Lori Dengler | Fear of earthquakes – Times Standard

Seismophobia is the fear of earthquakes. It's a topic I've been wanting to write about for a while but needed the right moment. We are now in a relatively “quiet” period on the North Coast. The aftershock sequence of the M6.4 Ferndale earthquake ended in December 2022, and the last earthquake we felt (4.0 near Blue Lake) was nearly three weeks ago. It did no harm and is just a vague memory for most people.

Why am I looking for a quiet window? Because exposure to a strong earthquake exacerbates earthquake phobia and I want to broach the subject gently at a time when it is not likely to cause anxiety. The mere mention of the word “earthquake” can be debilitating, triggering nightmares and panic attacks in some people. In extreme cases, this fear can color all aspects of one's life and affect the well-being of the family.

People who tell me they like earthquakes or think they're fun have never been in strong shape. It is natural to hate and fear them, especially if you and your community have been harmed. I have no regrets that I was out of town on December 20, 2022, and did not get to see the main shock of the Ferndale earthquake. I was not traumatized by the shaking during the night and the sounds of things crashing around me. For the people who were here, each aftershock was another needle in the wound, delivering adrenaline and compounding trauma.

Over time, aftershocks decrease, most people adapt, and earthquakes cease to be the issues that matter most to them. But for some, the tremors still loom as large and even small tremors, or the mention of an earthquake elsewhere brings back an overwhelming feeling of dread and terror.

First, a disclaimer. I am not a sociologist, psychologist, or seismic human behavior expert. But I know people who specialize in this field and have first-hand experience studying direct earthquake concerns.

Sarah McBride is a USGS professional who comes from a very different background than most who work at that agency. With degrees in law, public administration and disaster management, she found herself in New Zealand's South Island in 2005 working for the Canterbury Civil Defense Emergency Management Agency in Christchurch. This put her in an ideal position to respond to the 2009 tsunami in Samoa, and a year later to work for World Vision in the Solomon Islands.

2011 brought Sarah back to Christchurch and an even more pressing disaster struck. The magnitude 7.0 Canterbury earthquake sequence in September 2010 began approximately 40 miles from Christchurch city center and produced a powerful aftershock sequence that progressed close to the metropolitan area. The most damaging earthquake in the series occurred approximately six months later when the M6.1 Christchurch earthquake struck just four miles from the city centre, killing 185 people and causing economic losses of about $25 million (US dollars).

During her six years in New Zealand, Sarah played a critical public communications role in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake and the 2016 M7.8 Kaikoura earthquake, approximately 90 miles north of Christchurch. Almost everyone in the northern part of New Zealand's North Island developed some degree of earthquake phobia in those years, and this was something Sarah dealt with almost every day. She sent me five brief points on how to face and deal with earthquake fears.

1. Acknowledge the fear. It is not irrational or unnatural. We can't see earthquakes coming and they can be a rude interruption to our day, even if they're not harmful. Images of damage from deadly earthquakes around the world amplify this fear. Even when we're sure our buildings will withstand collapse, it's hard to erase those images of catastrophic failures from your mind. There are many good reasons to fear earthquakes.

2. Dig deeper. What exactly are you afraid of? Will he be harmed or killed? Is it an inability to protect loved ones such as children or elderly parents and friends? Are they memories of a previous earthquake in which you may have felt trapped or helpless? Is it a secondary effect like a fire or tsunami that makes you anxious at night? Is this the extent of unexpected earthquakes? Taking note of these concerns and recognizing them as legitimate is an important part of alleviating them.

3. A few seconds of warning can help. ShakeAlert early vibration alerts can mentally prepare you for the shake. This system may give you a few seconds to be in a safer location (such as under a sturdy desk or table) when strong vibration arrives. It's still a work in progress on the North Shore where we don't have external tools, but I appreciate the combination of alerts that worked. I recommend turning off your phone at bedtime because the alarm can be as scary as the vibration in the middle of the night and your bed should be a safe place.

4. Practice, practice, practice. The more you know and practice about what to do in the event of an earthquake or tsunami, the less anxious you'll likely be. Don't take my words seriously; There have been a number of social science studies that support this. Participate in ShakeOut drills this October and add a tsunami evacuation feature if you live in a tsunami zone. We cannot stop earthquakes, but their impact on ourselves, our families and our communities is something we can control. The most likely cause of damage to your home is items that may fall or slide. Reducing these risks and training yourself to stay in place while the ground is shaking keeps you in control and most repairs are not expensive. Fear is normal. Being prepared is the antidote.

5. Keep earthquake risks in perspective. Earthquakes are not just a California or West Coast phenomenon. Data from the last century show that two-thirds of U.S. states have experienced some seismic shaking, and for the past few years, Texas has been at or near the top of the list in terms of earthquakes felt in the lower 48 states. In New Jersey he emphasizes that earthquakes can happen anywhere. Yes, earthquakes have been felt on the North Coast more than anywhere else in the lower 48 states, but only two deaths since 1850 were directly linked to damage from tremors. Walking on county and city roads and cycling are much more dangerous. Most of us don't think much about dangers when we drive, but more than 4,000 Californians died on the highway in 2021. And of course, there are many other natural disasters claiming more lives year after year in other parts of the United States. Country.

Our response to earthquakes is innate and it is difficult to change how people feel about them. But having open conversations about fears can often reduce their effects and make them easier to live with. Such conversations can lead to anxiety-reducing actions such as reducing risks in the home, developing family emergency plans, and improving communication with neighbors. I have known many people who participated in Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and found that the skills they developed made them more confident in their abilities to safely weather an earthquake.

Families must be especially aware of their own fears and those of their children. Children are very good at sensing unspoken fears that can exacerbate their anxiety. Encouraging children to actively participate in earthquake and tsunami drills, prepare emergency supplies and reduce risks appropriate to their age can go a long way towards feeling safe and secure.

More on how to make your home earthquake safe in Living on Shaky Ground magazine. But you need to realize that when a phobia, due to earthquakes or other reasons, hinders someone's ability to function, it is time to seek professional advice.

Lori Dengler is professor emeritus of geology at Cal Poly Humboldt and an expert in tsunami and earthquake hazards. Questions or comments about this column, or want a free copy of the “Living on Shaky Ground” preparedness magazine? Leave a message at 707-826-6019 or email [email protected].

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