New Comic Book to Educate Teenagers About Earthquakes

The Oregon Office of Emergency Management and Dark Horse Comics just released a new comic book titled, “Without Warning,” aimed at teaching earthquake preparedness to teenagers. The comic book is the result of collaboration between the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW), OEM, and Dark Horse Comics.

“Most public education publications are not interesting to kids,” said Althea Rizzo, Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator, for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. “This comic book allows us to reach a new audience not often targeted in preparedness materials.”

“Without Warning” is a story about a girl who lives on the Oregon Coast and is trying to reunite with her family after a major Cascadia Earthquake. It is a 12 page full color comic addressing what can happen in the aftermath of major earthquake and tsunami.

Oregon is located in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600 hundred mile earthquake fault stretching from offshore Northern California to Southern British Columbia. Experts predict a large 9.0 or higher earthquake could strike Oregon at any time.

“We know the risk is there, making our job of spreading the message of preparedness that much more important,” said Rizzo. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with Dark Horse Comics and release the comic book.”

“Without Warning” is available for free download on mobile devices here. Printed copies are available through the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.

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For more information, contact OEM: Kim Lippert or Cory Grogan 503-378-2911 ext. 22283