LA- local scale hazardous setting

tangible cost of natural hazards in Southern California

losses from natural hazards are estimated to exceed $3 billion per year in the eight counties of Southern California

plate boundary where Los Angeles is situated

located on the San Andreas fault- conservative plate boundary- the Pacific plate moves northwest at around 7cm per year, while the North America plate moves southwest at 3 cm per year driven by sea floor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic ridge

scheme in LA

Multi Hazards Demonstration Project (MHDP)- aims to reduce deaths and destruction caused by natural hazards- increase the resilience of the community, improve communications between scientists, disaster managers and community planners- understand the community’s needs

LA’s economy

• one of the most dynamic in the world- fast growing high tech industry

• film and digital media industry accounts for 17% of the workforce

• Hollywood- leading film industry in the world

response to a hazard to protect the economy example

earthquakes concern tourists- in 1994 following the earthquake the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau contacted 25,000 international travel agents to reassure them the area is still suitable for tourists

quote for impact of hazards on tourism

Abidi from the private university’s Centre for Economic Research said the combined impact of the earthquake and the wildfires the year before “have such a great and long lasting psychological impact on people that it will affect tourism dramatically”

adaptation example

some of the most advanced seismic engineering went into building the Wilshire Grand Centre skyscraper with buckle resistant braces and shock-absorber foundations- cost $1.3 billion to build

social vulnerability

the second most populous city in the US- 3.8 million- high vulnerability due to the dense infrastructure and congestion

political criticisms

an engineer with the National Structural Engineers Association said the state is at risk due to many buildings still being vulnerable