What does a 7.0 earthquake feel like? You may have not witnessed an earthquake of this intensity, but maybe wondering what it would feel like.
If an earthquake occurs with a magnitude of 7.0, it is considered a big event that can cause widespread damage and significant interruptions to human existence.
Those in the impacted region are treated to a one-of-a-kind (and perhaps terrifying) sensory experience as the ground shakes violently.
But, what would a 7.0 earthquake feel like?
A 7.0 earthquake gives you a feeling of intense shaking with strong vibrations and a sensation of falling or swaying.
What Does a 7.0 Earthquake Feel Like?
Witnessing a 7.0 magnitude earthquake is like super crazy and something you won’t forget.
Really, earthquakes like this are no joke! They can mess up a lot of stuff and really affect people’s lives.
When a 7.0 earthquake hits, you can feel everything from crazy shaking and swaying to a loud roar and trouble keeping your balance.
Let’s talk about how it truly feels when you witness an earthquake of this intensity:
Vibrations and Shaking
The ground shaking violently is the first and most noticeable effect of a 7.0 earthquake.
The shaking can be quick side-to-side motion or rolling up-and-down motion.
It usually depends on the location of the individual in relation to the epicenter and the surrounding geological parameters.
It gets trickier to stand or walk, which increases your risk of sustaining injuries from falling or being struck by unstable objects.
Fact: Earthquakes are the result of the movement of tectonic plates, which make up the earth's upper mantle and crust.
Sensation of Falling or Swaying
The shaking from an earthquake can cause some people to feel dizzy or dizzying sensations of falling or swaying, even if they are standing still.
This sensation is caused by the sudden and unexpected changes in their visual environment as buildings and other fixed objects move around them and the ground underneath them.
In the midst of the chaos, this feeling might add to the sense of being lost and confused.
Rumbling and Roaring Sounds
Numerous unique noises can be heard during an earthquake, which can be quite disturbing to say the least.
Individuals may experience a deep rumbling or roaring sound when the ground shakes; this is similar to the sound of a freight train or a low-flying plane.
This rumbling is the outcome of the seismic waves, which can be startling and unpleasant.
Crashing and Breaking Noises
People may be able to hear the noises of shattering glass, collapsing walls, and falling debris as these structures and things are subjected to the powerful forces of the earthquake.
These sounds often come on suddenly and startle people, heightening the sensation of chaos and peril.
Electrical Disruptions
The flickering or complete loss of electric lights is one of the most noticeable visual effects of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake.
Due to the tremors, power cables and electrical systems may be disrupted, resulting in total darkness, which can be quite terrifying for most people.
Fact: Earthquakes generate three types of seismic waves, including P-waves, S-waves, and Love and Rayleigh waves.
Falling and Swinging Objects
It is common for people to experience strong shaking of their surroundings as the ground underneath them shifts.
Things on shelves and tables could be knocked over, and anything hanging from the ceiling could sway.
When these things are in motion, they can cause harm to people by dropping or flying and potentially colliding with them.
Dust and Debris in the Air
An earthquake with a 7.0 on the Richter scale has the ability to demolish buildings.
When buildings fall down and dirt and stuff move around, it can make a lot of dust and tiny bits in the air.
This can make it hard to see and breathe, which can stress and make it uncomfortable for those going through the earthquake.
Fear and Anxiety
When there is a big earthquake like a 7.0, people get super scared and anxious. It is a major psychological thing.
When an earthquake is in full swing and everything starts shaking like crazy, it can make you feel so helpless and vulnerable.
Sometimes that fear sticks around for a while and some people even end up with anxiety or PTSD from it.
Disorientation and Confusion
When there is a 7.0 earthquake, you might feel all disoriented and confused.
When everything around you is moving and shaking, it is hard to know what is going on or where you are.
This confusion can make you feel even more scared and anxious, and it can be hard to know what to do to keep yourself and others safe.
Emotional and Physical Exhaustion
A 7.0 earthquake can really take a toll on you emotionally and physically. You might feel super drained afterwards.
When you are scared and anxious and trying to move around in a shaky place, it can totally wear you out and make you feel exhausted and helpless.
Fact: A major earthquake like a magnitude 7.0 is often followed by aftershocks that may persist for several days or even weeks.
What is the Effect of a Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake?
Earthquakes are devastating and mess up everything for people and the planet.
So basically, how bad an earthquake is depends on its magnitude, which is measured on the moment magnitude scale (MMS).
A 7.0 earthquake is no joke! It can seriously mess things up and put people in danger.
Here are some of the major effects a magnitude 7.0 earthquake can have on you and your surroundings:
Loss of Life
A 7.0 earthquake can seriously mess things up and unfortunately, people could die.
If there’s a lot of people and the buildings aren’t built well, a 7.0 earthquake can mess things up and cause a ton of deaths.
If the buildings are not built well, they can totally fall down and squish the people inside. The intense shaking can make it difficult to stand.
This can also make heavy stuff fall over.
You are surely going to have issues if you end up smashing into windows or other glass things.
Injuries
People who make it through a 7.0 earthquake usually get messed up pretty bad.
These injuries can be like broken bones, twisted joints, cuts, and head injuries.
Stuff falling, buildings collapsing, and the shakes that come after the big earthquake can hurt you mentally and physically.
Displacement
When stuff gets wrecked, lots of folks have to find a new place to crash because their homes are unsafe.
This could cause a lot of people to be crammed into temporary shelters or staying with their buddies, making things worse and increasing the chances of getting sick.
Moving around can change the way you connect socially with people.
When your social life suffers, it tends to have a direct impact on your overall well-being.
Infrastructure Damage
When a 7.0 earthquake hits, everything feels the burn – roads, bridges, water, power, and communication systems can all take a beating.
Busted up roads and bridges make it super hard for emergency responders to get to where they need to go and help out.
If it hurts the water supply systems, the drinking water can get dirty and make you sick.
Similarly, if the power and communication networks go down, it can make it even harder to help people and get things back to normal.
Building Damage
In the event of a big earthquake like a 7.0, it is hard for buildings to withstand the pressure.
It can be especially dangerous in places where building codes are not up to par or nobody’s really enforcing them.
A lot of buildings could be at risk of falling apart or getting messed up real bad.
This can upset a lot of stuff like people’s homes and businesses, and it can seriously hurt the economy of the area.
The Risk of Fire
So many times, an earthquake can directly affect buildings in a way that it hurts the electrical appliances in the property.
Moreover, busted gas lines and messed up electrical systems increase the risk of fires, which are extremely hard to manage when everything else is also in a disarray.
Fact: Slower earthquakes are a reality and they release their energy slowly over hours to weeks.
Takeaway
What does a 7.0 earthquake feel like?
A seismic event measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale possesses immense force and has the potential to cause extensive destruction.
Individuals who encounter it may anticipate experiencing severe vibrations, oscillations, challenges in sustaining balance, resonant noises, and potential confusion.
The seismic event’s consequences may include fatalities, physical harm, relocation, and more.
Comprehending the sensory encounter and ramifications of a seismic event measuring 7.0 is important, as it helps you take steps to be safe.
