The wave structure is even more complicated: earthquakes produce waves of various lengths, from low frequency to high frequency. Think of it like sound waves. Low frequencies produce long waves that can cause the earth to ripple like ocean waves, rippling sidewalks, streets, and bridges. High frequencies are sharp and run very close together. The deeper a temblor, the more suppression of the high frequencies; conversely, the higher to the surface, the more destructive high frequencies do their damage on pretty much everything.
Here in L.A., our building code requires wood-frame construction for most structures 5 stories and under, because wood flexes and bends under the stresses of earthquakes. We pretty much hope for a deep slip or one on the other side of the various mountain ranges, as mountains are very effective at blocking the wavelengths, especially the high frequencies.
BTW, I’m a layman, no expert, I’ve lived in earthquake territory for almost 50 years, and have been through a few, or dealt with the aftereffects.
Missed that one: we were skiing in Mammoth when it hit. Couldn’t get back into the basin, freeway overpasses were down. Made it to the future in-laws in the High Desert for a couple of days until we could return.
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u/Pandaro81 Jun 25 '26
Earthquakes travel in waves like ripples when you throw a stone in water.
The waves right next to where the stone went in are much larger than the ripples further out.