Ground shaking

Shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic

waves, especially surface waves near the epicentre of
the earthquake are responsible for the most damage
during an earthquake. The intensity of ground shaking
depends on:
conditions of the local geology influence evenuts: solid
bedrock is far less subject to intense shaking than loose
sediment;
duration and intensity of the earthquake are subject
generally to the size of the earthquake;
distance: ss the distance from the epicentre drops off so
the intensity of the shaking decreases. This depends on
the type of material underlying the area. There are
however some exceptions. The 1985 Earthquake in
Mexico city (magnitude 8.1) had its epicentre 350 Kms
away to the south on the coast. Damage to city was
extensive as Mexico city is built on a former lake made
up of soft unconsolidated sediment (see: Liquefaction
further down).
Faulting and Ground Rupture
When an earthquake event occurs, ground rupture is
only where the fault zone moves. Those constructions
built adjacent to the fault will survive while structures
built across these zones will collapse.
Landslides and ground subsidence
Avalanches, landslides, slumps and rock slides are
triggered by ground shaking. These landslides are often
more destructive than the earthquakes. A residential
area in Alaska (Turnagain Heights) was destroyed by a
shock induced landslide as well as are in downtown
Anchorage.
Damage to man-made structures
Damage to man-made structures, such as roads, bridges,
dams and buildings from ground motion depends on the
type of construction:
concrete and masonry structures are brittle and thus
more susceptible to damage and collapse;
damage to wood and steel structures is far less because
of its flexibility.

EARTHQUAKE
An earthquake (also known as
a quake, tremor or temblor) is the
perceptible shaking of the surface of the
Earth, resulting from the sudden release of
energy in the Earth's crust that
creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can be
violent enough to toss people around and
destroy whole cities.
The seismicity or seismic activity of an
area refers to the frequency, type and size
of earthquakes experienced over a period
of time.

Why Do Earthquakes
Happen?
Earthquakes are usually caused when rock
underground suddenly breaks along a fault.
This sudden release of energy causes the
seismic waves that make the ground shake.
When two blocks of rock or two plates are
rubbing against each other, they stick a little.
They don't just slide smoothly; the rocks catch
on each other. The rocks are still pushing
against each other, but not moving. After a
while, the rocks break because of all the
pressure that's built up. When the rocks break,
the earthquake occurs. During the earthquake
and afterward, the plates or blocks of rock
start moving, and they continue to move until
they get stuck again. The spot underground
where the rock breaks is called the focus of the
earthquake. The place right above the focus
(on top of the ground) is called
the epicenter of the earthquake.

During an Earthquake:
Indoor Safety
DROP down onto your hands and
knees before the earthquake knocks you down.
This position protects you from falling but
allows you to still move if necessary.
COVER your head and neck (and your entire
body if possible) under the shelter of a sturdy
table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get
down near an interior wall or next to low-lying
furniture that won't fall on you, and cover your
head and neck with your arms and hands.
HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head
and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared
to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts
it around.

What NOT to do during

an earthquake
What rescuers and experts DO NOT recommend
you do during an earthquake
DO NOT stand in a doorway.
An enduring earthquake image of California is a
collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the
only standing part. From this came our belief that a
doorway is the safest place to be during an
earthquake.
DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during
shaking
The area near the exterior walls of a building is the
most dangerous place to be. Windows, facades and
architectural details are often the first parts of the
building to collapse. To stay away from this danger
zone, stay inside if you are inside and outside if
you are outside.
DO NOT get in the triangle of life
In recent years, an e-mail has been circulating
which describes an alternative to the longestablished Drop, Cover, and Hold On advice.
The so-called triangle of life and some of the
other actions recommended in the e-mail are

potentially life threatening, and the credibility of

the source of these recommendations has been
broadly questioned.

What are the ways

to reduce
earthquake
damage?

Earthquakes are considered to be one of

the most devastating natural disasters. Due
to its catastrophic capabilities, many
nations or areas on fault lines wish to find
a method by which to reduce the possible
damage of this earthquake. There are many
methods of reducing this damage. First
there needs to be an educated building
industry. By this I mean that before
constructing, sites must be analyzed for by
officals in the aspects of the geological
structure and soil type. Additionally, a
hazard map should be created, in order to
show citizens which areas are favorable to
live. This may help form residential areas
in less earthquake damage risk places. Also
the companies of the building industry
could invest into more earthquake proof
materials such as rubber shocks and
reinforced steel, these materials will help
prevent excess building damage. Finally, in
order to save lives communities need to be
more prepared for earthquakes. Local
communites should all have drills to
practice what to do in case of an
earthquake, such as where is a safe place to
go, which areas to avoid and possibly how

to protect themselves from falling debris.

Also Emergency supplies and plans should
be kept by these commmunities to deal
with the aftermath of an earthquake on any
scale. All these factors combined could be
effective in reducing earthquake damage.