Why do people rush DOWNstairs in an earthquake? (Most damage occurs at the base of buildings, doesn't it?)

Answer 1

I ran outside. I vote for I don't want to be in the building as it collapses. They tell you to get in a doorway because it is the strongest part of the wall. And then there is the fear of being trapped in the rubble. . .Watch a good earthquake movie and the tops of the buildings are falling and smashing all the people outside so I vote for the top goes first. Unless the earth opens up and swallows the building and then I would want to be upstairs and hope it's still sticking out of the earth. And then there is the good guy/bad guy theory. If you are the bad guy and run up, you are screwed because you are trapped.

Answer 2

Heck no! In a tall building the base is the most stable. The upper floors of a skyscraper can and often do actually move with the wind. Consider a stack of building blocks (not Legos or Lincoln Logs!) on a plate. If you shook the plate back and forth, you'd see that the bottom blocks are most often still upright, but the top blocks have fallen over.

Answer 3

In case the building begins to collapse. If they're downstairs they can rush outside easier.

Answer 4

the top of the building is unstable and the bottom is more secure. Buildings themselves sway naturally and when an earthquake happens the top could fall. Plus if you are at the top of the building and the earthquake happens it can collapse and you could die while the base would be stronger and more durable.

Answer 5

Please read what action you should take at the time of earthquakes. It is out of ignorance people rush to ground.
Protection during earthquakes

The following are some of the important precaution to be observed to save our life during an earthquake. Even though we do not have fool proof system to fore warn earthquakes some of the changes in nature or in the behaviors of animals and birds may help to decide the situations.
Before an earthquake.
Have a battery powered radio, flash light, and first aid kids in your house ,
Make sure every one knows where they are kept ,
Lean first aid; teach how to stop electric main and gas supply ,
Don’t keep heavy objects in high shelves ,
Fasten heavy appliances to the floor, and anchor heavy furniture to the walls ,
Plan for your family for reuniting after an earthquake if anybody separated ,
Urge your school teachers to discuss earthquake safety in the class rooms, and ask them to conduct drills ,
Find out your office has an emergency plan, know your responsibility at your works during an emergency ,
During an earthquake.
Stay calm if you are indoors, stay indoor if out doors, stay outdoors. Many injuries occur as people enter or leave the buildings.
If you are indoors , stand against the a wall near the center of the building, or get under a sturdy table keep some cushion on your head, Stay away from windows and outside doors, if you are in a high rise building stand against a support column.
If you are in outdoor stay in the open , keep away from over head electric wires. and bridges,
Don’t use open flames, if you are in a moving vehicle stop away from over bridges and stay inside the vehicle still earthquake stops.
After an earthquake.
Check yourself and nearby people for injury, provide first aid,
Check electric and gas connection,
Turn on your radio for emergency instructions, reduce the use of phone lines it may be required for conveying some important messages.
Stay out of damaged buildings,
Wear chapels and gloves to protect against shattered glass and debris,
Stay away from beaches and water front areas where Tsunami could strike, even long after the shaking has stopped.

Answer 6

I don't. I'll dress first, pull on boots, and don't depart without my 'Good To Go' knapsack. It contains a claw hammer, prybar, whistle, crank powered flashlight and radio, canteen,
MilSpec Rations, k-bar, extra socks, toilet tissue, pain med's,
safety pins, sail stitch needle, fifty yards hi-test cord, 3-barb hooks, duct tape, orange smoke, aerial flares, and 9mm.
In a wood shed outside I've got 30 gallons of water, more Mil-Spec, winter sleeping bags, large tent, carbide lanterns.
My city waits atop abandoned coal mines and I rather think
bad things will happen eventually.

Answer 7

Is there any other way to get out of a multistoreyed building( other than jumping out). Besides basements & underground bunkers r more earthquake resistant.

Answer 8

most people don't want to be laying dead under the building after it crumbles to the ground from an earth quake !

Answer 9

because they panic and yes that is were the most damage happens