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osiris775 t1_jbtb2v7 wrote

Over a minute? Why did you not exit the building?

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The_Price_Is_Right_B t1_jbtbt41 wrote

They were on the 26th floor and even if he went outside he would have been surrounded by high rises. Best to just sit tight.

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osiris775 t1_jbtd4zv wrote

Is that a common response? (Op, not you), because as a kid that grew up on the San Andreas Fault, they taught us to get under our desks. But if you get under something in an earthquake, you are burying yourself alive. The best place to be, in an earthquake is outdoors.
My instincts would have been to start heading down stairs.

Edit:down voted for my "instincts " having grown up in earthquake zone.

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aeouo t1_jbtlel3 wrote

We had the same advice to get under a desk growing up in Alaska

The main dangers in earthquakes are things falling on you or you falling over. Getting under a desk is good advice to prevent things from falling on you.

Trying to get outside during an earthquake is generally not great advice. The USGS says, "DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris."

After the 7.1 in Anchorage I looked things up and concluded that the best thing for me to do if an Earthquake happens at night is stay in bed, since there's nothing overhead in my room.

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osiris775 t1_jbv7p4f wrote

Interesting. Thank you for your replies. I never thought about over head debris, etc. I grew up in Cali. When ever we had earthquakes, I would go stand in the middle of the front yard, (home), or the playground, (school)

I've never been in an earthquake while 26 stories up, so I guess my thought process is a bit skewed.

Thanks for the reply. We all have something to learn.

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dack42 t1_jbwkkoc wrote

Out in the street is far more dangerous. The main hazard during an earthquake is falling debris. Hiding under a sturdy desk or table is a best. If that's not an option, keep away from anything that can fall and protect your head.

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