Hazard Hotspots: California Most hazardous state in USA due to plate tectonics and climate patterns like El Nino

l Nino or La Nina Lies on conservative plate boundary between North American and Pacific plate- San Andreas Fault is boundary. 35% is forest so wildfires are frequent Lots of mountain and coastal areas with poor vegetated steep slopes causes landslides Vulnerable to earthquakes, floods, landslides, wildfires, drought Floods coincide with El Nino and forest fires and drought with La Nina

Responses: Authority: o o State o o o California Fire Plan o Reduces risk, severity, frequency and size of fires Community Wildfire Protection Plans Fire Safe Council o Helps community and advises them how to reduce vulnerability State Hazard Mitigation Plan o Actions taken to reduce/eliminate risks State provides resources

Earthquakes: 1906, San Francisco had earthquake of 8.2 on Richter scale Fractured gas pipes which caused explosions and fires Fractured water mains so no way to stop fires

1989, another earthquake measuring 7.1 on Richter scale Epicentre at Loma Prieta Buildings collapsed 63 died 13,757 injured 1018 homes destroyed and 23,408 damaged Damage cost $6 billion

1994 struck northern LA with 6.7 on Richter scale 1500 injured and 57 died 12,500 buildings damaged 9000 homes and businesses without electricity for several days 48,500 without water