We had an earthquake about an hour ago — 5.4 in Chino Hills, a bit east of Los Angeles. We’re all long-term Californians at work, and there wasn’t any obvious damage (a couple of precariously-balanced objects fell over, but that was it) so discussion was mainly curiosity. Where was it, how big, what type of quake, etc.
But it got me thinking: What if it had happened during Comic-Con?
The quake was felt in San Diego, though there haven’t been any reports of injuries or damage, well, anywhere. Now consider 120,000+ people crammed into an already overcrowded building, many from other parts of the country who have never experienced an earthquake before and aren’t accustomed to them. Some of them would undoubtedly freak out.
Now imagine a hundred or so people in the middle of that Comic-Con crowd panicking and deciding they need to get out, now.
Yeah. I’m thinking stampede. Not a pretty thought.
See Also: Convention Photos & Write-Ups
Wow. If a major quake hit in that area, it would not have been pretty. As it was, co-workers in the Rancho Bernardo area said they felt a minor quake, but nothing to be excited about.