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
In certain spots, yes, the ground can open up. It’s definitely not the main danger, though.
However, beyond that and building collapse, earthquakes pose other dangers.
* land slides
* floods (especially if below a dam or dike)
* tsunamis (big worry for Vancouver island)
* fires (think of all the flammable stuff and ignition sources in those collapsing buildings, plus ruptured gas lines, downed power lines, etc)
* lack of access to clean water, food, medication.
* other random stuff. Tree could fall on you. You could crash your car, etc.
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