| In 1906, the residents of San Francisco, California, had | | | | experience, soil liquefaction where buildings literally sink |
| an abrupt change of lifestyle. They learned that almost | | | | into the earth, and massive tsunamis. Because the |
| anything can happen without warning. An earthquake | | | | damage they do is enduring, they also leave high risks |
| killed about 3,000 people and caused over $400 million | | | | for disease in their wake as people try to find potable |
| in property damages. In 1920, the Gansu earthquake in | | | | water to drink and dry, safe places to sleep and live. |
| China took about 200,000 lives. Then in 1948, the region | | | | People who live in high-probability earthquake zones |
| around Ashgabat in the Soviet Union suffered a | | | | must live each day as it comes, knowing that their |
| powerful quake that claimed over two-thirds of that | | | | fragile lives could be over in an instant. Knowing that |
| city's population (110,000 people died). | | | | tragedy can strike at any time, they prepare for it. |
| About Earthquakes | | | | Technology specialist Jason lives near the Marina, the |
| The most powerful earthquake ever recorded | | | | most high-risk area in his city. He accepts graciously |
| happened in 1960 in Chile. Registering 9.5 on the | | | | the fact that living there is a risk, but he always stores |
| Moment magnitude scale, it created a tsunami that | | | | basic supplies for that inevitable crisis. He keeps |
| swept the entire Pacific Ocean. In 1972, 90% of the | | | | several gallons of fresh water, portable food packs, |
| city of Managua, Nicaragua, was destroyed by a | | | | extra flashlights and batteries, and several |
| midnight earthquake that killed over 10,000 people. | | | | thing-a-magics that would overwhelm the |
| Then in 1985, the Great Mexican Earthquake struck, | | | | technologically-challenged. |
| killing as many as 30,000 people, most of whom were | | | | Earthquake Safety Tips |
| never found. In 1989, San Francisco and surrounding | | | | * Duck. Stay off heavy objects that may fall. Find an |
| areas experienced the "World Series Quake." | | | | open area or stand in a doorway. |
| In 2003, the Bam Citadel, the largest adobe structure in | | | | * If you can't get out of the building, seek protection |
| the world and built before 500 B.C. was almost | | | | under a heavy table. |
| completely destroyed, together with 70% of the city of | | | | * If you're driving when the earthquake strikes, stay |
| Bam and 70,000 residents. | | | | inside your car. |
| Most of them happen along what is known as the | | | | * If you're in a mall or store, move away from shelving |
| circum-Pacific seismic belt or the "Pacific Ring of Fire" | | | | and other movable objects. |
| bounding the Pacific tectonic plate. With high-population | | | | * In theaters and stadiums, duck under your seat and |
| cities like Mexico City, Tehran, and Tokyo growing in | | | | wait until the mob has largely left the area. Don't get |
| areas of high risk, it is possible that a future earthquake | | | | caught up in the panic-filled crowds. |
| could take as many as 3 million lives. | | | | Another Word of Advice |
| It's hard to understand why people insist on living in | | | | Being well-prepared, having a plan of action, is the best |
| earthquake-prone areas like San Francisco and the | | | | way to prepare to survive an earthquake. Lacking this |
| mountains of central and South America. But in fact, | | | | comfortable knowledge, you are more likely to panic |
| earthquakes are a common phenomenon, small ones | | | | and make deadly mistakes. |
| happening somewhere in the world every day. | | | | Know where strong, stable structures are that may |
| Characterized by shaking and ruptures in the land, | | | | provide shelter. Avoid areas of poor construction or |
| earthquakes also cause dangerous avalanches and | | | | materials. Stay calm. Stay alert. Things change very |
| landslides, fires like the terrible 1906 San Francisco | | | | quickly, and you should be ready to respond. |