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Earthquakes
Facts and/or Fiction?
The ground can open up during an earthquake?
FICTION:
A popular cinematic and literary device is a fault that opens during an earthquake to swallow up an inconvenient character. But unfortunately for principled writers, gaping faults exist only in movies and novels.
California will eventually fall into the ocean.
FICTION: The ocean is not a great hole into which California can fall, but it is itself land at a somewhat lower elevation with water above it. It's absolutely impossible that California will be swept out to sea.
An "Aftershock" can be greater than the initial earthquake. PARTIALLY FACT: "Foreshock" and "aftershock" are relative terms. Foreshocks are earthquakes that precede larger earthquakes in the same location. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same general area during the days to years following a larger event or "main shock".
Nuclear explosions can start or stop earthquakes.
FICTION: Scientists agree that even large nuclear explosions have little effect on seismicity outside the area of the blast itself.
Animals can predict earthquakes.
FICTION: Changes in animal behavior cannot be used to predict earthquakes. Even though there have been documented cases of unusual animal behavior prior to earthquakes, a reproducible connection between a specific behavior and the occurrence of an earthquake has not been made. Because of their finely tuned senses, animals can often feel the earthquake at its earliest stages before the humans around it can.
During an earthquake you should head for the doorway. FICTION: That's outdated advice. In past earthquakes in unreinforced masonry structures and adobe homes, the door frame may have been the only thing left standing in the aftermath of an earthquake. In modern homes doorways are no stronger than any other parts of the house and usually have doors that will swing and can injure you. YOU ARE SAFER PRACTICING THE "DROP, COVER, AND HOLD" maneuver under a sturdy piece of furniture like a strong desk or table. If indoors, stay there. Drop to the floor, make yourself small and get under a desk or table or stand in a corner. If outdoors, get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines. If in a high-rise building, stay away from windows and outside walls, stay out of elevators, and get under a table. If driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay inside your car until the shaking is over. If in a crowded public place, do not rush for the doors. Crouch and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. You should practice the "DROP, COVER AND HOLD" method at work and at home at least twice a year.
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The answer - The length of the handles.
