Field Survey on Occupant Behavior in an Earthquake

Abstract

This paper deals with how occupants respond and why they are exposed to casualty risk in an earthquake. It is based upon field data obtained by means of questionnaire and interview in recent large earthquakes in Japan. Major results obtained are: (1) the most significant factor which governs their responses is seismic intensity and (2) multiplicity of behavioral patterns at and after an earthquake can be well interpreted by taking account of personal characteristics and surrounding circumstances.