r/interesting • u/HomeNowWTF • 22d ago

NATURE Experiencing an earthquake in an airport

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642

u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 22d ago

Word to the wise:

In an earthquake, if you're RIGHT near an exit, get outside.

Otherwise, just find something structural to hold up near--and preferably a table or something to get under.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, run through a building to get outside.

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u/SnowDin556 22d ago

What if you Tom Cruise run?

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 22d ago

Well, that's different.

Everyone knows nothing bad can happen to him when he's running.

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u/IsSuperGreen 21d ago

Actually an explosion might go off behind you and lift you into the air in slow motion- but you'll be fine.

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u/ttcmzx 21d ago

that's perfect, just gets you out of the building faster

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u/Masterking263 21d ago

Ah yes, thats true. Everybody knows getting lifted off the ground by an explosion is like getting scooped up gently and dropped without fall damage.

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u/BeefyQueefyCletus 22d ago

Maybe a broken foot?

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u/GGnerd 21d ago

Ya but he did that jumping, not sure if it counts as running

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u/abgry_krakow87 21d ago

Naruto run.

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u/Aromatic-Monster 21d ago

Came here to say this hahah

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u/EnriquezGuerrilla 21d ago

First thing I saw was that Naruto run

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u/Minimum-Attitude389 21d ago

Or that one person at the beginning doing the Naruto run?

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u/brachus12 21d ago

or Naruto Run like that first person

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u/Apero_ 22d ago

Thanks for this. I grew up in Australia which is not near any fault lines so we never learned this stuff as kids!

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 22d ago

Happy to help! I had to learn this the hard way through a couple of experiences:

- 6.7 mag in Afghanistan. The sleeping huts we were in were made of plywood--we had no idea what to do.

- 6.6 mag in Maryland. Very unusual for this area, but I was working in a 3 story building which housed like 5000 people. We had cameras all around the building, when it happened, everyone sort of looked around to see what TF to do. There were people who went hysterical and started running for the exits. Luckily, I knew a guy from SoCal who was like "find a doorway or get under your desk...it's fine." The next day, we had an "all hands" meeting, where they showed the security footage of one of the main exit doors--when the camera started shaking, a few people walked out, bewildered, then a stampede of hysteria followed--like 3500 people just streamed out of the doors--people got trampled, it was a whole thing. The safety officer hosting the all hands ended the video, and was like "this is an excellent example of what NOT to do!" and then for the next hour, we got daddied on what to do next time.

Like and subscribe for more disaster reaction tips!

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u/stephy1771 21d ago

Just for the record, if you’re referring to the 2011 earthquake that was centered in Virginia, that was 5.8!

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u/Elegant-Cricket8106 21d ago

I was in Virginia for that! It didn't seem that bad? I was on the phone with the friend and my condolences was shaking. It was over so fast.

I was interning and am from Canada never experienced any type of earthquake.

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u/stephy1771 21d ago

It was slightly bad for some older buildings mostly near the epicenter, plus like the National Cathedral and Washington Monument. I knew someone whose wedding got postponed b/c the church got condemned!

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u/waynofish 20d ago

I had to check after his post and the largest in MD was like a 2.8 so I checked to see where there were other Marylands in the world. I live on the eastern shore. But I know of several, but we never felt anything over here. Glad you said there was a 5.8 in VA.

Went through a 6.4 in Costa Rica one night and the aftershocks just came coming and coming for the next week or so. It was centered about 20 miles from where I was living and buckled the road quite a bit.

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u/FreshAd2338 20d ago

That 5.8 in VA was felt by us all the way up in Southern New Jersey. I was sitting at my computer at work when the shaking started. I went outside and there were people running from the other buildings. My wife, at the time, said the water was sloshing around in our pool. SURF'S UP DUDE!!!!!

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 21d ago

My memory could be fuzzy...but I recall it being later...you might be right though, without looking it up.

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u/accidentalhippie 20d ago

August 2011. I remember because I had a newborn and was home alone with her and the panic I felt has never been rivaled.😩

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 20d ago

Well, hopefully, the next time you're in that situation, you can be more at ease, having gone through it before.

When I moved into tornado country, I was deathly afraid every time the sirens went off. Then, I saw a neighborhood which had a direct strike from a pretty bad tornado--the houses were leveled. But when I started talking to neighbors and survivors, I realized that no one actually knew anyone who died--even houses that were leveled, they were like "when it got loud, we just piled in the bathtub, and a couple of minutes later, we got out...and our house was gone. It was oddly reassuring to know that my worst fear was...oddly survivable.

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u/footon00 20d ago

Even knowing what you just said. I would still probably rush for the exit unless I see it is already clogged by people. Chances of the whole house collapsing on you are 0 if you are outside.

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u/WorseDark 21d ago edited 21d ago

Interesting. I grew up in Alberta, Canada, which is near a fault line, but not one that produces "real" earthquakes. Never ever experienced one. But this has been drilled into my head through media consumed from hollywood since my upbringing.

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u/Drakkenfyre 21d ago

My experience is the same as yours. American media really gets the message home. I feel like I am really over prepared for an earthquake now.

Of course, 2022 I think there was a 5.6 up in Peace River. Cray cray. And one year ago I think there was a 4.2 in Lake Louise. But I looked online at the earthquake tracker and it looks like there have been zero earthquakes of magnitude 1.5 or greater in the last year here in Cowtown. But I'm ready!

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u/Altruistic-Mine-1848 21d ago

Portugal had a major one in 1755 and basically never again and we still learn what to do in school.

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u/HighlyImprobable42 21d ago

West coast US has earthquake drills in schools. Basically get under your tiny desk and hope nothing squashes you. 

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u/PuzzleheadedKey9444 20d ago

Get under something and protect your head and neck

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u/bedel99 20d ago

I have been in 2 earthquakes in Australia, the 'big' Newcastle one and then another much smaller one in Newcastle.

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u/eruesuji 21d ago

I’ve lived in earthquake-prone Japan the last 30 years. One of the first things we’re taught during earthquake drills, which companies, schools, etc. do annually, is DON’T run outside of a building. Many buildings have facade elements that may dislodge and fall, windows may be popping out from above, telephone lines may be falling, etc. What is optimal to do is highly dependent on one’s exact surroundings, but dashing outside as a first reaction is exactly what we’re taught NOT to do.

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u/someoneelse0826 21d ago

I appreciate this. But also, Japanese buildings are some of the most earthquake resistant in the world. Places like Columbia, not so much. Not saying your advice would not still be true - but there is definitely a difference in building quality

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u/Ok_Manufacturer9977 21d ago

As we are rating countries, I live in Florida, and compared with the concrete construction common in ColOmbia or the earthquake-engineered buildings in Japan, a lot of Florida construction is basically cardboard with a roof.  Drywall and lightweight framing are a very different beast when you’re talking about a major earthquake (yesterday's was 7.4 which, if you haven't lived in another country other than the US you don't know what I am talking about). I’m just glad we don’t have earthquakes in Florida, because I’m not sure some of these buildings would stand a chance

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u/[deleted] 21d ago

[deleted]

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u/Big-Honeydew-961 21d ago

Seriously, like it doesn’t matter what kind of building it is in Florida.  It would all be mud.

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u/Intelligent_Delay183 21d ago

Don't you get hurricanes in Florida though?

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u/laluLondon 20d ago

Colombian construction is actually quite good.

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u/nataliereed84 21d ago

I was in a diner once at the bottom of a condo tower in Vancouver BC where the building was so well designed that none of us inside even noticed the quake until the moments afterwards when we started getting text messages, and people walked in from outside all like “wow! that was intense!”

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u/nelleybeann 20d ago

Was this last year? I’m in the Fraser valley but we had one last year at some point and I had JUST fell asleep for a nap and my bed started shaking. I woke up ridiculously confused. First time I ever actually felt an earthquake here.

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u/nataliereed84 20d ago

Yeah it was pretty recent. It wasn’t a major quake, didn’t do any damage, but most of my friends felt it.

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u/No-Meaning-8498 20d ago

A number of people who died in the Christchurch earthquakes would have likely survived if they had stayed inside - they were hit by falling debris and masonry as they exited buildings.

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u/post_it1 21d ago

Agree - in New Zealand we shelter in place. People have been killed by falling masonry trying to leave buildings in earthquakes here. You should shelter under a table or at a stretch, a doorway. If you’re in bed, shelter on the floor next to your bed. Adopt the “turtle” pose, curled in a ball face down with your hands covering your neck

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u/No-Meaning-8498 20d ago

They no longer recommend getting in a doorway

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u/ConsiderationDue71 20d ago

A doorway can be dangerous if the door, especially a heavy one, slams shut and throws you across the room. Learned from direct observation.

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u/post_it1 20d ago

That’s why I said “at a stretch”. It’s better than standing in the middle of the room or near a window

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u/ConsiderationDue71 20d ago

No one cares other than a handful of us, but the reason I pointed it out was in my experience it’s bad advice. In fact it turns out it’s actually outdated and no longer recommended. In some cases explicitly listed as not to do, like New Zealand. Feel free to look it up if you care about such things.

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u/Choice_Scientist_545 21d ago

Well, you're wrong. I'm a redditor and saw another redditor say to run outside in an earthquake like 12 years ago. I'm sorry, I don't want to be racist against the japanese government or whoever taught you what to do in an earthquake, but what I saw in another reddit thread like 12 years ago is gospel. You need to stay up to date with what Redditors think if you want to get to heaven.

And again, I am not racist. Free Palestine.

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u/doomkun23 20d ago

Japan's buildings are built differently. they are really made for earthquakes. so you can really trust the buildings and stay inside. unlike for other countries, you can't trust them. that's why if you can go outside, do it and go on the open space not near to any buildings. if not, duck and hide.

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u/footon00 20d ago

In Japan, I would consider staying inside due to the strict building requirements. Anywhere else? Hell no. I would rather take the chance of getting hit by debris than getting crushed by the whole building.

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u/DenseReality6089 20d ago

Obviously if you cant run further than the vertical height of the building then dont run outside. 

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u/Trickypurplebluish 20d ago

I grow up in Mexico City and I learned the same, it depends where you are, if is easy and safe you go out, if you are in a building if you can go out you go out by the staircase if you are too high you go to the roof if is a huge building you go to the center and under the table or small room usually toilets are safe place in case the building falls. Is awful but you can survive.

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u/-DenisM- 21d ago

What if i naruto run through a building to get outside?

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u/snarkycrumpet 22d ago

I'm not running outside in an airport because what looks like outside is often just the roof of another building/tunnel/parking deck

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u/Alternative-Swim-183 21d ago edited 21d ago

Outside you have zero protection from flying debris. I know it’s peoples’ instincts to want to run outside (or just run around in general) but it’s not the right thing to do. “Finding something structural to hold up near, and preferably a table or something to get under” is all you can do. Then just hope for the best. Love, A California native

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u/lemonadekiss 21d ago

In the U.S. the advice is opposite - indoors is safer than outside with unstable ground and hazards

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u/Lyuseefur 21d ago

Plenty of folks run outside and get crushed by exploding concrete.

Earthquakes are the definition of damned if you do or don’t.

The Columbia video showed a bunch of people standing under power lines outside …

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u/Sentak_ 21d ago

Please if you're going to leave a building mid earthquake pay attention above.

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u/TamanduaGirl 21d ago

Growing up in California we had earthquake drills, which was just seeing how quickly we could hide under our desks and cover our heads, basically.

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u/Staminanow 21d ago

Do Not Run Outside. Unless being flattened by masonry or shredded by glass is your end game

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u/Simple_Campaign1035 21d ago

Why not ?  What happens id you try to get through the building to get outside ?

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 21d ago

You expose yourself to falling debris.

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u/Limp_Complaint1785 21d ago

what if you're the next hokage?

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u/nataliereed84 21d ago

Most of the crowd seem to be running towards pillars or supports, trying to get out of the big open area, which is the most dangerous.

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u/Waldo_King 21d ago

Sure, go outside and stand around the lighting poles running wire…reality is that it totally depends on surroundings. Sometimes indoors is safer, sometimes outdoors is safer.

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u/Liam_Cat 21d ago

What if tel aviv is in the airport?

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 21d ago

Get back on the plane.

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u/ffffllllpppp 21d ago

The answer I think is a bit more “it depends” than that IMHO.

Early tremors gradually increasing, might be good idea run outside if you can, even if there is some distance. Heavily depends on many factors including said distance.

Someone says don’t go outside due to other buildings facades. Again, depends on the makeup of the surroundings.

In those airport case, I don’t know. The pillar + table or something looks good until it the whole building collapses and you think “should have ran outside” because really probabilities are helpful but in the end if you care about only a single event things can go south even if the theoretical probabilities were on your side. The worse decision might end up being the best…

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u/BunnyMama9 21d ago

I grew up doing earthquake drills in school, so get to a doorway or under a table is pretty ingrained in me. I kept thinking, Stop running and get under a table! But I guess when you're panicking in an emergency situation the impulse to just get out is strong.

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 21d ago

Yeah, since we were never exposed to it, my guess is that the response was basically "emergency! get outside quick!" like in a fire drill.

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u/sensormaister 21d ago

Why not? You think the average person has any idea what place is structurally solid or not?

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 21d ago

You do you, homie. 👍

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u/noobsbane283 21d ago

Lots of people were killed/injured running outside of buildings in the Christchurch quake in 2011. Falling facades have that effect.

Absolutely do NOT run outside in a built-up area.

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u/HoneyBiscuitBear 20d ago

Thank you!!! As a lifelong CA resident, this video was wild!! Nobody ducking and covering. Nobody immediately going outside, that couple just standing right next to a glass wall window. I was like wth is happening here

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u/Paperwife2 20d ago

Those ppl standing relatively close to the tables the person filming were making me crazy just standing there holding on. Drop and cover!

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u/IndustryNecessary131 20d ago

Ye man if you cant leave get under any surface to avoid having debris crush you from above

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u/CuriousCat177 20d ago

Only if there’s a lot of clear space, otherwise you’re just standing in the open where falling debris or glass from broken windows could fall on you.

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u/illustriousgarb 20d ago

Fun fact: my husband's cousin was out on the ocean off the coast of Phuket during the 9.1-9.3 quake in the Indian Ocean, and the following tsunami. They had no idea it happened until they returned to shore and found their dad clinging to a tree in his underwear (he was fine, thankfully).

Turns out the safest place to be during a devastating earthquake is in the middle of the ocean. So... just be super lucky I guess.

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u/Frequent-Coyote-8108 20d ago

9!!? Holy hell!