EARTHQUAKE in B.C.....?!?

Question

well....we're supposed to expect a HUGH earthquake next week...and well im scared hahaha...anyways my question is...wat are the chances of dying in an major earthquake? and how do people usually die from earthquakes? like getting squashed?

Answer 1

The Pac NW earthquakes are different that the shallow California earthquakes. I remember as a little girl watching out the window during the early 60's Seattle quake. The street was moving as if it were a slow wave. It seemed to last forever. Most people die from objects falling from buildings and I would also be careful of being near windows. Stand under reinforced doorways. Downtown Seattle has a viaduct like the one that was destroyed near San Francisco however, it was built on landfill !! Very dangerous! Be aware of any landfil areas in your city, Vancouver I assume. Some people say they hear a loud pop before the quake begins. I've never noticed. If you have kids make sure that if they have to be picked up from school & you can't get to them that you have trusted friends/relatives names on their school pick up list. . . just a thought.

Answer 2

Hmmm.... I heard about this on the news as well. BC and the Pacific North West (Washington and Oregon) are at a higher risk for an earthquake this week. Apparently the chances of a major earthquake occurring this week have jumped from (1/200,000) to (1/4000), so that is why the media has been put on alert. That doesn't mean there WILL be an earthquake, it just means the chances have increased. There is no need to panic, just be aware and make sure you are prepared in the event one does occur. I think we should alway be aware of our surroundings, after all we live in a very earthquake prone region of the world. If a cascadia subduction earthquake were to happen, it could have a magnitude of up to 9.0. That means your chances of dying are probably higher :P, especially if you live near the coast where a tsunami is likely to happen. If you are in an old building at the time the earthquake happens, your chances of dying are even more increased, as older buildings are not "earthquake proof" and more likely to collapse. I would guess people usually die from things falling on their head, (that is, if it is a major earthquake) or from panic i.e. heart attack.

Answer 3

To begin think about this, just a few years ago near half a million people died in Asia and Africa because of a tsunami caused by a major earthquake. If earthquake prediction is an exact science, why is it so many people die each year from these events? If scientists could accurately predict earthquakes then there would be no deaths caused by quakes. However if you live in an earthquake prone area be prepared as earthquakes can hit at any time. Read this information http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/prepare/prepare.html
Anyhow, be safe, but at the same time don't lose your sanity, yes people die in earthquakes, but to be honest you are at greater risk of being involved in a fatal car collision.

Answer 4

There are two sites which give information on the earthquake and I have given details from the source. Take all precautions shown in 2.
Seismic scientists say there is a greater probability of a major earthquake on B.C.'s South Coast in the next week, following a series of minor quakes that have worked their way up from Washington.

But seismologist Garry Rogers of the Geological Survey of Canada added that despite the increased probability of a big quake, the chances are still very low.

He and other scientists at the Geological Survey were able to predict the series of tiny tremors which moved along the Cascadia fault line from Puget Sound to Vancouver Island in the past week, he said.

Rogers also noted that scientists are still a long way from accurately forecasting major earthquakes. But if the big one doesn't hit B.C. this time, he said the next window of high earthquake risk will occur around April 2008.
2. When an earthquake occurs, your first warning may be a swaying sensation if you're in a building, a sudden noise or roar. Next, vibration, quickly followed by rolling up, down, sideways, rotating. It will be scary! It may last a few seconds or go on for a few minutes. The earth won't open up and swallow you. But you could be hurt by breaking glass, falling objects, and heavy things bouncing around. Be prepared for aftershocks.

Before the earthquake
Seismic experts say we can expect a major destructive earthquake in British Columbia. We don't know when this will happen. But we do live in a region where some of the largest earthquakes in the world occur.

Preparing now could save your life! An earthquake could hit B.C. at any time, so start preparing by developing your family emergency plan.

Your family should prepare and practice what to do during and after an earthquake.

Plan your needs. Delegate tasks. Write down and exercise your plan. If you have no family, make your individual plan with neighbors and friends.

Know the safe and dangerous places in your home.

Safe: under heavy tables or desks; inside hallways; corners of rooms or archways.

Dangerous: near windows or mirrors; under any objects that can fall; the kitchen... where the stove, refrigerator or contents of cupboards may move violently; doorways, because the shaking may slam the door on you. Practice taking cover.

Train members of your family to use fire extinguishers. Sign up now for a first-aid course, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Make an appointment now with your insurance broker to talk about your earthquake insurance. Check your coverage... it will affect your loss and financial ability to recover after an earthquake.

Plan and practice evacuation.

Talk to your children about what to do if they're at home, at school, if the quake separates your family. Become familiar with the school's earthquake plan.
VR

Answer 5

Well, I was shocked when I heard the news; that there would be an increased chance of an earthquake, but really 1/4000 isn't that much. But, do prepare for an earthquake at anytime, though it is rare, it is a major one, don't panic though, stay relaxed.

Answer 6

chances...i like to put this plain and simple...old buildings are more like to fall down, a very good chance to die inside, second reason..PANIC....a lot of people have die only for this

Answer 7

Oh where did you hear this from? so should we all be prepared ? I mean everyone seems to be acting all normal... no one is panicking or seems like no one seem to be buying stuff they need and so on... so is it over with? should we worry about it then?