How to Survive an Earthquake (Hint: Less is More)
Scientists have now determined that the chance of one or more maginitude 6.7 or larger quakes happening in California over the next 30 years is 99.7%. That is to say, it’s definitely going to happen. Put it on your calendar, and start shopping for shoes.
So then what? Earthquake survival is not intuitive. Running outside (which some research has shown men might be more likely to do than women) is a bad idea. Doorways are not necessarily the sweet spot we once thought they were. And after the shaking stops, turning off the gas to your house may not always be the best way to go.
In other words, the best things to do are not what you might expect—or what you might vaguely remember from your 5th grade health class. For a quick refresher, try taking this smart little quiz. (Warning: The intro music is so annoying that I actually think it might be meant to simulate the stress of a real quake. Save yourself! Turn down your volume. The test is worth it.) handy quiz. (With thanks to Tenrec for providing a new link and quiz to replace the old, now-defunct one.)
mike said on November 14, 2008 at 9:24 am
One thing I found interesting was the wave effect in buildings over a certain height- I think it was seven stories. Buildings above and below that height have a better ability to withstand an earthquake-maybe this is a lot of malarkey. In Turkey, the design of most residential apartment building seems to be purposefully dangerous- and I am not speaking of cement. For example, the ground floors of many buildings are quite open to allowing for a market or some kind of other commercial use. There is generally a minimum of supporting walls on the ground floor and so, even in moderate earthquake the whole structure can flop over like a undercooked wedding cake.
For anybody who has not traveled much, it comes as a shock to realize the inequality of the standard value of individual human life. I wonder what causes that exactly inbalance?
Tenrec said on December 25, 2010 at 2:57 pm
The link to the quiz no longer works. Is there any other source available?
When I was in a mild Pacific NW earthquake, I did just the wrong thing. Is that because I am a man? I teach classes as a volunteer and at the start of the class we are supposed to go over what to do if an emergency happens. (Earthquake is the most likely risk.) After reading your book I realized that my preparation caution was a bit perfunctory and casual. The next time I teach my class, I will 1) recommend your book to all the students and 2) find ways to have the students take the preparation more seriously.
Tenrec said on December 25, 2010 at 3:06 pm
I found another source (I think is correct) for the earthquake quiz:
http://www.survival-quiz.com/?page_id=706
The web site above has a number of other disaster quizzes. In view of the subject matter of your book, this may be a useful link for you to add to your web site. (I have no connection to the web site and no commercial reason for promoting it.)
Amanda said on December 27, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Thanks, Tenrec, for the working link! I’ll insert it in the blog post as well. Appreciate the help!