5 ms·

You generally don't have enough time to get into an open field, even if you aren't in a city. If you happen to be right next to one, odds are you're in a single

You generally don't have enough time to get into an open field, even if you aren't in a city. If you happen to be right next to one, odds are you're in a single-story building with few weights in the attic. When these buildings fall down the doorframes are often left standing. Plus if you're running out while the ground is shaking there's a significant chance that the unsupported ceiling will fall on you, the building wall will fall on you, the windows will be flexing and shattering, cutting you... Generally, standing in an interior doorway is a far safer move.

godelski 9y ago
I feel like you are disagreeing with me but also reiterating my point. You don't need to be in field in Kansas to be safe outside. If you're in the suburbs you have lawns, parking lots, or streets and there aren't windows above you. Obviously if you're in downtown LA or SF don't go outside. But there's a lot of people that don't live in, or aren't going to be in, an area with multi-story buildings completely surrounding them. You can easily get far enough away from a couple story building (parking lot) and be safe. That is much safer than inside said building. Here's the rule of thumb "If something can fall on you outside, go to a door frame or braced structure." But I'll reiterate, it depends on your initial location.
- toast0 9y ago
  In the suburbs, I have a lawn, but there's some big trees. Out on the street, there's power lines. If it's big enough that I should be worried about my house falling down around me, I'm also worried about trees and downed power lines.
- squiggleblaz 9y ago
  It does depend on your initial location. But if your initial location is inside, then when going outside you are necessarily passing through dangerous territory. Because for as long as your exiting your building, you're right next to a building, which is a more dangerous place to be than inside a building under a desk.
jcranmer 9y ago
It depends on the construction material. If the building is unreinforced masonry, the doorframe is the strongest part of the wall (with respect to earthquakes). If it is not, it is no stronger or weaker than the rest of the wall. (See https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/megaqk_facts_fantasy.php https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/megaqk_facts_fantas...). The most useful place to be in a major earthquake is anywhere where things are not going to swing into or fall onto you. Such as underneath a desk (assuming it's not a cheap construction that will buckle under any significant weight).
- godelski 9y ago
  But would you not agree that if available, the most safe space is an open field? That's all I'm saying here. People seem to be missing that I'm not suggesting going outside if things can fall on you outside.

godelski 9y ago

I feel like you are disagreeing with me but also reiterating my point. You don't need to be in field in Kansas to be safe outside. If you're in the suburbs you have lawns, parking lots, or streets and there aren't windows above you. Obviously if you're in downtown LA or SF don't go outside. But there's a lot of people that don't live in, or aren't going to be in, an area with multi-story buildings completely surrounding them. You can easily get far enough away from a couple story building (parking lot) and be safe. That is much safer than inside said building. Here's the rule of thumb "If something can fall on you outside, go to a door frame or braced structure." But I'll reiterate, it depends on your initial location.

toast0 9y ago
In the suburbs, I have a lawn, but there's some big trees. Out on the street, there's power lines. If it's big enough that I should be worried about my house falling down around me, I'm also worried about trees and downed power lines.
squiggleblaz 9y ago
It does depend on your initial location. But if your initial location is inside, then when going outside you are necessarily passing through dangerous territory. Because for as long as your exiting your building, you're right next to a building, which is a more dangerous place to be than inside a building under a desk.

jcranmer 9y ago

It depends on the construction material. If the building is unreinforced masonry, the doorframe is the strongest part of the wall (with respect to earthquakes). If it is not, it is no stronger or weaker than the rest of the wall. (See https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/megaqk_facts_fantasy.php https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/megaqk_facts_fantas...). The most useful place to be in a major earthquake is anywhere where things are not going to swing into or fall onto you. Such as underneath a desk (assuming it's not a cheap construction that will buckle under any significant weight).

godelski 9y ago
But would you not agree that if available, the most safe space is an open field? That's all I'm saying here. People seem to be missing that I'm not suggesting going outside if things can fall on you outside.