I have held the same view for a long time: that advised behaviour for
survival in earthquakes was based on (western) assumptions eg: to stand in
a doorway assumes an adequately constructed doorway ! I was once informed
by a person who had been in an earthquake that it worked - but that was in
(then) Yugoslavia.
Henry Quarrantelli used to write that advised behaviour in emergencies
should follow as closely as possible the instinctive response. Surely, that
would be to get out quick. That assumes easy and direct exits, and that
assumes low rise, more likely single storey buildings - and that relates
more easlily to rural situations in less developed countries; viz this
particular Indonesian earthquake. In the absence of specific information
and not having heard the BBC report - I would assume that people did get
out and that they survived !
As an architect, I am accustomed to buildings being designed to comply with
requirements for means of escape in case of fire. What strikes me is the
dearth of information on means of escape in case of earthquake, and the
apparent absence of information on the design of buildings (all kinds of
buildings) for escape in case of earthquake. Could make an interesting and
useful research project ?
(I don't have direct experience of earthquake, but have experienced
tremors. I have seen the effects of earthquake shortly after the event in
several less-developed locations, both urban and rural).
With Best Wishes: James
At 13:49 06/06/00 PDT, you wrote:
>During the 8:00 a.m. news this morning on Radio Scotland, the BBC's Richard
>Galpin reported from the scene of the June 4 earthquake on Sumatra that many
>people had survived because they managed to get out of their houses during
>the earthquake (or that was my understanding; I could not find this thought
>replicated on the BBC website).
>
>I understand that literature on how to act during a earthquake normally
>states "stop, drop, and take cover", or stay in a well-supported area of the
>building, until the shaking stops and then exit the building and stay away
>from structures. This material, though, is normally geared towards
>developed countries and I would guess that it makes the assumption that the
>structure has been engineered to the best of our ability to withstand the
>forces induced by earthquakes.
>
>I would be curious to know if anyone could confirm Galpin's report that many
>people survived this earthquake, or others in the past, because they left
>their houses during the shaking. From those who have experienced a severe
>earthquake, would such action actually be possible? As well, what would be
>the best manner of trying to survive an earthquake in a structure which has
>not been properly engineered to avoid collapse during an earthquake?
>
>Thank you very much for your time,
>Ilan
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>
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