In 1906, the residents of San Francisco, California, had an abrupt change in lifestyle. They learned that almost anything can happen without warning. An earthquake killed about 3,000 people and caused more than $400 million in property damage. In 1920, the Gansu earthquake in China claimed some 200,000 lives. Then, in 1948, the region around Ashgabat in the Soviet Union suffered a powerful earthquake that claimed more than two-thirds of that city’s population (110,000 people died).

About earthquakes

The most powerful earthquake ever recorded occurred in 1960 in Chile. Registering 9.5 on the Moment magnitude scale, it created a tsunami that swept across the entire Pacific Ocean. In 1972, 90% of the city of Managua, Nicaragua, was destroyed by a midnight earthquake that killed more than 10,000 people. Then, in 1985, the Great Mexico Earthquake struck, killing an estimated 30,000 people, most of whom were never found. In 1989, San Francisco and the surrounding area experienced the “World Series earthquake.”

In 2003, the Citadel of Bam, the largest mud-brick structure in the world and built before 500 B.C. C., was almost completely destroyed, along with 70% of the city of Bam and 70,000 inhabitants.

Most of them occur along what is known as the circum-Pacific earthquake belt or the “Pacific Ring of Fire” that borders the Pacific tectonic plate. With highly populated cities like Mexico City, Tehran and Tokyo growing in high-risk areas, it is possible that a future earthquake could claim up to 3 million lives.

It’s hard to understand why people insist on living in earthquake-prone areas like San Francisco and the mountains of Central and South America. But in fact, earthquakes are a common phenomenon, small ones that occur somewhere in the world every day. Characterized by shaking and rupture in the earth, earthquakes also cause dangerous avalanches and landslides, fires like the San Francisco ordeal of 1906, ground liquefaction where buildings literally sink into the earth, and massive tsunamis. Because the damage they cause is long-lasting, they also leave a high risk of disease in their wake, as people try to find clean water to drink and dry, safe places to sleep and live.

People who live in areas with a high probability of earthquakes must live each day as it comes, knowing that their fragile lives could end in an instant. Knowing that tragedy can strike at any moment, they prepare for it.

Jason, a technology specialist, lives near the Marina, the highest risk area of ​​his city. He kindly accepts the fact that living there is risky, but he always stocks up on basic supplies for that inevitable crisis. He keeps several gallons of fresh water, portable food packs, extra flashlights and batteries, and various magical things that would overwhelm the tech-challenged.

Earthquake Safety Tips

*Duck. Stay away from heavy objects that could fall. Find an open area or stand in a doorway.

* If you can’t get out of the building, take cover under a heavy table.

* If you are driving when the earthquake occurs, stay in your car.

* If you are in a mall or store, stay away from shelves and other moving objects.

* In theaters and stadiums, duck under your seat and wait until the crowd has cleared the area. Don’t get caught up in the panicked crowds.

other advice

Being well prepared, having a plan of action, is the best way to prepare to survive an earthquake. Lacking this comfortable knowledge, you are more likely to panic and make deadly mistakes.

Know where strong, stable structures are that can provide shelter. Avoid areas of poor construction or materials. Keep calm. Stay alert. Things change very quickly and you must be ready to respond.