FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 1/13/2010) If you live in Memphis, it's a good chance you've thought about the big one.
Maryann Bodayla lives on Mud Island and says she has, "The Island will certainly fall apart in a major earthquake. It's one of those things you have to choose where you want to live and what force of nature you want to potentially face."
She hopes Memphis is ready.
Workers at the University of Memphis' Earthquake Center say Memphis' time will come.
"At least seven large earthquakes have occurred in this region in the last 1,500 years. There is no reason to believe they won't occur again. We can't say when, don't know how long they will be. But we know the largest ever that occurred 200 years ago was in magnitude of a 7.7 range," says Gary Patterson, with the University of Memphis Earthquake Research Center.
He says the area is preparing, making newer buildings have stricter seismic standards, "We have made great strides in the last two decades, our buildings are built well
But older buildings are another story.
Some, under renovation, are being reinforced.
But there are many old buildings in Memphis that are still a threat and not built to withstand the force of a quake.
And while newer bridges like the I-40 over the Mississippi River are being shored up, older ones like the I-55 bridge over the Mississippi are not retro-fitted.
"If there is something like an earthquake, its going to be major catastrophe that's going to be long term," says Bodayla.
Memphis and Shelby County are also doing emergency response training.
That means making sure the injured are cared for and plans are in place for things like transportation and housing.
It will all get a big test in May of 2011, when seven states in the region will be involved in a massive drill to test our preparedness.
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(Memphis 1/13/2010) If you live in Memphis, it's a good chance you've thought about the big one.
Maryann Bodayla lives on Mud Island and says she has, "The Island will certainly fall apart in a major earthquake. It's one of those things you have to choose where you want to live and what force of nature you want to potentially face."
She hopes Memphis is ready.
Workers at the University of Memphis' Earthquake Center say Memphis' time will come.
"At least seven large earthquakes have occurred in this region in the last 1,500 years. There is no reason to believe they won't occur again. We can't say when, don't know how long they will be. But we know the largest ever that occurred 200 years ago was in magnitude of a 7.7 range," says Gary Patterson, with the University of Memphis Earthquake Research Center.
He says the area is preparing, making newer buildings have stricter seismic standards, "We have made great strides in the last two decades, our buildings are built well
But older buildings are another story.
Some, under renovation, are being reinforced.
But there are many old buildings in Memphis that are still a threat and not built to withstand the force of a quake.
And while newer bridges like the I-40 over the Mississippi River are being shored up, older ones like the I-55 bridge over the Mississippi are not retro-fitted.
"If there is something like an earthquake, its going to be major catastrophe that's going to be long term," says Bodayla.
Memphis and Shelby County are also doing emergency response training.
That means making sure the injured are cared for and plans are in place for things like transportation and housing.
It will all get a big test in May of 2011, when seven states in the region will be involved in a massive drill to test our preparedness.
