Recently, a massive earthquake with a magnitude over 7 struck Venezuela, resulting in a horrific disaster with around 1,700 fatalities.

The entire city shook, and buildings collapsed in an instant due to the double shockwaves, while rescue teams tirelessly searched through the rubble for survivors.

It's heartbreaking that such a catastrophic event has received relatively little coverage in international news.

Reports suggest that there are 50,000 missing persons buried under the rubble, and the death toll is expected to rise significantly.

On the same day, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake rattled Northern California.

Some might say, "A 5.6 isn't that big of an earthquake, right?"

However, this quake occurred between Ukiah and Willits in Mendocino County, north of San Francisco.

But when I saw the supermarket CCTV footage, the shelves shook violently like toys and then collapsed to the floor in an instant.

The sound of shattering debris and the sight of shoppers screaming and fleeing was pure terror.

Over 8,000 residents were plunged into darkness due to power outages, and as aftershocks continued, they spent the night in fear.

Fortunately, the U.S. 'Earthquake Early Warning System (ShakeAlert)' worked well this time, sending out millions of alerts to cell phones.

Even a few seconds of warning can allow people to take cover under tables or turn off gas, so it was a silver lining amidst the misfortune.

Experts clarify that the earthquakes in Venezuela, Japan, and California occurred on different fault lines, so there is no direct causal relationship.

But how can we control our feelings?

For residents of California, who live near the world's most dangerous active fault, the San Andreas Fault, it's hard not to feel a sense of dread.

When talking to long-time residents in LA, they all express a common sentiment.

"Minor quakes of 4 or 5 happen regularly, but the uncertainty of when the Big One will strike is unsettling."

This recent Northern California earthquake passed without major incident, but it does not grant a license to feel safe.

The tragedy in Venezuela is not just a distant story in the news.

Earthquakes can be more frightening when everything seems calm, rather than when they make a loud noise and shake.

The pressure of thinking, 'It's about time...' constantly weighs on the mind.

Today, I realize how grateful and precious this ordinary day is, passing without incident.

For those reading this, how about checking your emergency supplies (water, canned goods, flashlights, etc.) once again today?