Dark History Podcast Episode 172: Earthquakes: From Human Sacrifice to Nuclear Disaster… Is the Big One Coming??

Release Date: June 11, 2025
Host: Bailey Sarian
Produced by: Audioboom Studios

Introduction to Earthquakes

Bailey Sarian opens the episode by reflecting on her experiences growing up in California, where earthquake drills were a regular part of life. She humorously shares her own confusion during actual earthquakes, admitting, “[00:00] Bailey Sarian: ... Do I go to a doorway? Do I hide under a desk? Do I stop, drop, and roll?” This segue sets the stage for an exploration of earthquakes beyond her personal anecdotes.

Understanding Earthquakes and the Richter Scale

Bailey provides a foundational understanding of earthquakes, likening Earth's tectonic plates to “... a giant puzzle made of pieces called tectonic plates” that grind and push against each other. She humorously compares the release of built-up pressure to “Earth’s fart,” emphasizing the inevitability and necessity of seismic activity.

She delves into the Richter Scale, explaining its creation by Charles Richter in 1935. Bailey recounts an amusing anecdote about Richter’s nudist lifestyle, saying, “… Charles and his wife are, like, on a vacation. Well, first the earthquake happens, and then after that, he rushed over to his lab... he needed to get that information, like, asap.”

The Shaanxi Earthquake of 1556: The Deadliest on Record

Bailey chronicles the Shaanxi Earthquake of 1556 in China, the most deadly earthquake in history, estimating around 830,000 fatalities. She describes the catastrophic effects with vivid detail:

• Structures Collapsed: “… houses built into the hills collapsed, burying entire villages alive.”
• Aftermath: Continuous aftershocks and fear persisted for over a year, leaving survivors traumatized.
• Historical Impact: This disaster reshaped Chinese society and underscored the devastating power of natural disasters.

Bailey emphasizes the lack of early warning systems and building standards, noting, “… back then, they didn’t have the Richter scale and they definitely did not have the technology that we have now.”

The 1960 Chilean Earthquake and Tsunami: A Chain Reaction of Disasters

Transitioning to more recent history, Bailey discusses the 1960 Chilean Earthquake, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded with a magnitude of 9.5. She outlines the sequence of disasters triggered by this event:

• Initial Impact: “[Timestamp] The earthquake shook the ground for a solid 10 minutes.”
• Resultant Tsunami: Waves between 82 and 262 feet devastated coastal regions, sweeping away towns across the Pacific, including Hawaii and Japan.
• Human Cost: Approximately 1,655 fatalities resulted from the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Human Sacrifice in Post-Earthquake Chile

Bailey explores the darker side of societal responses to disaster, focusing on human sacrifice in Chile following the 1960 earthquake. She narrates the tragic story of Jose Luis Pinecor, a five-year-old child sacrificed by local shamans believing it would appease the gods:

• Cultural Beliefs: “… the shaman believed that a pure human sacrifice was necessary to calm Mother Nature.”
• Tragic Outcome: Jose's brutal sacrifice involved mutilation and offering his body to the sea.
• Aftermath: The perpetrators were initially sentenced but later released, deemed to have acted under ancestral traditions beyond their control.

Bailey reflects on the profound cultural and emotional impact, stating, “… it goes to show the impact the earthquake had on every level, culturally, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Advancements in Seismology and Preparedness

Despite the horrors, Bailey highlights the positive advancements in understanding earthquakes:

• Scientific Progress: “… one positive thing that came out of the Valdivia earthquake was that seismologists understood the nature of earthquakes a lot better.”
• Preparedness Measures: Implementation of earthquake-resistant buildings and improved seismic codes, especially in earthquake-prone regions like California.

The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Bailey transitions to the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake in Japan, a 9.1 magnitude event that triggered a massive tsunami and subsequently a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant:

• Earthquake and Tsunami: “… waves reaching up to 130 feet swept away entire coastal towns in minutes.”
• Nuclear Crisis: The tsunami disabled cooling systems, leading to reactor meltdowns and radioactive leaks.
• Heroism: Fifty engineers, dubbed the “Fukushima 50,” stayed behind to stabilize the plant, exemplifying extraordinary bravery.
• Long-term Effects: Persistent radiation contamination has left entire towns abandoned, with ongoing environmental and public health crises.

Bailey reflects on the intertwined nature of natural disasters and technological vulnerabilities, noting, “… If there was a major earthquake near a power plant, no one was thinking about that yet.”

The San Andreas Fault and the Anticipation of the Big One

Focusing on California, Bailey discusses the San Andreas Fault, one of the longest and most studied fault lines. She explains:

• Fault Mechanics: “… two tectonic plates meet here, but instead of fitting perfectly together, they slide past each other.”
• Seismic Activity: Historical frequency of major earthquakes every 150 years, with the last significant event over 160 years ago.
• The Big One: The looming anticipation of a massive earthquake, with Bailey humorously lamenting, “… when? We're like, sometime soon or not?”

Preparedness Tips and Bailey’s Personal Insights

Bailey offers practical advice for earthquake preparedness, debunking myths and providing actionable steps:

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On: “… drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a table or sturdy piece of furniture or against a wall away from the windows, and you just stay put until the shaking stops.”
• Avoid Running: Emphasizing that fleeing during an earthquake can be dangerous due to falling debris and unstable structures.
• Safe Zones: Under tables or sturdy furniture, away from windows and heavy objects.

Bailey shares her personal coping mechanisms, including humorous anecdotes about mistaking air conditioning sounds for earthquakes, adding relatability to her advice.

Conclusion and Forward Look

Bailey concludes the episode by reassuring listeners that while earthquakes are terrifying natural events, preparedness and scientific advancements can mitigate their impact. She likens earthquakes to "Earth's healthy farts," necessary for releasing built-up pressure. The episode ends with a teaser for the next installment on the dark history of Chippendales, promising more gripping narratives intertwined with historical insights.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Confusion During Earthquakes:
  “[00:00] Bailey Sarian: ... Do I go to a doorway? Do I hide under a desk? Do I stop, drop, and roll?”

• Richter Scale Explanation:
  “... the Richter scale then takes that data from those seismographs and it turns it into a number.”

• Shaanxi Earthquake Description:
  “... houses built into the hills collapsed, burying entire villages alive.”

• Chilean Tsunami Impact:
  “... the water in the ocean started to pull back. So it pulls away from the beach... and it gets released.”

• Human Sacrifice Reflection:
  “... the shaman believed that a pure human sacrifice was necessary to calm Mother Nature.”

• Fukushima Heroism:
  “... the fifty engineers who stayed behind became like local heroes. They were even given the nickname the Fukushima 50 because of them.”

• Preparedness Advice:
  “... drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a table or sturdy piece of furniture or against a wall away from the windows, and you just stay put until the shaking stops.”

Key Takeaways

1. Earthquakes are Natural and Necessary: They release built-up tectonic stress, much like a fart releases gas.
2. Historical Disasters Shape Understanding: Events like the Shaanxi and Chilean earthquakes have provided valuable lessons for modern seismology and disaster preparedness.
3. Cultural Responses to Disaster Can Be Tragic: The Chilean human sacrifice highlights how fear and desperation can lead to horrifying actions.
4. Technological Vulnerabilities Persist: The Fukushima disaster underscores the risks associated with nuclear power in earthquake-prone areas.
5. Preparedness is Crucial: Understanding and practicing proper earthquake safety measures can save lives.

Bailey Sarian effectively combines historical narratives with personal anecdotes and practical advice, making complex geological and historical events accessible and engaging for her audience.