Bali experienced a 6.1 earthquake this morning which came right out of the blue. The entire episode lasted maybe 20 seconds. The epicentre was measured at 61.3 kilometres deep, some 130 kilometres south-southwest of Denpasar, said US seismologists in Hawaii.
Its a pretty unnerving feeling to have the whole house shake. One wonders if the building will suddenly come apart and collapse. Depending on the construction buildings can survive earthquakes. On the west coast of the US almost all buildings are made of wood, which flexes instead of snapping. With cement structures its disintegration and displacement that you are guarding against. All of the tourist villas and hotels in Bali are made with cement slabs containing rebar which anchors the slab in place. Box structures are at their most vulnerable to displacement at the corners, so bracing corners is essential.
This writer was at home when the earthquake struck. The common reaction here in Bali is to run outside at the first sign of a quake, fearing a building collapse. Seventeen people were injured today by flying masonry and roofing tiles doing just that. If a roofing tile hits you on the head it could be all over.
Common logic says get under a table or some other piece of furniture if you can't get outside. Don't do that either, you'll be crushed. Find a solid object, (stone bathtub, stone counter, garden wall, large step, stack of computer / office paper in boxes etc) and lay close to it. Even if the roof falls in you'll survive.
Travel safe in Bali - Travel insurance from Worldnomads.com
For visitors on a longer stay in Bali, check out the affordable Bali hotels in Amed, Candi Dasa, Canggu, Lombok, Lovina, Nusa Lembongan, Tabanan and Tanah Lot.
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