Decoding Earthquakes

Aniket Keshav Sharma

y Every year, earthquakes cause great damage to life and property. In 2011, earthquakes in Japan (Tohoku area), Turkey (Van area), and New Zealand (Christchurch area) resulted in thousands losing their lives, and many more their homes and household effects. The 2010 Haiti earthquake was even more devastating. It would not be an exaggeration to say that earthquakes are amongst the fiercest manifestations of Mother Nature. At a basic level, earthquakes are shifts in the earths uppermost layer, the crust. The earths crust is a not uniform layer, but is instead fractured into divisions called plates. These plates exert pressure against each other along their borders, resulting in cracks called faults. Sometimes, there are cracks within a plate, leading to the formation of faults inside. When two plates move against each other near a fault or when different sections of a plate move against each other, there is a build-up of pressure. Sometimes, this pressure causes the plates to slip past each other with a tremendous release of energy. This release of energy causes an earthquake. As easy way to remember this is: y y y y y Earths outer layer: Crust Crust made up of: Plates Plates exert pressure on each other causing: Faults At very high pressure along faults: the plates slip, causing release of energy Movement of plates + Release of energy = earthquake y y

Take a rectangular piece of roam rubber. Foam rubber is commonly used as a packing material and in mattresses. If this is not available, use a common kitchen sponge. Break the piece in half using your hand, ensuring that the edged are rough or jagged. Place the halves on a table with the jagged edges touching each other. Push the halves against each other, while pushing one half upwards and one downwards, like so:

Image courtesy Michigan Technological University, 2007

As you push the halves of the foam against each other, pressure builds in the two pieces. Cracks will appear along the edges, and small portions of the foam may break. As you keep applying pressure, the foam will break and the two pieces will slip past each other. This is a fairly accurate approximation of what happens during an earthquake. The study of earthquakes is called Seismology. The term comes from seismic waves, which is the name given to the waves of energy that are released during an earthquake. Perhaps the most famous seismologist was Charles Francis Richter (1900 1985), who developed the Richter scale for the measurement of earthquake intensity. Though Richters own scale is not used any more, modern methods of measuring earthquakes are still popularly known as the Richter scale in his honor. Modern devices to measure earthquakes are known as seismographs, and these extremely sensitive

To understand how earthquakes occur, there is a simple experiment you can try at home, courtesy of Michigan Technological University:

instruments can detect even minor plate movements. These seismographs can be used to pinpoint the exact location where an earthquake originates, known as the epicenter of the earthquake. Earthquakes, in addition to the damage they cause to life and property, often result in changes to the landscape of the earthquakeaffected area. In February 2012, a team of research scientists from the US, Mexico, and China were able to use 3D imaging technology to create a model of the geological changes caused by earthquakes. According to geophysicist Eric Fielding of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, It helps scientists understand past events and assess the likelihood of future earthquakes in other complex systems of faults. Similar to these efforts, other scientists are working towards an accurate means of predicting future earthquakes, with a view to saving peoples lives and homes. Not all parts of the earths surface are equally prone to earthquakes. Regions that lie on or adjacent to faults are most prone to earthquakes, like California and Japan, while those that are away from known faults are relatively safe. Based on many factors, scientific and governmental bodies have divided the globe into seismic zones, thus identifying the risk of earthquakes in those regions. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, India can be divided into four seismic zones (Zone II, III, IV, and V), with earthquakes most likely in Zone V. Southern India falls largely within Zone II, with some areas in Zone III, making it one of the least seismically active parts of the country. In recent years, modern engineering has resulted in the development of earthquakeresistant buildings, especially in Japan. Though the Japanese capital Tokyo was badly affected by the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake, its earthquake-resistant buildings withstood the

assault of Mother Nature. A close friend of the author of this article was present on the fortythird floor of a Tokyo skyscraper during the earthquake, and she remembers the building swaying during the earthquake, but otherwise suffering no structural damage. Japan seems to have learnt lessons from the 1995 earthquake that devastated Kobe and neighboring areas. In Taiwan, the 509 m. (1671 ft.) tall Taipei 101 building is equipped with tuned mass dampener technology, which allows it to withstand both earthquakes and typhoons. However, protecting buildings and other structures against earthquakes is not enough. Every person needs to be aware of the dangers posed by earthquakes, and be equipped to follow safety measures. Students can ask their teachers to organize earthquake training and safety drills in educational institutions. Members of civil defence bodies should be especially aware of the measures to be taken in India, the National Civil Defence College in Nagpur organizes relevant training courses. We must remember that only preparedness will protect us in the event of an earthquake.