Earthquake Myths

MYTH #1: ” Big Earthquakes Always Happen in the Early Morning!”

Earthquakes happen at all times of the day.

Myth #2 – “Earthquake faults can open wide enough to swallow people and buildings!”

Gaping faults exist only in fiction. During an earthquake, the ground moves across a fault, not away from it. If the fault could open, there would be no friction. If there was no friction, there would be no earthquakes.

Myth #3 – “California will split apart from the United States and sink into the ocean!”

Western California is moving horizontally along the San Andreas fault (the land on both sides of the fault are converging and getting closer together), and up around the Transverse ranges (mountains to the northeast of the LA basin).  The ocean is not a great hole into which the state can fall, but is itself land at a somewhat lower elevation with water above it.

Myth #4 – “We must have good buildings because we have good building codes!”

What if buildings were built before a code was enacted?   Check if  your building has been retrofitted.

Myth #5 – “Go for the doorway when an earthquake strikes!”

Modern homes are built so that doorways are no safer than any other part of the house.  You are much safer under a table.

Myth #6 – “Everyone will panic during the big one!”

Research shows that people are prone to protect themselves and help others during and after earthquakes.

Myth #7 – “The weather is hot and dry and that means  Earthquake!

Earthquakes start many kilometers below the region affected by surface weather.

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Earthquake Safety Steps

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

These steps were developed by members of the Earthquake Country Alliance and are based on many existing resources and the advice of many organizations.  Earthquake Country Alliance member have specific things they need to do before, during, and after an earthquake so as to reduce earthquake damage and injuries, and to speed recovery.  But, you need to do your part.

1.  Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.

2.  Create a disaster-preparedness plan.

3.  Prepare disaster supplies kits.

4.  Identify your building’s potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.

5.   Protect yourself during earthquake shaking- drop, cover, and hold on.

6.   After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage.

7.  When safe, continue to follow your disaster preparedness plan.

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During an Earthquake

Clix (sxc.hu)

What to Do During an Earthquake

 Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake.  Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur.  Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

 If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.  If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes.  Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall.  In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.  Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

  If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.  The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls.  Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls.  Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury.  Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

 If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.  Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped.  Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

 If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you.  Use a whistle if one is available.  Shout only as a last resort.  Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

www.fema.gov

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After an Earthquake

What to Do After an Earthquake

 Expect aftershocks.   These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

 Listen to a battery-operated radio or television.  Listen for the latest emergency information.

 Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

 Open cabinets cautiously.  Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

 Stay away from damaged areas.  Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

 Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas.  These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

 Help injured or trapped persons.  Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.  Give first aid where appropriate.  Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.  Call for help.

.Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.  Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.

 Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage.  Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.

 Inspect utilities.

 Check for gas leaks.  If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building.  Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.  If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

Look for electrical system damage.  If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.  If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

Check for sewage and water lines damage.  If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber.  If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap.  You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

www.fema.gov

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