Audrey Lowe

Natural Disasters
Project #1

Earthquake (1974)
In 1974, a life changing event of a 9.9 earthquake had occurred in Los Angeles,
California. But this all didnt happen just at once; shocks had started beforehand hinting one was
coming. One day, Stewart and Remy were at home after having a huge argument. Stewart had
come to find his wife trying to commit suicide by overdose. He had come to find that she was
faking it after a tremor had shaken the ground. More and more tremors were occurring. Two
workers at a dam were just doing their ordinary job, as a tremor had happened; one of them had
drowned due to the event. The staff at the California Seismological Institute had made a
prediction that an enormous earthquake was going to hit Los Angeles verily soon. The scientists
were unsure whether to let this go public, because if their prediction was wrong, their jobs will
be put at risk. Soon after, a 9.9 earthquake had destroyed and killed thousands of Los Angeles.
The movie continues to show the lives of those who are trying to survive the after math of the
tragic event-- leading to the aftershock and more deaths.
In the movie, you see there are tremors that occur, or are also called foreshocks.
Foreshocks may or may not occur, but if they do, they happen hours or days before the main
earthquake. The main shock will then occur, most likely causing the most damage. In the movie,
they experience aftershocks, which is also correct. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that
follow the main earthquake. The destruction and tragedies that had happened in the movie are
great examples of what can happen in a major earthquake.
Science can help us predict hazards. As said, in the movie they experience foreshocks.
The scientists had then predicted due to the events that were happening, that they were going to
experience a massive earthquake in Los Angeles.
Humans can turn disastrous events into catastrophes. An example from the movie is
towards the end. Stewart had been cheating on his wife Remy, with Denise. Denise was trapped,
and finally rescued. Stewart was happy of course to see her safe, giving her a big hug, as he then

Audrey Lowe
Natural Disasters
Project #1

sees his wife standing right there. The Dam had given away, creating more harm. As people
climb up the ladder for safety, Denise didnt make it, getting swept away by huge waves of
water. Stewart, still caring for his wife, had sacrificed himself by trying to save her. This had led
to the catastrophe of their death.
During the movie, you see many terrible events happen due to the tragic earthquake that
had occurred. Earthquakes can be very intense and cause much damage. In the movie, buildings
were collapsing, debris was flying everywhere, and people were dying consistently, floods and
much more. Though we cannot stop an earthquake from happening, we can be taught the
consequences and gain knowledge of how to react when one does happen. Though, if a major
earthquake were to happen, we cannot stop deaths from happening, but we can prevent them if
we are knowledgeable of the situations. Knowing these hazard risks can help people make
decisions. This also links to the fact that consequences of hazards can be minimized. When we
are aware of the situations that can occur in a natural disaster, we are already putting ourselves in
somewhat of a safer case. Though you cannot prevent what will happen, you can do your best to
put yourself in safer areas, and have the knowledge of how to react.