Of course, one of the biggest problems stemming from earthquakes is fire. Fires start because
earthquakes rupture gas and electrical lines. Breaks in water mains compound the problem
by making it difficult to fight those fires. One effective way of dealing with this is to zigzag
pipes so that they bend and flex when the ground shakes. Straight pipes will break in a
quake. In San Francisco, water and gas pipelines are separated by valves so that areas can
be isolated if one segment breaks.
Since engineers know what sorts of structures do best in earthquakes, why aren’t all struc-
tures in earthquakes zones constructed for maximum safety? Of course, the reason is cost.
More sturdy structures are much more expensive to build. Since no one knows which struc-
tures will be exposed to a large earthquake during their effective lifetimes, communities must
decide how safe to make their buildings. They must weigh how great the hazard is, what
different building strategies will cost, and how much risk they are willing to take. In poor
communities, the choice may come down to spending money on earthquake-safe buildings or
funding other priorities, such as a water sanitation project. The choice often comes down to
protecting against a known risk versus unknown one; for example, many people in developing
nations die each year from drinking and bathing in unclean water.
Protecting Yourself in an Earthquake
If you live in an earthquake zone, there are many things you can do to protect yourself
before, during and after an earthquake. The two goals are to make sure that the house and
its contents are not a hazard and for the household to be ready to live independently for a
few days until emergency services are available in full force.
Before the Earthquake:
- Have an engineer evaluate your house for structural integrity. Make sure the separate
pieces—floor, walls, roof and foundation—are all well attached to each other. - Bracket or brace brick chimneys to the roof.
- Be sure that heavy objects are not stored in high places. Move them to low places so
that they do not fall. - Secure water heaters all around and at the top and bottom.
- Bolt heavy furniture onto walls with bolts, screws, or strap hinges.
- Replace halogen and incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs to lessen fire risk.
- Check to see that gas lines are made of flexible material so that they do not rupture.
Any equipment that uses gas should be well secured. - Everyone in the household should know how to shut off the gas line. A wrench should
be placed nearby for doing so. - Prepare an earthquake kit with at least three days supply of water and food. Include
a radio and batteries. - Place flashlights all over the house so that there is always one available. Place one in
the glove box of your car.