-PDBM/FXT added, not the shaking itself.
QUAKE
Continued from page 5
allel to each other. In the case of both types of fault, the friction created by a major movement is what causes a quake. But the plates that recently moved off the eastern shore of Japan had about three times the surface area grinding against each other than the San Andreas would. Nearby faults Holzer said geologists believe the Hayward Fault, which runs up through the East Bay, is due for a significant event, which could register as high as 6.7 on the Richter scale. While damage from such a temblor on the Hayward Fault — which is also a strike-slip fault — would be “catastrophic� in the East Bay, damage to the Peninsula would likely be “moderate,� Holzer said. Two small faults, which could be described as wrinkles created by the San Andreas, run through parts of Mountain View. However, the Monte Vista fault isn’t likely to shake very hard, Holzer said, and it doesn’t appear to shake very often. The most significant damage from the Monte Vista fault would likely come from the ground beneath roads and buildings being offset, he
‘Don’t lose sleep’ While it is certain that a quake will eventually hit the Bay Area, another USGS scientist said, residents in inland, bay-bordering cities like Mountain View need not worry about a tsunami. “I wouldn’t want your readers to lose a lot of sleep over that,� said Tom Brocher, director of the earthquake science center for the USGS. “The seismic hazards are what they need to worry about, rather than the tsunami.� Brocher, who is based in Menlo Park, said that the narrow opening of the bay, along with its shallow depth, means that it would be highly unlikely for tsunami waters to do much damage to inland areas in the Bay Area, even in cities like Mountain View that abut the bay. Coastal cities are the most at risk from a tsunami, Brocher said. He also said that the Bay Area faults, such as the Hayward and San Andreas, aren’t likely to cause a tsunami. “In this part of California, the tsunami risk is mainly related to distant earthquakes,� he said. Large tsunamis are created by subduction zone faults, he said. When those faults experience a major shift, the earth can suddenly drop or rise rapidly. If that happens
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with an underwater fault, that water will be shoved with great force and may result in a tsunami. To illustrate his point, Brocher said that the massive 1906 earthquake, that razed much of San Francisco, only generated a swell of about 4 inches. However, he said, that doesn’t mean Mountain View residents shouldn’t worry about the damage caused by a strong temblor. Building codes Modern California building codes mean that most Bay Area homes built after the 1970s are fairly safe, Holzer said — even when coming up against a quake like the one in Japan. “Believe it or not, you could design to withstand that,� he said, comparing buildings that comply with earthquake code to rubber bands. “Think of the tremendous stretching you can get with a rubber band. What you’ve got to do is design a building with those kinds of properties, so it’s able to recover when the ground shaking causes it to sway back and forth.� Such properties have been built into the new El Camino Hospital building, according to Ken King, chief administrative services officer for the hospital. He said the hospital is designed to remain functional even after a
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major quake. The foundation of the hospital extends 9 feet down into the ground below it, and the massive columns that support the structure — weighing roughly one ton for every foot — are embedded 5 feet into the foundation. At its upper floors, the hospital’s internal structure is designed to sway to absorb motion, King said. “Anything that moves within the building is designed to move without crashing into any other part of the building.� Pipes are designed to stay fully functional even if separate floors move at different rates and different directions during a temblor; backup power is designed to remain continuous, King said. “We are one of the few hospitals in the state to be designed with the latest California building codes,� King said. Other dangers A building’s structural integrity is not the only thing one must consider when preparing for an earthquake, however, Holzer said.
ZIMBABWE RUN Continued from page 5
Coursing throughout the fair and the races is a distinctly Zimbabwean cultural vibe. Two Zimbabwean bands will be performing while runners snack on sadza, an authentic food made of cornmeal that is predominant in Zimbabwe. Local student artists from the community will also be exhibiting their African-themed artwork: clay sculptures, masks, paintings. Other arts and crafts will be on display as well. The Batsirani foundation, a group of Zimbabwean mothers of disabled children, will have authentic Zimbabwean arts and crafts available for sale. And each of the races will have its own mascot, men and women in giraffe and lion suits running around, guiding runners, and doubtlessly cursing the heat. Supplementing this distinct Zimbabwe flavor will be the presence of Gray Mahvera, professional cross-country runner and Zimbabwe native. Since 2008, the 41-year-old from Los Angeles has been coming to the Zimbabwe Run to support the cause started by the Clarks. Mahvera is a seasoned runner. This February at the USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego he ran an 8K race in 26:38 and took second place. However, the Zimbabwe Run is as full of surprises as it is charity. Last year Mahvera finished in second place in the mile run when he was bested, by one second, by Colin Mack, a sophomore from St. Francis High School. Mahvera blamed the U-turn in the race, which is there to keep the course on school grounds
“There is a big ‘but,’� he said — “non-structural components.� Tall shelves, hanging lamps, plumbing and furniture are just a few things that could be damaged or cause damage. “All nonstructural features, unless they’re secured, those can be quite lethal in an earthquake,� he said. Ultimately, an individual or family disaster plan could make all the difference, said Jaime Garrett, public information officer for the Mountain View Fire Department. For help devising such a plan, call the fire department at 9036365, Garrett said. The county offers AlertSCC. com, where residents can sign up for automated alerts on their telephones, cell phones and e-mail accounts. The Mountain View Fire Department also has Facebook and Twitter accounts, where emergency information would be posted. In the event of an emergency, information would also be available on local radio and television — KFFH 87.9 FM and KMVP Channel 15. V
— “Everyone knows the legs of a 15-year-old are more flexible going around a U-turn than those of a 40-year-old — especially a 40-year-old who just drove from Los Angeles,� Mahvera said about his finish last year. Clark says the outcome of the races reinvent the Zimbabwe Run every year, and this year Mahvera is determined to best Mack. As in previous years, all proceeds from this event will go to the Mukumbi Orphanage in Zimbabwe. The orphanage is home to about 100 children who need amenities like working toilets, solar cookers and a fence to ward off raiding baboons. Last year’s event brought in $27,000 in money the orphanage used to acquire an electric generator. The shoe drive will also be there this year. Fair goers can donate gently worn shoes to children in Zimbabwe, who often cannot afford them and cannot attend school without them. The genesis of the Zimbabwe Run began in the 1990s when Clark’s son Bill began living in Zimbabwe as a teacher. After visiting her son, Ellen Clark fell in love with the country and its people, but her heart was wrenched by the poverty and poor living conditions in the south African country known for its high occurrence of HIV/AIDS and the dictatorial oppression of its government. The Clarks have another charity program at work in Paraguay. They accept direct donations to help provide farm land and gardens for a group of students and families to sustain and harvest. Information and race sign-ups at www.zimbabweparaguay.org. V