I moved to Vancouver Island a few years ago and have only recently found out that we are overdue for a massive earthquake of around a 9 magnitude. I’ve also realized that I have no clue what actually occurs during a massive earthquake. I know the ground shakes with smaller ones, but does it break open with big ones? Do people fall into holes in the ground? I guess I’m really asking what danger will I be in other than buildings collapsing if I’m in them?
Because apparently this earthquake will kill most of my city, but how would the earthquake kill any of us aside from buildings pancaking us?
In: Planetary Science
Holes or giant cracks don’t usually open up, its the shaking that causes the major issues
-All that vibrating and shaking causes loose or unstable objects to fall, sometimes on you.
-The shaking can destabilize houses and buildings and cause them to collapse. Buildings in quake prone areas will be built to absorb the vibrations safely, those not used to frequent quakes will not. Power lines may also come toppling down.
-The vibrations can dislodge unsteady earth, causing landslides or trees to fall over
-Liquefaction, a process where during lots of vibrations, sediment or other seemingly solid ground with enough moisture in it effectively becomes liquid quicksand. Anything that was resting on it sinks and the liquefied ground can settle and flow.
-Pipes underground often are twisted and break, resulting in broken water pipes, gas pipes, electrical and internet cables, etc, and all the hazards that come with them.
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