r/interesting • u/HomeNowWTF • 22d ago

NATURE Experiencing an earthquake in an airport

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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/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/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.