Why are we told not to go outside during an earthquake?

Question

I was outside during the earthquake yesterday and didn't see anything that would fall on me nearby. So wouldn't it be safer outside?

Answer 1

It is the safest place to be outside in a open field no matter what people say. Its just common sense. Why would you stay inside so a building can fall on you? And how is a desk going to not collapse with a roof ontop of it?

Answer 2

Normally outside is the safest place to be.

It might be because if you are in a building and you run outside during the earthquake, you may be hit by falling glass or concrete from the building. If you are already outside, then you are fine.

Answer 3

most of the time there are tall buildings and such hazards but in southern california(except downtown l.a and a few other places) most building are relatively low and there are plenty of open spaces unlike new york.

Answer 4

Who ever told you that you can't go outside during an earthquake is wrong. It is safer to be outside and away from buildings tall or not and telephone polls, etc.  Actually, if you are inside during an earthquake you are more in danger because the building could fall on you, bookshelves, refrigerators, etc. Then it would cause you more injury than being outside and away from buildings. Here are some safety tips:

If Indoors during an Earthquake:

1. DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

2. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture

3. Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

4. Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.

5. Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

6. Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

7. DO NOT use elevators

If Outdoors during an earthquake:

1. Stay there

2. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

3. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

Answer 5

if theres nothing outside its safer

but when they say its unsafe its because of the trees and eletricity poles and everything outside [[most outside things hurt more are heavier and give more damage than most things inside]] but if you know somewhere with nothing heavy and empty then thats a perfect place to go

Answer 6

Most earthquake-related injuries result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects as a result of the ground shaking.

After the shaking has stopped, if you go outside, move quickly away from the building to prevent injury from falling debris.

Answer 7

well you arent supposed to go outside right away if you are inside when an earthquake starts. you are supposed to go under a table to help protect yourself from falling objects. then after it stops, if you can safely get outside to a clear area you should before the after shock. however, if you are in a building when it starts, you dont want to try getting out during the earthquake because it makes it easier to get hurt.

we do these drills in my high school. when the earthquake starts you get under the desk, when its over and before the aftershock starts we all go out into our empty soccer feilds.