquake
時隔80多年，美國舊金山在1989年10月17日再次發生大地震，震級芮氏6.9級，震中位於太平洋邊緣的聖克魯斯以北16公裡，並波及加利福尼亞州從舊金山到薩克拉門託的大部地區，死亡超過270人，經濟損失估計10億美元。這是20世紀美國大陸經歷的第二次大地震，僅次於1906年的8.6級大地震。由於現在舊金山地區 集中了更多的人口和建築，本次地震切斷了交通，公路、橋梁、機場、海灣快速鐵路被迫關閉。矽谷地區高樓大廈左右搖動，玻璃碎片四處落散。從此生活在灣區的人們更加關注地震。
More than 80 years later, San Francisco in the United States experienced another major earthquake on October 17, 1989, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was located 16 kilometers north of Santa Cruz on the Pacific rim and spread to most of California from San Francisco to Sacramento, killing more than 270 people and causing an estimated economic loss of 1 billion US dollars. This is the second major earthquake experienced by the US mainland in the 20th century, after the 1906 earthquake with a magnitude of 8.6. As more people and buildings are now concentrated in San Francisco, the earthquake cut off traffic and forced the closure of roads, bridges, airports and the Gulf express railway. High-rise buildings in Silicon Valley shake from side to side and glass fragments fall everywhere. Since then, people living in the bay area have paid more attention to the earthquake.
1994年1月17日4時31分，在加州南部洛杉磯市西北35公裡處發生芮氏6.6級地震。
At 4: 31 on January 17, 1994, an earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale occurred 35 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles in southern California.
震中位於市中心西北200多公裡的聖費爾南多谷的北嶺地區，又稱北嶺地震。北嶺地震雖然級不高，但是由於地震也發生在凌晨，共造成62人死亡，9000多人受傷。震中30公裡範圍內高速公路、高層建築毀壞或倒塌，煤氣、自來水管爆裂，電訊中斷，火災四起，帶來的經濟損失驚人，達到300多億美元。
The epicenter was located in the Beiling area of the San Fernando Valley, more than 200 kilometers northwest of the city center, also known as the Beiling earthquake. Although the magnitude of the Beiling earthquake was not high, it also occurred in the early morning hours, killing 62 people and injuring more than 9,000. Within 30 kilometers of the epicenter, highways and high-rise buildings were destroyed or collapsed, gas and tap water pipes burst, telecommunications were cut off, and fires broke out. The economic losses caused were staggering, reaching more than 30 billion US dollars.
聖安德烈斯斷層
San Andres fault
斷層兩邊地震錯位
Earthquake dislocation on both sides of fault
加州地震的「始作俑者」，都是著名的聖安德烈斯斷層（San Andreas Fault），舊金山正好位於斷層線上，洛杉磯市也離斷層不遠。此斷層約1300千米長，位於太平洋板塊和北美洲板塊交界處的錯動性板塊。科學家最近發現，該斷層在洛杉磯北部一段300多公裡長位置，沿著斷層的土地自1857年以來一直以每年超過2.5釐米的速度推進，從未間斷過。他們警告稱，自公元800年以來，地震大約每100年發生一次，這意味著一場巨大的災難性地震正醞釀著，很可能在2020年以前，大地震襲擊北加州的舊金山地區的概率大於70%。
The "originator" of the California earthquake is the famous San Andreas Fault. San Francisco is located on the fault line and Los Angeles is not far from the fault. This fault is about 1300 kilometers long and is located in the dislocation plate at the junction of the Pacific plate and the North American plate. Scientists have recently discovered that the fault is over 300 kilometers long in northern Los Angeles. The land along the fault has been advancing at a speed of more than 2.5 centimeters per year since 1857, without interruption. They warned that since 800 a.d., earthquakes have occurred about once every 100 years, which means a huge catastrophic earthquake is brewing. it is likely that by 2020, the probability of a major earthquake hitting San Francisco in northern California will be more than 70%.
加州為了減少地震災害和傷亡，投入了十億以上的資金預防地震。同時法律對建築物的防震要求近乎苛刻，家庭住宅基本都三層以下，如果想要建築三層以上的住宅用房，必須經過非常嚴格且繁瑣的審批程序。另外住宅都採用木質結構，這樣的房屋不僅防震功能很強，也因為建造速度快、成本低，同時保溫好，當地震發生時，能有效減低人身傷害，保障人們的安全。
In order to reduce earthquake disasters and casualties, California has invested more than one billion dollars to prevent earthquakes. At the same time, the law has strict requirements on earthquake prevention of buildings. Family houses are basically under three floors. If you want to build houses with more than three floors, you must go through very strict and complicated approval procedures. In addition, the houses are all made of wood. Such houses not only have strong earthquake-proof function, but also have fast construction speed, low cost and good heat preservation. When an earthquake occurs, it can effectively reduce personal injury and ensure people's safety.