On March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, destroying the community and killing at least 3,500 people. The earthquake caused buildings to sway and even collapse at a tourist hotspot in Bangkok. Videos posted online show water from a rooftop swimming pool spills over the side of a high-rise hotel.
Scientists are located in active earthquake zones with many popular holiday destinations, including California, Chile, Fiji, Italy, Japan, Mexico and the Caribbean, but they are unable to accurately predict where, when and where the next big tremor will occur. If you are planning to travel to these or other earthquake-prone areas, there are a few steps you can take to stay safe.
Take advantage of technology
Before you go, do some basic internet research to see if your destination is experiencing a major earthquake.
Identify which local agencies will issue guidance and information during a disaster, and see if the destination has an early earthquake warning system. These networks of sensors automatically analyze large earthquakes at the moment they start and send an alert, preparing the affected seconds before the ground starts shaking.
The “second problem” in earthquakes said Sarah McBride, scientist with the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazard Program. She pointed to footage from a Taiwanese maternity ward during her 7.4 magnitude trembling last year.
Some systems will send alerts directly to your mobile phone when an earthquake occurs. You can also download apps like Sassla for Mexico, Safety Chips for Japan, Nerv, and Myshake for the US to get push alerts. You can also sign up for the State Department's Smart Traveler Registration Program and leave a copy of your itinerary with friends and family.
“A little research can really make a difference,” Dr. McBride said.
Drop, cover and hold
In most earthquakes, experts advise three simple actions to protect themselves.
Earthquakes cause the ground to move in unpredictable ways, sometimes sharply convulsing. To prevent it from falling, it falls to your hands and knees (or lock the wheel if you use a wheelchair). Cover your head and neck with your arms. Craw under a sturdy table or desk if nearby, or next to the interior wall if not. (We no longer recommend searching for shelters at the door.)
Then grab it. If it is under the table, grab your foot with one hand and leave it on until the shaking stops. The larger the earthquake, the longer it lasts. For example, the 9.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan in 2011 lasted nearly six minutes.
If you're indoors, resist the urge to run outside. You may be hit by falling debris or knocked to the ground. If you're outdoors, you'll go outside and try to get away from buildings, streetlights, power lines and trees. Dr. McBride warned that movement during the earthquake could be dangerous. It is difficult to stand upright during intense shaking.
Practice what you do in an earthquake. “I don't want to learn how to use fire extinguishers when the garage is on fire,” said Brian Blake, executive director of the US Central Earthquake Consortium.
The type of building is important
The advice to stay inside, drop, cover and hold applies to most situations, but not all. According to the National Alliance of Earthquakes, if you are on the first floor of a building built with most opinions from architects and engineers such as mud brick structures, this is the only example of considering moving outside during an earthquake.
Dr. McBride advised in investigating local protocols for earthquake response. In many cases, guidance can be provided by the hotel manager or safety officer.
This kind of local knowledge was invaluable to 37-year-old Christine Bedennis of Detroit when the magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal in 2015. Not long after the ground was still, the dog outside the restaurant began barking. It is a sign that aftershocks are coming.
It's not over when the shaking stops
When an earthquake sinks, there are many risks remaining. Gas line leaks, fallen wires, fires, etc. Coastal earthquakes are particularly dangerous due to the possibility of tsunamis. If you're on the coast when a severe earthquake hits “move inland immediately on foot.”
Furthermore, aftershocks are inevitable in large earthquakes and can cause additional damage. If you are in a severely damaged building and can go outside, you may not be able to enter again, so take your documents and medications with you.
Mobile networks are often overloaded after an earthquake, so try sending text messages and posts to social media using features like Facebook's safety checks. Some newer phones also allow you to send text messages to share locations via satellite if your cellular network is down.
