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Hydraulic Earthquake Simulator Shows Danger of Loose Objects

A recent survey shows San Diego County residents worry more about an earthquake than a wildfire. To encourage folks to prepare for the big one, the crew of the world's biggest mobile earthquake simula

Hydraulic Earthquake Simulator Shows Danger of Loose Objects

Photo: The first stop for the mobile earthquake simulator is San Diego. Next is Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Ana Tintocalis/KPBS .)

A recent survey shows San Diego County residents worry more about an earthquake than a wildfire. To encourage folks to prepare for the big one, the crew of the world's biggest mobile earthquake simulator visited downtown San Diego today. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

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If a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit San Diego, it would sound a lot like this:

[Audio: ambience, rocking]

The world's biggest mobile earthquake simulator is basically a trailer with high-powered hydraulic system. Inside is a furnished living room. Experts say most deaths and injuries during a quake are caused by fallen furniture and objects.

Simulator spokesman Brian Lowe says the crew plans to travel around California to show people how they can secure their belongings.

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Lowe : You can go to a local home improvement center and spend anywhere from $50 to $100 to get all the fasteners that you need to secure everything in your home. As opposed to waiting until after the quake and spending thousands of dollars replacing things.

Lowe says less than 20 percent of county residents are earthquake prepared.

Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.