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Sisanie

Sisanie

Sisanie is co-host of Ryan Seacrest's show On Air With Ryan on KIIS FM Los Angeles' Hit Music radio station from 5am-10am.Full Bio

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Are These Earthquake Myths Fact or Fiction?

Seismograph Recording an Earthquake Activity on Grid Paper

Photo: MicroStockHub / iStock / Getty Images

We recently experienced an earthquake so here's what some experts had to say about myths surrounding earthquakes and whether or not they are fact or fiction.

  • Animals can sense when an earthquake will strike
    • No! Studies show there are no perceptible behavior changes in animals before an earthquake.
  • Weather impacts earthquake probability
    • Haven't you heard people say "it's earthquake weather?" well the California Office of Emergency services said they can happen at any time in any weather.Ā 
  • Doorways are the safest place to be
    • Doorways were once considered to be among the strongest parts of a buildingā€™s structure.
    • But now, COES said modern building codes and construction have ā€œsignificantly improved the structural integrity of all parts of buildings,ā€ so the best thing to do during in an earthquake is ā€œdrop, cover, and hold on.ā€
  • California can sink into the ocean because of an earthquake
    • It's because of all the movies we watch that scare us!
    • Experts said the shaking fromĀ earthquakesĀ cannot cause California to sink, however,Ā earthquakesĀ can spark landslides that slightly change the shape of the coastline.
  • The ground can open and swallow people
    • The myths of people falling into the earth during an earthquake are only partly true.
    • Although faults do not open,Ā earthquakesĀ cause settling and other ground deformation such as open fissures that people, cars, animals, and other objects can fall into.
  • California has the mostĀ earthquakesĀ in the US
    • Nope, Alaska has the most earthquakes!
    • California came in second.

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