disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises running outside during an earthquake to avoid building collapse (falling debris and structural collapse risk)

ID: disaster/earthquake-run-outside-during-shaking

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
85%Fix Rate
90%Confidence
1Evidence
2023-02-06First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
USGS ShakeAlert (2023) active — — —
FEMA P-1000 (2023) active — — —

Root Cause

Running outside during strong shaking exposes people to falling glass, masonry, and building facades; the exit path is often blocked by debris, and the collapse zone extends well beyond the building footprint.

generic

中文

在强烈震动期间跑到室外会使人们暴露于坠落的玻璃、砖石和建筑立面之下；出口路径常被碎屑堵塞，且坍塌区域远超出建筑占地面积。

Official Documentation

https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Drop, Cover, and Hold On: drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until shaking stops. 
    Drop, Cover, and Hold On: drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until shaking stops.
  2. 85% success If no table is available, crouch against an interior wall away from windows, mirrors, and heavy furniture. Cover your head with your arms. 
    If no table is available, crouch against an interior wall away from windows, mirrors, and heavy furniture. Cover your head with your arms.
  3. 80% success After the shaking stops, evacuate calmly using the stairs, checking for hazards. Do not use elevators. 
    After the shaking stops, evacuate calmly using the stairs, checking for hazards. Do not use elevators.

中文步骤

  1. 趴下、掩护、扶住：趴到双手和膝盖上，在坚固的桌子或书桌下掩护头部和颈部，并扶住直到摇晃停止。
  2. 如果没有桌子，蹲在远离窗户、镜子和重型家具的内墙旁。用手臂保护头部。
  3. 摇晃停止后，使用楼梯冷静疏散，检查危险。不要使用电梯。

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Running to the nearest exit as soon as shaking starts 90% fail

    The exit path may be blocked by falling ceilings or debris; the shaking makes it impossible to maintain balance, and the building facade collapses outward

  2. Using a fire escape or stairwell to run down quickly 80% fail

    Stairwells are not earthquake-proof and may collapse or fill with debris; fire escapes are often damaged by the shaking

  3. Waiting for a lull in shaking to dash outside 70% fail

    Aftershocks can occur within seconds; the initial shaking may not be the strongest, and the collapse may happen during the lull