r/interesting • u/HomeNowWTF • 22d ago

NATURE Experiencing an earthquake in an airport

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u/lexicats 22d ago

Agree - I’ve been in several earthquakes not only is it a shock, but also if it is a violent one you may not have a choice what to do because the ground throws you around. Also a lot of people aren’t taught what to do if they’re not from earthquake prone places.

If anyone reading this wants to know what the recommended advice is - try and get into a doorway, or under a table. If you aren’t near either of those, get low to the ground (next to a bigger stable object is best) and cover your head with your arms to protect it. If there are windows , try to angle your face away from it.

Sometimes you have time and presence to react, sometimes you don’t. I’ve been with people who freeze or run towards danger during a quake, but what is the point in judging when they’re obviously in shock? Instead you help them stay safe if you can

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u/HappyTendency 22d ago

Yes, and not to mention that whenever an earthquake starts it takes a while for you to process what’s happening. You don’t automatically think “earthquake.” I’ve lived through short earthquakes where I literally thought something must have exploded nearby, like a car or something. That was my first initial thought and then it hit me it was an earthquake. You don’t really expect earthquakes to just happen. In this situation, my first thought would have probably been a bomb nearby since it’s an airport.