Earthquakes are anything but incredible to the people that have to live through them. They’re loud, noisy, and incredibly destructive. Not to mention, the chance of surviving an earthquake that hits as suddenly as those in the films below is not good. If you have advanced warning and are able to get out of town before the ground starts rumbling, which isn’t always possible, you might have a decent chance. Otherwise, find a stable spot and hold on, because it’s likely get bumpy.
Here’s just a few movies in which the earthquakes are so intense that survival is kind of a moot point.
5. San Andreas
When skyscrapers are falling you can assume that the earthquake more than serious. The San Andreas fault line is perhaps one of the biggest fault lines in the world and if ever triggered in such a manner could wreak damage on the kind of level that could easily wipe out the western states. If you listen to the doomsayers and even a few scientists it’s been stated that fault will experience an active state in which damage will be incurred and lives could be lost. The upside is that the level of devastation will be nowhere near what the film showcases.
4. This Is The End
So in the event of an oncoming earthquake, stand there until the ground falls out from under your feet. And when people are dying and falling into the a pool of magma that’s unnervingly close to the surface, cower and scream like a child. Okay, got it, earthquake procedures locked and loaded. Now let’s reboot and rethink the whole plan and just run for cover.
3. 2012
Despite being incredible to watch, one could almost think that the limousine in this movie would bottom out a time or two and pop a tire along the way for its trouble. But that’s movie magic, and as the streets are being thrust up and down like pylons in a psychotic game of Super Mario Bros., the terrified limo driver/dad/ex-husband is doing all he can to get his kids, his ex, and her current husband out of harm’s way. At least one thing is certain, natural disasters can certainly make you realize the importance of family.
2. Superman
Ever seen an earthquake in reverse? Da-da-da-da! Superman to the rescue as he turns back the clock and possibly screws up the world in a phenomenal way! Seriously, as great as the man of steel is, and as smart as he’s supposed to be, wouldn’t you think that he would realize how much damage he can do to the planet by forcing it to spin the other way? At least he got it spinning in the right direction again.
1. Volcano
So what’s worse than an earthquake and can follow right after? Nope, it’s not the aftershock, it’s the potential for a volcano to go BOOM and decimate an entire landscape. Imagine what it might look like in downtown Los Angeles if a fiery, burning river of magma suddenly sprouted from the middle of the city and began to spew molten death in all directions? Sorry about the quality of the clip, but it was what was available.
So the last thing that most people would call an earthquake is incredible, but there is something to be said about the sheer, raw power of nature in action. While it’s hard to appreciate when the ground is falling out from under your feet, it’s still impressive to think that such a thing could actually sneak up on anyone.
