[Fox News] Is the East Coast on the brink of a major earthquake — and are we prepared?
The earthquake that struck the East Coast earlier this month was felt by an estimated 42 million people and luckily caused little damage, but what are the chances of a bigger, more powerful quake striking the area? And if it does, what could it look like — and are we prepared?
The April 5 phenomenon was a 4.8 magnitude earthquake centered near Whitehouse Station in New Jersey, which is about 40 miles west of New York City.
Shaking was felt from Washington D.C. to Maine, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and it followed a much smaller, 1.7 magnitude earthquake in New York City on Jan. 2.
Earthquakes are rare along the East Coast, with the most powerful one in the last 100 years hitting in August 2011, clocking 5.8 on the Richter scale. It was centered in Virginia and felt from Washington, D.C. to Boston.
4.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES NEW JERSEY, SHAKING BUILDINGS IN SURROUNDING STATES
Before that, an earthquake in South Carolina in 1886 is understood to have measured between 6.6 and 7.3 on the Richter scale. There is no definitive measurement of that quake since the Richter scale has only been around since the mid-1930s, but the tectonic shift still killed 60 people.
Professor John Ebel, a seismologist in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Boston College, tells Fox News Digital that when quakes start breaking 5.0 on the Richter scale, damage begins to occur.
For instance, the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria last year measured 7.8 and resulted in the death of nearly 62,000 people as tens of thousands of buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged.
California’s Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, meanwhile, measured 6.9 and caused 69 deaths, and the 1994 Northridge earthquake in the Golden State clocked 6.7, killing 57 people. Thousands more were injured.
“As you go above magnitude five, the shaking becomes stronger and the area over which the strong shaking is experienced becomes wider,” Ebel says. “So if you get a magnitude six, the shaking is ten times stronger than a magnitude five. So had this month’s earthquake been a 5.8, rather than a 4.8, then we would be looking at damage to unreinforced structures in the greater New York City area.”
“Now I have to qualify this and say that in the past few decades, New York City has had an earthquake provision in its building code while New Jersey, New York and Connecticut have all adopted some version of earthquake provisions in their building codes,” Ebel explained. “So modern buildings that are put up today will actually do quite well, even in strong earthquake shaking… If you have a magnitude 6 or even a magnitude seven.”
In terms of the Tri-state area, Ebel says that the region has had smaller earthquakes, but it’s been spared anything that’s been significantly damaging.
An 1884 quake in Brooklyn did cause limited damage and injuries. Seismologists estimated it would have measured in the region of 5.0 and 5.2, while a quake jolted Massachusetts in 1775 in the region of 6.0 and 6.3.
WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE AND HOW TO PREPARE
“In 1884 there were things knocked from shelves, some cracks in walls that were reported, particularly plaster walls, which crack very easily if a building is shaken,” Ebel said. “There were some brick walls that had some cracks and people panicked because of the very strong shaking.”
A magnitude five earthquake hits the tri-state area once every 120 years, says Ebel, who penned the book “New England Earthquakes: The Surprising History of Seismic Activity in the Northeast.”
“The question is, can we have something bigger? And in my opinion, yes we can,” he said. “We can’t predict earthquakes, and we don’t know when the next one is going to occur, but we do have a low, not insignificant probability of a damaging earthquake at some point.”
Ebel said that the April 5 earthquake has left seismologists baffled since it didn’t occur on the Ramapo Fault zone, highlighting just how hard it is to predict the phenomenon from occurring. The Ramapo Fault zone is a series of small fault lines that runs through New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Spanning more than 185 miles, it was formed about 200 million years ago.
“Right now it’s a seismological mystery,” Ebel said. “We have some earthquakes in our region where we don’t have faults mapped. But that’s even true in California. Not every earthquake occurs on a known or mapped fault in California, so there are still a lot of seismologists have to learn about the exact relationship between old faults and modern earthquakes.”
Ebel noted that buildings aren’t the only thing to consider when earthquakes strike. In the California quakes, overpasses crumbled while the electrical grid can go down too, causing electrical surges and fires.
Toxic chemicals were knocked off of the shelves of a chemistry building in 1989 and the building had to be evacuated, Ebel said.
“And you think about hospitals and some industrial facilities having that situation,” he explained. “So you have these things that are not catastrophic necessarily, but are going to be a real problem.”
And an earthquake doesn’t necessarily have to rattle land in order to cause destruction.
A jolt out at sea could trigger a dangerous tsunami, like the one on the edge of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland in Canada in 1929. It was felt as far away as New York City.
Waves as high as 23 feet crashed on the shore, according to the International Tsunami Information Center, with up to 28 people losing their lives.
“A tsunami is not necessarily a very high probability event, but it’s one that we have to think about also,” Ebel says in relation to the East Coast.
The Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 was triggered by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Ebel says a tsunami similar to 1929 could cause a storm surge along the lines of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, where 43 people died in New York City.
“The threat of an earthquake is not as great as in California, but it’s something that we have to take into account and have emergency plans for and have building codes for,” Ebel says. “Our state and local emergency management agencies in all the northeastern states do earthquake planning — what we call tabletop exercises — where they pretend an earthquake occurs.”
“So those kinds of preparations are made on a regular basis,” he concludes. “Building codes are constantly being reevaluated and approved, not just for earthquakes, but for fires and chemical spills and all kinds of things. So we’re getting more prepared all the time.”
[Fox News] Get a handle on your time: Google Calendar tips and tricks
Before we get into it, I’ll acknowledge what you may be thinking: Using Calendar means handing over even more info to Google.
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SEE WHAT THE HOME YOU GREW UP IN LOOKS LIKE NOW AND OTHER MAPS TRICKS
Sure, but here’s my take: For the sake of convenience, most of us choose a Big Tech company or two that we’re OK sharing a lot with. If you use Gmail and Google Maps, adding Calendar to the mix won’t make much difference in terms of privacy.
Here are some ideas to get the most out of it
Spoiler: A lot more than just meetings and dentist appointments. And yes, you can definitely use you preferred calendar app for all these things too, if Google isn’t your thing.
Let’s get to the tricks
FIX AUTOCORRECT IF IT’S DRIVING YOU DUCKING CRAZY
A little know-how goes a long way in getting more out of your everyday software.
Know when people are free: I use this daily at work. Put your cursor in the box labeled Search for people under the Meet with heading. Everybody in your organization should be searchable here, so no more setting meetings no one can attend. You can also create a new meeting, add guests and click Find a time under the date to see the attendees’ availability side by side!
WATCH OUT FOR THE NEW ‘GHOST HACKERS’
Automatically share meeting minutes: In your meeting details, click Create meeting notes under the event description to generate a Google Doc that automatically gets shared with attendees. It includes a built-in outline with the meeting date, attendees, notes and action items. Pro tip: Attach additional notes, docs, slides or whatever else to the meeting so no one’s looking around for them later!
Never miss a beat: When setting an appointment, simply click Add Notification. Choose how long before the event you’d like to be reminded. Boom! Whether it’s 10 minutes or a day in advance, Google Calendar’s got your back. No more oops moments.
You know I have more amazing tips up my sleeve. Get more Google Cal secrets.
Get tech-smarter on your schedule
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
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[Fox News] This off-road teardrop trailer adds luxury camping to the most remote locations
Are you looking for a camper that breaks away from the conventional teardrop design and blends functionality with sleek aesthetics? Meet the Kimberley Kube.
This innovative camper challenges the norms with its unique rectangular profile, flat roofline and vertical rear end.
By integrating the smooth composite construction of Kimberley’s Kruiser line with the enclosed form of the Karavan, the Kube offers a compact yet surprisingly spacious design.
Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a long adventure, the Kube brings a fresh perspective to teardrop campers, providing eye-catching design without sacrificing space or functionality.
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True to Kimberley’s heritage of robust, trail-ready caravans, the Kube is not just another pretty face. It’s built to tackle the harshest of terrains, equipped with a molded thermoplastic-composite body shell, a 100% recycled ArmaPET plastic floor and a sturdy hot-dipped galvanized steel chassis.
Complementing its tough build are 16-inch steel wheels, custom air springs, off-road racing mono-tube shocks and hydraulic override disc brakes, ensuring that it can handle even the most challenging off-road conditions.
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Stepping inside the Kube, one is greeted by an interior that rivals a well-appointed hotel room. The trailer stretches 17 feet, providing ample space for a king-sized bed positioned within a mini-greenhouse setup that offers 270-degree views through three large windows and an additional skylight.
Storage is ingeniously integrated around and under the bed, ensuring that every inch of space is utilized. The front of the cabin includes a full-width console with storage solutions and an 85-L upright fridge/freezer, enhancing both convenience and comfort.
Kimberley understands that camping is about engaging with the outdoors. The Kube features a slide-out outdoor kitchen accessible from a hatch at the rear, equipped with a dual-burner stove, sink and dedicated prep area.
This kitchen setup allows for comfortable outdoor dining under the awning, facilitated further by a stainless steel breakfast table that attaches to the kitchen unit.
Additionally, the Kube offers the luxury of hot showers, thanks to a Webasto diesel water heater, with the option to add an ensuite shower/toilet tent for complete privacy.
25 CAMPING ESSENTIALS YOU NEED FOR VENTURING OUT INTO THE WOODS
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The Kube is prepared for any adventure with advanced technology integrations, such as a 200-Ah lithium battery, extensive LED lighting, optional solar charging and Starlink satellite internet prep.
The inclusion of modern comforts such as air conditioning, an onboard audio/video setup and the ability to stay connected via superfast 4G and GPS technology makes the Kube a standout in its class.
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MORE: TOP TECH YOU NEED ON RV ROAD TRIPS
With prices starting at approximately $44,675, the Kimberley Kube offers a unique blend of luxury, functionality and ruggedness, making it an ideal choice for adventurers who refuse to compromise on comfort and style.
Whether exploring remote landscapes or enjoying a weekend getaway, the Kube promises an unmatched camping experience. It truly stands out as the “King of the Off-Road.” It’s a trailblazing camper that promises both the thrill of the journey and the pleasures of home, wherever you may roam.
What additional features or customizations would you like to see in future models of the Kimberley Kube? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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[Fox Business] UPenn, Columbia, NYU presidents making millions
The ongoing antisemitic protests at elite colleges and universities around the country amid the war between Israel and the terror group Hamas has roiled campuses as spring terms continue and graduation season nears.
Unauthorized encampments and other demonstrations have sprung up at many campuses around the country, with Fox News research finding that such protests have occurred at over half of the top 50 colleges in the country since April 17.
The campus unrest puts leaders of both public and private colleges in a challenging position, with some looking to address public safety needs and restore calm on campus to avoid escalating the situation – even as the unrest causes some university donors to reconsider their future support based on the college’s response.
College presidents often earn well over $1 million annually in compensation, although those figures may vary based on the size and stature of the institution. Private institutions also disclose compensation differently than their public counterparts, and a report from The Chronicle of Higher Education (CHE) analyzed the highest paid private university presidents in 2021.
EXPENSIVE COLUMBIA, YALE TUITION COMES WITH ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS
Here is a look at how much the highest paid private university presidents earned that year, per the Chronicle’s report.
Then-UPenn President Amy Gutmann earned nearly $22.9 million in 2021, according to the Chronicle’s analysis. That featured about $1.6 million in base pay, plus a $1 million bonus with the more than $20 million remainder coming from deferred compensation and investment gains.
When compared to corporate CEOs, Gutmann’s compensation that year would have made her the 68th highest-paid CEO of a S&P 500 company in 2023, according to the Wall Street Journal’s rankings. Gutmann departed UPenn in 2022 as the school’s longest-serving president in history for an appointment as the U.S. ambassador to Germany in the Biden administration.
UPenn currently has an interim president after Gutmann’s successor, Liz Magill, stepped down from the role in December amid a controversy over her congressional testimony on antisemitism.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY’S ANTISEMITISM CHAOS PROMPTS CALLS FOR TUITION REFUNDS
Then-Columbia President Lee Bollinger earned nearly $3.9 million in compensation in 2021 per the CHE report, including a base salary of $1.6 million, other compensation of more than $1 million plus a $700,000 bonus and nearly half a million dollars in benefits. That sum would have ranked 400th among S&P 500 CEOs in 2023 per the Journal’s rankings.
Bollinger stepped down as Columbia’s president in June 2023. His successor in the role is Minouche Shafik.
Then-NYU President Andrew Hamilton earned a little more than $3.5 million in 2021 per the CHE analysis, which was mostly in the form of base pay with nearly $213,000 in benefits. That sum would have ranked 401st among S&P 500 CEOs per the Journal’s 2023 rankings.
Hamilton stepped down as NYU president in July 2023 and was succeeded by Linda Mills.
USC President Carol Folt earned nearly $3.5 million in 2021 according to the CHE report, which included over $1.4 million in base pay plus a $900,000 bonus and a little more than $1.1 million in other compensation. That sum would have ranked 402nd among S&P 500 CEOs per the Journal’s 2023 rankings.
Folt, the first female president of USC, has served in the role since 2019.
ANTISEMITIC PROTESTS FORCE HARVARD, CAL POLY HUMBOLDT TO IMPLEMENT CLOSURES, COLUMBIA GOES HYBRID
Then-Chicago President Robert Zimmer earned over $3.4 million in 2021 per CHE, with about $1.4 million in base pay, over $1.7 million in bonus pay and most of the remainder in other compensation. That sum would have ranked 403rd among S&P 500 CEOs per the Journal’s 2023 rankings.
Zimmer served as the Chicago president from 2006 to 2021, when the university established a chancellor role that he served in for one academic year before the role was eliminated in 2022. The CHE report noted that Zimmer did not serve as the university’s chief executive role for the full year.
[Fox Business] Biden vows to let Trump-era tax cuts expire next year, meaning higher rates for millions
President Biden vowed to let massive components of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire next year if he wins re-election, meaning that millions of Americans could soon face steeper tax bills.
“Donald Trump was very proud of his $2 trillion tax cut that overwhelmingly benefited the wealthy and biggest corporations and exploded the federal debt,” Biden tweeted Tuesday. “That tax cut is going to expire. If I’m reelected, it’s going to stay expired.”
Enacted by former President Donald Trump in 2017, the law drastically overhauled the nation’s tax code, including reducing the top individual income tax bracket to 37% from 39.6% and nearly doubling the size of the standard deduction.
However, those changes to the individual section of the tax code are poised to sunset in 2025, meaning that many taxpayers – including those who earn less than $400,000 – will face steeper levies if the law is not extended.
BIDEN ISSUES NEW RULE TO CRACK DOWN ON BAD RETIREMENT ADVICE
“If lawmakers allow full expiration to occur, most Americans will see their personal tax bills rise and incentives for working and investing worsen,” said Erica York, senior economist and research director at the Tax Foundation.
In addition to lowering the top tax bracket for wealthy Americans, the Trump-era law raised the thresholds for several income tax brackets – essentially lowering the liability for many households.
The individual income tax brackets in 2017, before Trump’s tax law took effect.
REMOTE WORKERS FACE A DOUBLE TAXATION THREAT
The individual income tax brackets in 2024, under current tax law.
The expiration of the tax law on Dec. 31, 2025, will essentially mean that many Americans will be forced to pay anywhere between 1% to 4% more in taxes unless certain provisions are extended or made permanent, according to the Tax Foundation.
BIDEN TRAILS TRUMP IN MOST BATTLEGROUND STATES AS VOTERS SOUR ON THE US ECONOMY
The matter is likely to be a source of contention during the general election. Trump has pledged to make the tax cuts permanent if he is re-elected in November. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen previously suggested that Biden would seek to retain the tax reductions for Americans earning less than $400,000 during a second term in the White House,
A White House official told FOX Business that Biden’s tweet reiterates what is in the president’s budget – that tax cuts would expire for those earning more than $400,000, but stay in place for lower- and middle-income Americans earning less than $400,000.
The problem, however, is that the Congressional Budget Office estimates extending the TCJA would add roughly $3.7 trillion to the federal budget deficit.
The original law was partially paid for by the so-called SALT deduction cap, which limits the amount of state and local taxes that Americans can deduct from their federal taxes to $10,000. That cap is also poised to end in 2025.
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However, the SALT cap as a revenue generator has lost some potency since 2017, thanks to fresh workarounds.
“Though lawmakers may not address the looming expirations this year, they should prepare for the upcoming expiration by weighing the trade-offs of each change the 2017 tax law made,” York said. “Lawmakers should cement into law a tax code that promotes growth and opportunity without worsening U.S. debt.”
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[Fox News] USC closes campus ‘until further notice’ following anti-Israel protest, 93 arrested for trespassing
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[WBALTV] Colleges nationwide turn to police to end pro-Palestine protests as commencement ceremonies near
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[Baltimore Sun] Westminster High students learn Fosse and all that jazz for ‘Chicago’ this weekend
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