Prepping For 'The Big One'
There has been speculation for decades that the West Coast is long overdue for 'the big one'. Various earthquake and tsunami preparedness programs have been initiated throughout the West Coast as a result in recent years. Many believe that sooner or later this region will possibly be hit by possibly a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that is going to devastate the region.
We've seen the kind of incredible damage an earthquake and resulting tsunami can cause, there have been various disasters that have occurred in the last few years. Most recent was the tsunami in Indonesia that ended-up taking the lives of hundreds of people.
Whenever 'the big one' hits it will consequently overwhelm emergency services in the area. Hundreds of thousands of people will be displaced, thousands will need medical attention etc. It's been estimated that there are thousands of buildings currently at risk; such a quake would devastate the region in many ways.
It's impossible to predict exactly when such an event might occur and there have been various estimations over the years. It's been previously suggested that there might be a 30 percent chance of 'the big one' happening sometime in the next 50 years.
One study from 10 years ago estimated that there was a 99 percent chance of the West Coast seeing a 6.7 quake or greater within the next 30 years. There isn't any exact date that's been given but authorities have understandably been increasing their preparedness efforts in recent years.
Some estimates place the economic losses in the tens of billions—more than $80 billion including insured losses. Including the California region however, it could easily surpass hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.
Most people aren't financially prepared for such an event, don't have earthquake insurance etc. Such a disaster could devastate the financial future of many people.
Aside from financial preparedness, there is also physical preparedness to consider and there have been some creative solutions that have come to market that might help those who find themselves facing such an earthquake disaster one day.
One of those ideas is a tsunami pod (see below) that can offer protection when needed. The pod can accommodate a range of people and acts as a survival capsule, giving those who have one some peace of mind knowing that they have an option if they find themselves without anywhere to run to for help.
Costing less than $15,000 it might be well worth the money if it can save your life. One woman from Long Beach is reportedly the very first customer to purchase such a pod from the company behind them and we might soon see more people embrace them along the coast.
The pod has been made of aircraft-grade aluminum and it's got a watertight marine door, GPS beacon, air canisters, a ceramic thermal lining, and porthole windows. The pod is a product of a Washington-based company and the founder of the company has previously admitted that he's focused on building a market for these pods in Japan.
“What we’re trying to do is increase people’s chances of survival,... If you have no other means of escape this is a very viable option.” - J Sharpe, founder of Survival Capsule.
Now, a tsunami-proof hotel the Mizukami Hotel made of these floating pods has recently opened up in Japan.
It was expected that those pod rooms will be available to rent by later this summer, they've recently started trials. The venue reportedly includes an entirely robot staff, and costs around $330 USD per night with a minimum stay of 2 nights. The floating pod hotel concept was unveiled at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park.
Several years ago when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan there were thousands of people who lost their lives and this floating pod might be a reasonable solution for those who are living in an area that might need to prepare at some point for such a disaster taking place.
These aren't the only pod options either, there are other engineers and entrepreneurs working on similar floating pod solutions to tsunami problems. One of those companies has reportedly already shipped over 100 units and the demand is likely to continue to grow as more consumers become aware of this device.
Pics:
pixabay
BNPB via discovermagazine
img3
The Survival Capsule via phys.org
via Japan Times
If I lived on the west coast, I think instead of the pod (although it is cool) I would just move. For 15k you can get a nice used runabout boat, live on a lake and forget the high prices for everything lol.
Earthquakes are a risk for living in one of the most beautiful states. That said, I choose to live in an area of the state that is not considered at risk for earthquakes. Best of both worlds!
This is a topic that scares the hell out of me, living here on the west coast. It is often assumed that "the big one" means a quake in California, but I've read that it is more likely to hit further up the coast - in the Seattle/Vancouver area. When I look at the map and see the shape of Vancouver Island compared to the coast of the continent, I have to wonder if this was always an island?
Imagine you are in the pod in time when it happens and the next day you open it ...... at full sea two hundred miles away.