29 Apr
2007
29 Apr
'07
3:02 p.m.
On 29 Apr 2007 at 22:37, Andrew Burton wrote:
I'm not sure we get any earthquake training in
schools here, though I
think it would be a good idea. We may not get many of them here in the
UK, but it would be useful for when people are on holiday in the US or
Japan (or anywhere else that gets earthquakes). I recall being told at
school (about 12 years ago) that the safest place was in a doorway. Is
that still thought to be true?
As one who sat in his second-floor office watching the furniture
waltz around the room during the Loma Prieta quake in 1989, I'd
advise crawling under a desk instead of standing in a doorway. While
technically, a doorway offers some structural protection, you're more
likely to get hit by objects and window glass flying around the room--
and that 7-foot-tall bookcase is quite apt to fall on you.
I managed to get outside sometime just after the main shock wave and
was rewarded with seeing ground waves ripple along the ground as if I
were on water.
Speaking of water, it's a good idea to make sure that your home water
heater is firmly strapped to the wall (along with tall bits of
furniture).
4.5 probably wouldn't even interrupt mealtime conversation in some
California areas.
Cheers,
Chuck