Having lived through the Northridge quake, I can share this perspective.
All our perceptions of life are based on underlying assumptions on how the universe works. A basic human assumption is that terra firma is firma.
When the round shakes like you are inside a giant jackhammer (the SOUND was unbelievable) all of a sudden you are disassociated with all reality. Nothing makes any sense and you feel like the smallest most insignificant thing in the world. The terror is visceral and atavistic. You become a savage cowering from the lightening - civilization means nothing for those few moments that last forever.
I recommend everyone avoid earthquakes.
Since this is a fairly long piece, here are the “fact,” “fiction,” and similar headings, in case anyone wants a quick look at what’s in the entire piece:
FACT: Earthquakes are sudden rolling or shaking events caused by movement under the Earth’s surface.
FICTION: “Mega Quakes” can really happen.
FICTION: Earthquakes only occur on the West Coast in the United States.
FICTION: The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was the deadliest ever.
PARTIALLY FACT: California has the most earthquakes in the United States.
FACT: Earthquakes can occur near the surface or deep below the surface.
FICTION: The ground can open up during an earthquake.
FICTION: California will eventually fall into the ocean.
FICTION: An earthquake on the San Andreas fault can cause a large tsunami.
PARTIALLY FACT: An “Aftershock” can be greater than the initial earthquake.
NOT LIKELY: Two major earthquakes occurred on the same day, so they must be related.
PARTIALLY FACT: People can cause earthquakes.
FICTION: People can stop earthquakes.
FICTION: Nuclear explosions can start or stop earthquakes.
FICTION: You can prevent large earthquakes by making lots of small ones, or by “lubricating” the fault with water.
FICTION: We can predict earthquakes.
FICTION: Animals can predict earthquakes.
MAYBE: Some people can sense that an earthquake is about to happen.
FICTION: It’s been raining a lot, or very hot—it must be earthquake weather!
NOT LIKELY: The Golden Gate Bridge, Seattle Space Needle and other buildings will all eventually fall during an earthquake.
FACT: Earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings and their contents do.
FICTION: During an earthquake you should head for the doorway.
FICTION: Everyone will panic during the Big One.
FICTION: You can’t plan ahead for an earthquake.
FACT: The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research to better forecast the effects of potentially damaging earthquakes throughout the United States and mitigate their effects.
