MythBusters · Video summary

Should You Really Stand In A Doorway During An Earthquake? | MythBusters

The MythBusters investigate whether standing in a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. They build a giant shake table and test the myth on different types of houses.

MythBusters · September 10, 2026 · 25-min episode · 4-min read

Should You Really Stand In A Doorway During An Earthquake? | MythBusters

Key takeaways

🚪The myth that doorways are the safest place during an earthquake likely originated from older, unreinforced masonry buildings where doorways were often the strongest structural element.01:04
🏛️The California Academy of Sciences has an earthquake shake table capable of simulating powerful historical earthquakes, which inspired the MythBusters to build their own.01:40
🛠️The MythBusters' custom-built shake table is an 11x13 foot steel frame, weighing 5,000 pounds, designed to simulate both horizontal (X and Y) and vertical (Z) earthquake motions.04:10
🧱In the test with the old-style, unreinforced masonry house, the doorway remained standing and protected the mannequin, while other parts of the house collapsed.17:10
🏡Modern wood-frame houses built to current seismic codes are significantly more resilient, with the entire structure designed to absorb earthquake energy, making the doorway no longer a uniquely safe spot.19:00
🤕In the modern house test, the mannequin under the table was safer than the one in the doorway, which was repeatedly struck by the swinging door.22:13

Chapters

0:00Introduction to the Earthquake Doorway Myth
0:59Planning the Experiment and Visiting the California Academy of Sciences
5:15Building the MythBusters' Giant Shake Table
20:00Testing the Myth on an Old-Style Masonry House
30:00Testing the Myth on a Modern Wood-Frame House
40:00Conclusion: Doorway Myth Busted (with a Caveat)

The digest

For decades, the advice on what to do during an earthquake has been a subject of debate. The common wisdom, especially in areas prone to seismic activity like California, often suggested seeking refuge in a doorway. However, modern seismic safety guidelines advocate for a different approach: "drop, cover, and hold on." The MythBusters team put this long-standing myth to the test, exploring whether a doorway truly offers the best protection during an earthquake.

The Origin of the Doorway Myth

The MythBusters began their investigation by acknowledging the prevailing belief that doorways are the safest place during an earthquake. This advice, deeply ingrained in the minds of many who grew up in earthquake-prone regions, likely originated from observations of older, unreinforced masonry buildings. In such structures, doorways, often reinforced with more robust framing, might have indeed been the strongest part of the house, offering a slim chance of survival amidst collapsing walls. However, as building codes and construction techniques evolved, the structural integrity of homes changed dramatically, raising questions about the continued relevance of this advice.