Is it possible to fall into a crack an earthquake leaves?

Question

Is it possible to fall into a crack an earthquake leaves? If you could how far down would fall?

Answer 1

it's happened before. you probably get crushed between the rocks, or if the crack closes up again.

don't worry...quick death.

Answer 2

LOL,

The landers quake produced some very large cracks, but people did not "fall" into them. However, there was a quake that affected interstate 5 (north) and collapsed (partially) the overpass where a cop drove off. Does anyone else remember this? It was early in the morning, and near the 14 junction near Valencia. He was subsequently killed.

Answer 3

Most of the time, an earthquake is caused by 2 faults banging into one another or sliding against one another.  Sometimes a shelf will rise but usually holes form from the ground falling into caves.  Very rarely would you see a large crack form and tear apart unless there was a large mudslide.  So, this is very unlikely and as far as how far down, would depend on how deep the ground split which could really vary.

Answer 4

Some times earthquakes cause some amazing fissures that could swallow houses.

  It would be very easy to fall into one that was many feet deep.

Answer 5

tectonic plates shift side to side deep underground....

but if it were tha powerful, then yeah ou can fall in.. i would a couple feet into the earth depending how bad the quake was

Answer 6

Of course.  As a matter of fact, houses have been known to fall into such crevices when an earthquake occurs.

Answer 7

In 1906 there was an incident in Point Reyes, California where a cow fell in a large crack made by the quake. Apparently her tail was the only thing showing after the ground closed up.

If cows (who are far larger than you or I) can take a tumble, it is a good assumption that people can roll right under as well.

On a more recent note (May '08) - a whole village near Kham was reported to be buried in a matter of seconds before anyone was able to escape.

The answer to your question is Yes, you can fall victim to an earthquake's destruction. As far as the depth of the fall - it depends on the size of the fissure and the human who is descending.

Answer 8

If there's a crack then I suppose its possible to fall into it.

The laws of physics and principles of gravity at work.

Answer 9

It is possible but highly highly unlikely. In most earthquakes the tectonic plates are just grinding agaisnt one another. But in huge earthquakes you could fall into a crack. You would fall down until you fell where the two plates meet. And then probably get ground up like hamburger meat ):