EARTHQUAKE

Earthquake, trembling or shaking movement of the earth's surface. Most earthquakes are minor tremors. Larger earthquakes usually begin with slight tremors but rapidly take the form of one or more violent shocks, and end in vibrations of gradually diminishing force called aftershocks. The subterranean point of origin of an earthquake is called its focus; the point on the surface directly above the focus is the epicenter. The magnitude and intensity of an earthquake is determined by the use of scales, e.g., the Richter scale and the Mercalli scale.

Causes of Earthquakes
Most earthquakes are causally related to compressional or tensional stresses built up at the margins of the huge moving lithospheric plates that make up the earth's surface (see lithosphere). The immediate cause of most shallow earthquakes is the sudden release of stress along a fault, or fracture in the earth's crust, resulting in movement of the opposing blocks of rock past one another. These movements cause vibrations to pass through and around the earth in wave form, just as ripples are generated when a pebble is dropped into water. Volcanic eruptions, rock falls, landslides, and explosions can also cause a quake, but most of these are of only local extent. Shock waves from a powerful earthquake can trigger smaller earthquakes in a distant location hundreds of miles away if the geologic conditions are favorable. Earthquake Precautions can Save Your Life The earthquake struck twice near Indonesia and the tremors triggered panic in the cities of India. A few buildings in the city developed minor cracks. But there is no need to panic or fear about any major aftershocks. The rumbling of the earth happens innumerable times frequently, but major tremor happens rarely and leaves an enormous impact. It is always better to acquire a little knowledge and precautionary measures to sustain an earthquake. Learning a few precautionary measures in case of severe tremors can increase your chances of survival and more. Mediums such as awareness programmes, education, word of mouth and so on can be used in order to saves lives during earthquakes. Here are some safety measures for earthquake preparation, during and after earthquake. Seismic Waves There are several types of earthquake waves including P, or primary, waves, which are compressional and travel fastest; and S, or secondary, waves, which are transverse, i.e., they cause the earth to vibrate perpendicularly to the direction of their motion. Surface waves consist of several major types and are called L, or long, waves. Since the velocities of the P and S waves are affected by changes in the density and rigidity of the material through which they pass, the boundaries between the regions of the earth known as the crust, mantle, and core have been discerned by seismologists, scientists who deal with the analysis and interpretation of earthquake waves (see earth). Seismographs (see seismology) are used to record P, S, and L waves. The disappearance of S waves below depths of 1,800 mi (2,900 km) indicates that at least the outer part of the earth's core is liquid.

Damage Caused by Earthquakes

The effects of an earthquake are strongest in a broad zone surrounding the epicenter. Surface ground cracking associated with faults that reach the surface often occurs, with horizontal and vertical displacements of several

yards common. Such movement does not have to occur during a major earthquake; slight periodic movements called fault creep can be accompanied by microearthquakes too small to be felt. The extent of earthquake vibration and subsequent damage to a region is partly dependent on characteristics of the ground. For example, earthquake vibrations last longer and are of greater wave amplitudes in unconsolidated surface material, such as poorly compacted fill or river deposits; bedrock areas receive fewer effects. The worst damage occurs in densely populated urban areas where structures are not built to withstand intense shaking. There, L waves can produce destructive vibrations in buildings and break water and gas lines, starting uncontrollable fires. Damage and loss of life sustained during an earthquake result from falling structures and flying glass and objects. Flexible structures built on bedrock are generally more resistant to earthquake damage than rigid structures built on loose soil. In certain areas, an earthquake can trigger mudslides, which slip down mountain slopes and can bury habitations below. A submarine earthquake can cause a tsunami, a series of damaging waves that ripple outward from the earthquake epicenter and inundate coastal cities. Major Earthquakes On average about 1,000 earthquakes with intensities of 5.0 or greater are recorded each year. Great earthquakes (intensity 8.0 or higher) occur once a year, major earthquakes (intensity 7.07.9) occur 18 times a year, strong earthquakes (intensity 6.06.9) 10 times a month, and moderate earthquakes (intensity 5.05.9) more than twice a day. Because most of these occur under the ocean or in underpopulated areas, they pass unnoticed by all but seismologists. Notable earthquakes have occurred at Lisbon, Portugal (1755); New Madrid, Mo. (1811 and 1812); Charleston, S.C. (1886); Assam, India (1897 and 1950); San Francisco (1906); Messina, Italy (1908); Gansu, China (1920); Tokyo, Japan (1923); Chile (1960); Iran (1962); Managua, Nicaragua (1972); Guatemala (1976); Hebei, China (1976); Mexico (1985); Armenia (1988); Luzon, Philippines (1990); N Japan (1993); Kobe, Japan (1995); Izmit, Turkey (1999); central Taiwan (1999); Oaxaca state, Mexico (1999); Bam, Iran (2003); NW Sumatra, Indonesia (2004); and Sichuan, China (2008). The Lisbon, Chilean, and Sumatran earthquakes were accompanied by tsunamis. On Good Friday 1964, one of the most severe North American earthquakes ever recorded struck Alaska, measuring 8.4 to 8.6 in intensity. Besides elevating some 70,000 sq mi (181,300 sq km) of land and devastating several cities, it generated a tsunami that caused damage as far south as California. Ten of the fifteen largest earthquakes in the United States have occurred in Alaska, and eight of the fifteen largest in the continental United States have occurred in California. Recent earthquakes that affected the United States include the Feb., 1971, movement of the San Fernando fault near Los Angeles. It rocked the area for 10 sec, thrust parts of mountains 8 ft (2.4 m) upward, killed 64 persons, and caused damage amounting to $500 million. In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake above Santa Cruz shook for 15 seconds at an intensity of 7.1, killed 67 people, and toppled buildings and bridges. In Jan., 1994, an earthquake measuring 6.6 with its epicenter in N Los Angeles caused major damage to the city's infrastructure and left thousands homeless.

Safety actions before the earthquake; Be aware and prepare for an earthquake alert plan and learn to feel ground motions instantly. You need to be prepared and should act fast, as most of the earthquakes occur instantly. Be prepared and consult a professional to make your home substantial during any natural disasters. Buildings made out of wood are the safest type to withstand an earthquake. As wood is flexible and moves with the force of an earthquake. The collapse of a wooden building can cause fewer deaths. Safety measures like installing sturdy latches on cupboards, bolting bookcases to wall studs and

strapping water heater and other machineries to wall studs can be opted. Also you can eliminate all the hazardous materials and junk in and around your home. Detect any unsecured electrical connection and eliminate it. Heavy objects should be placed on lower shelves and breakable objects and wall hanging materials should be kept in locked cabinets. A rescue plan is what everyone needs to make beforehand. Have a meeting with all the family members and locate all the places of exit during natural calamities. Planning for such times is not a difficult job and you have to make sure that your evacuation plan also includes a reunion method. You can also inform about your survival plans to your relatives or friends out of state and get the precise address, name and number. Remember that the exiting plan includes an accessible passage or a window where all the children can get out. Storing all the necessary commodities like canned foods, first aid kits and gallons of water, safety protection items, communicating objects and flashlights in a suitable place. Other flammable liquids and equipments should be placed away from each other or locked up inside. Also try switching off the electricity main, gas, water faucets and others. Make sure that your home is safe in all the ways. Maximum numbers of houses have a weak structure, feeble foundations, roofs, walls, vulnerable pipelines and other furniture. If you have come across anything such in and around your home, take an immediate action and repair it to avoid further disaster. Installing a fire alarm or a disaster alarm inside or outside your apartment can save a lot of lives. Avoid having a swimming pool or a large water tank on your terrace as this can pose a grave danger by misbalancing the water density during an earthquake. Make sure to attach all the large furniture of your home to the walls so as to avoid their collapse. If youre indoors during an earthquake, rush to a safer place and duck down under sturdy furniture, table or any strong point of the home where there are less chances of a collapse. Do not rush towards the exit until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, it is safe for you to run towards the exit. Avoid standing under book shelves or near breakable objects like mirrors, windows, mounted items, heavy appliances, heavy furniture or a fireplace. When indoors, turn off the stove and other electrical appliances and seek safety. If you are in bed, hold on and lie there, protecting your head with a pillow. You can also roll off the bed and lie down on the floor in a foetal position next to any large furniture. If youre outdoors during an earthquake, rush to a spot which is away from buildings, trees and power cables. Do not stand under a bridge, highway or hoardings. Stop driving your car once you feel the tremor. Immediately get out of your car and lie down next to it. Doing this can save your life. Also stop your car in a safe place which is away from buildings, trees, power cables, bridges and others.

Safety actions during an earthquake:

Do not run to the doorway or stay near it. Standing under a doorway causes the doorjamb to fall forward, backward or sideways in which a person standing in any of the position will be killed. Never run on the stairs during an earthquake as the stairs have different movements of frequencies and get separated from the building. Stairs are the most likely parts of a building to be damaged; hence they should be avoided at any cost. Stairs seem to be strong during an earthquake but tend to collapse if they are flooded with people. Seek help immediately and check for injuries or damage caused to people. Also you should make sure that you are completely equipped with the first aid and are aware of the techniques. Stay alert and identify hazardous materials like a gas leakage, water leakage, sewage leakage and electrical short circuits. If you spot any of these immediately report to the government or the concerned authorities. Post the natural disaster if your building is badly damaged; evacuate the building to avoid further chaos. Avoid using the telephone except for an emergency. If anyone is trapped under the remains of a building, avoid lighting a match, avoid moving or kicking up the dust, cover the mouth and whistle or tap on any object to attract attention by the helpers. Stay alert for any aftershocks. Henceforth we hope that you have an idea of how to survive during an earthquake. Getting to know these important points and information not only saves your life but also the lives of your near and dear ones.

Safety actions after an earthquake: