NYC is not prepared for a big earthquake, but does it need to be?

After two earthquakes in four days, is New York City ready for a big quake and does it actually need to be

In the span of just a few days, the Big Apple shook from a 3.0 and 2.7 magnitude earthquake

Both caused minimal damage and no serious injuries. A recent report from the city showed a magnitude 5 earthquake would cause billions of dollars in damage

However, is that likely to happen? If you are talking about large earthquakes, you need plate motion and you need to be close to the boundary of two plates that are moving relative to each other

We are just not living in that place, although we are at the edge of the continent, but it's a passive boundary

Both of this week's earthquakes came along the Ramapo fault line, which formed 200 million years ago

It's in the middle of a stable tectonic plate, unlike the famous San Andreas Fault, which is the boundary of two different tectonic plates

San Andreas moves constantly whereas Ramapo is mostly still and movement is what needed for big quakes If you look at the GPS motion along St Andrews Fort it is moving quickly It is moving relatively in large amount every year relative to the other side of the fort

But it's just not happening here in our place. Lower odds doesn't mean it's impossible

The city's report showed a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit the city back in 1884

If an earthquake like magnitude 5 hit very close to Manhattan, people will feel much stronger shake and there will be more disruption to the civic system like a running subway train can fill that earthquake and will have to shut down a large part of the city because of the shake

So I can imagine a lot of economic impact to this region if magnitude of five earthquakes happens

Shen says preparedness is always a good thing, and that starts with teaching people what to do if a quake hits

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan. For more Unbiased Straight Facts, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com