Workers survey an elevated highway destroyed by the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles, California. Photograph by Robert A. Eplett/FEMA
MAJOR EARTHQUAKE DUE TO HIT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, STUDY SAYS
John Roach
for National Geographic News, June 21, 2006
Get ready for the Big One.
About 300 years of pent-up stress in southern California is sufficient to trigger a catastrophic earthquake on the San Andreas Fault system, according to a new study.
The San Andreas Fault marks the boundary between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are pieces of the Earth's outer crust that jostle about like constantly moving pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
The fault is notorious for major earthquakes, including the 1906 earthquake that reduced the San Francisco Bay Area to piles of smoldering rubble.
But the 100-mile (160-kilometer) southern section of the fault, which runs south from San Bernardino to the east of Los Angeles and San Diego, has remained eerily quiet for nearly three centuries.
Now, scientists believe, the fault is ready to rumble.
"It is fully charged for the next big event," said Yuri Fialko, a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California.
"When the event will occur, we cannot tell," he continued.
"It could be tomorrow or 20 years from now, but it appears unlikely the fault can take another few hundred years of slow strain accumulation."
Fialko reached this conclusion after studying the fault system with radar-equipped satellites and global positioning systems (GPS).
photo & story courtesy nationalgeographic.com/news, 6/21/06
Jesus Foretells the Future
1As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at these tremendous buildings! Look at the massive stones in the walls!" 2Jesus replied, "These magnificent buildings will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another." 3Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, 4"When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to show us when all this will be fulfilled?" 5Jesus replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, 6because many will come in my name, claiming to be the Messiah. They will lead many astray. 7And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. 8Nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, and famines. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.
IN TODAY'S SCRIPTURE, WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF THE END OF THE WORLD THAT JESUS MENTIONS? HOW MANY OF THESE DO YOU THINK ARE ALREADY HAPPENING?
Remember the tsunami disaster in early 2005? Then it was Hurricane Katrina that brought incredible destruction and death to our country. Now it's an earthquake being predicted for southern California!
You'll find it interesting to know that when Jesus talked about end times, He also mentioned earthquakes. I'm not saying that any of us can figure out when Jesus is going to return, but this much we know - every day brings us closer!
The ultimate sign of Christ's return will be His appearance in the clouds, which will be seen by all people (Mark 13:26; Revelation 1:7). People won't have to guess whether it's the "end times" or if it's really the Messiah. When Jesus returns, all true believers will recognize the Savior!
Be careful of religious leaders or groups who claim to have special knowledge of Christ's return. Jesus said in (Mark 13:32) that no one knows the exact time.
Live out your commitment to Christ and get ready - the end of the world is coming and so is Jesus!
- Every morning, remember - this could be THE DAY!
- Every day, pray for the love and courage you need to tell God's Story. Look for opportunities to learn Their Story and Jesus will give you the right moment to tell My Story (your story of being a follower of Jesus).
- As you see reports on the news about earthquakes and other disasters that are happening around the world, pray for those people - that God will use these events and difficult circumstances to prepare them for the coming of Jesus.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.