Is it better to go outside or stay inside during an earthquake?

Question

Is it better to go outside or stay inside during an earthquake?

Answer 1

Generally speaking, you should never run outside of a building during an earthquake. There is more chance you will be hit by falling debris than if you take appropriate shelter inside the building.

If you are inside a building, you should get as far away from windows as you can, to avoid breaking glass. The strongest part of a residential building is under a door frame, because of the header beam supported by 4x4 columns. Another good option is under a sturdy table or desk. If you have a brick fireplace chimney, get away from the fireplace. The bricks can fall apart, crash through the roof, and kill you (happened in Whittier a lot during an earthquake a couple decades ago).

In an office building, get away from windows and dive under a desk.

After the earthquake, if you are in or near a building that is damaged, and you are not injured, get out immediately and get away from the building. Severe earthquakes that cause that kind of damage are often followed by significant aftershocks. And, a lot of damage from earthquakes is the result of an aftershock on a building already weakened by the main shock.

If you're injured, stay sheltered and wait for help.

And, by the way, the earth doesn't open up and swallow people during an earthquake. Nor will the state of California ever become separated from the rest of the continent. Right now, the faults in California run from the Imperial Valley (near Calexico) to about Daly City in the Bay Area. To the left of the faults is the Pacific tectonic plate and to the right is the North American plate. The relative movement is a few inches a year (about the rate at which your fingernails grow), with the Pacific plate moving northward. It's estimated that, in about 100,000 years, Baja California will be off the coast of San Francisco.

Answer 2

Outside. Away from everything that can fall on you. Like, if there is a near by field or something yeah.

30% chance one will happen before 11 something today. Hope your ready if it comes!

Answer 3

If you are on the plain be out side.

Answer 4

Outside, away from tall buildings, telephone poles. your home and other large structures, trees or mountains.

Answer 5

It is better to be outside far away from bulidings rather they are high or not. You should also stay away from telephone polls or anything that could fall.

Answer 6

It would depend on what's outside.  The safest thing to do is get away from anything that could fall on you (like trees, or buildings).  If that's not possible, then it's safer to stay in a sheltered area of a building (preferably someplace that will likely remain structurally sound, like a doorframe) where you have some protection from falling debris.

If you're inside, when it happens, you're better off running for a doorframe, rather than trying to navigate your way outside.  If you're outside, then your best bet would be to get far far away from anything tall.