According to comments (which are not verified) that shakes were felt as far away as Rome. My family climb mountains and like to see the aftermath of incidents, but what are the facts and useful tips.
First, an earthquake, shaking from below, causing falling buildings and crevaces, is not the same as a volcano, pouring hot lava, usually from a mountain above.
Why do people build below volcanoes, on the edge of rivers and seas subject to rising tides, storms and tsunamis? Firstly because it's their home. They have a title deed or a rental agreement. They cannot afford to buy or rent elsewhere.
Second for sentimental reasons. Nostalgia. Some people want to preserve the room of a dead person as if they are coming back. Some wish to visit a gravesite. Because people are nostalgic, and they want to preserve graves, memories of childhood, grandparents, parents, the place they know.
Third because it's their country and they speak the language, know the landmarks. Many people are territorial. You know how you settle into a new place, even on a bus or visiting a toilet or having a seat in a theatre. Going back to a hotel in a holiday resort and wanting the same room. At a restaurant wanting the same table. This is my seat. This is my room. This is my house. This is my town. This is where I was born.
Old people want to stay. Young people feel obliged to stay and look after their parents or grandparents.
Fourth because they know neighbours or governments who will help them rebuild there. Governments won't help you re-settle elsewhere.
Fifth because volcanic soil is very fertile. The sea provides fish you can eat and sell. Rivers are waterways and like roads connect you to trade and help. Because after a while people forget. Babies born there forget.
Memories, Markers, New Building Rules
Useful memories of disasters may prevent them happening again. A town in Japan was saved from a tsunami because a mayor insisted on placing a marker showing where the tide had reached last time as a warning to future generations.
San Francisco and Los Angeles have stringent building regulations which have ensured that buildings sway in the wind and do not fall down. I visited San Francisco after the major earthquake and the manager of a hotel took me onto the roof top and showed me that lounger chairs were chained down so they did not fly off and injure people below. He told me the building sways.
Prevention
In the USA after avalanches some local councils have forbidden the building of schools, hospitals, large buildings, or even small ones, under steep slopes where avalanches have happened previously. When I used to visit seasides I wondered why lines were marked on walls of buildings and cliffs showing where tides reached previously. I thought it was either nostalgia or ghoulishness. Now I realise it is a warning, to prevent you getting caught again.
The marker says, if you see a retreating sea or hear a warning on the radio, make sure you get above this level. Do not stand below it taking photos of the rising tide!
Building Construction
The BBC has a story about building construction.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37522660
Where have there been Earthquakes?
USA, New Zealand, Greece, Italy.
Greek Tremor
I visited the island of Zakinthos on a press trip and read about how help had been sent from other nearby countries such as Israel after a major disaster. The same evening I sat in the hotel on the ground floor listening to a local dignitary telling us how safe the island was (talking about theft and so on) when I heard a hug crash. I thought the lift (elevator) has fallen. Then the drinks on the table in front of me shook. the liquids moved backwards and forwards int he glasses. The long ear-rings on the ears of the startled girl ahead of me shook. the Greeks jumped to their feet and ran out. Nobody thought to shout in English, "Earthquake - run!"
We brits looked at each other puzzled. Somebody said, "I think that was an earthquake. All the locals have run out. We should do the same."
The others had run down the beach, away from the building. We stood around for a while, until one or two people hurried back inside. Finally we grabbed somebody and asked what was happening. He told us it had been an earthquake tremor, but it was now safe to go back inside.
Afterwards somebody said that the safest place, if you cannot run far away, is in the doorway, where the lintel or H shape over the doorway might protect you.
Wartime UK
In wartime Britain (WWII) residents were told that when they heard the siren warning of overhead planes which were dropping bombs, to go to a shelter, or crouch under the dining room or kitchen table, or in an office, under a desk.
You might survive. At least you will be protected from flying objects such as paintings and ornaments of flying glass from windows or pictures or mirrors.
Travel Tip
I am now wondering whether it would be wise to always travel with food and water in my pocket, at lest a container for catching rain, or filtering river water. On holiday I always wear or cary walking shoes.
Questions
Where have there been Volcanic Eruptions? Etna. Vesuvius. Volcanoes are not earthquakes. When the Romans suffered at Pompey, they had warning rumbles in advance. The rich and the owners left. The slaves and caretakers and sick and elderly and pregnant women and young children stayed behind. It is not only seen in the museums of preserved walls and bodies. We have detailed accounts of the governor of the time.
I still want to know:
Where is not affected (in Italy). (I must contact the tourist board in Italy.)
Where can I send help, donations? (Check online.)
Where can I find travel advice? The UK government Foreign Office site has an index by country and under each country various subjects such as Natural Disasters. On the Italian page for natural disasters you are referred to this site:
http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/jcms/en/rischio_sismico.wp
For updates go to:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/natural-disasters
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37785211 (BBC report on the quake in Italy Oct 27 2016)
Angela Lansbury, travel writer, researcher and photographer; author; speaker.
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