Be Prepared: Before, During and After an Earthquake

How to be Prepared

• Electricity, water, gas and telephones may not work after an earthquake. The police and fire departments are likely to be tied up. You should be prepared to fend for yourself for at least three days, preferably for a week.  

• You'll need food and water; a first aid kit; a fire extinguisher; a flashlight; a portable radio; extra batteries, blankets, clothes and money. This list can also be applied to other disasters, such as floods or forest fires.  

• It’s also a good idea to decide how and where your family will reunite if you are separated during an earthquake.

• Bolt tall, heavy furniture to the wall to prevent it from falling. Place flammable liquids, heavy objects and breakable objects on low shelves or in secure cabinets.

During an Earthquake

• If you're indoors, stay there. Get under a desk or table, or stand against an interior wall. Stay away from exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances. The kitchen is a dangerous place. If you’re in an office building, stay away from windows and do not use the elevator.  

• If you're outside, get into the open area. Stay away from buildings, trees, power lines or anything else that can fall on you.

• If you're driving, move the car out of traffic and stop. Do not park under or on bridges. Try to get away from trees, light posts, signs and power lines. 

• If you're in a mountainous area, remember about landslides. If you're near the ocean, remember that the earthquake can provoke tsunami. So get to high ground.  

• If you’re in a crowded public place, do not panic and do not run to the exit. Stay calm and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.

After an Earthquake

• Inspect your home for damage.

• Check for fire. If you smell gas, turn it off.

• Check for injuries. Do not move anyone who is seriously injured.  

• If the phone is working, only use it in case of emergency.

• Avoid driving if possible to keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.  

• Listen to the radio for important information and instructions. 

• If you leave home, leave a message telling friends and family about your location.

Interesting Facts about Earthquake

There are many interesting facts about an earthquake. An earthquake is interesting because there is so much that people do not know about it.

The following are many interesting facts about an earthquake that can prove useful as well as fun.

• One interesting fact about earthquakes is that animals can sense or detect earthquakes before they occur.

• European settlers in America experienced an earthquake in the 17th century.

• In 1556, an earthquake occurred in Shansi, China killing 830,000 people. According to the records, this earthquake is the deadliest in history.

• Moonquakes, seismographic activity on the moon, do occur, but less frequent than on earth. They have smaller magnitudes than earthquakes on the Earth.

• Normally the depth of an earthquake is around fifty miles below the surface of the earth.

• More interesting fact about earthquake is that only twenty percent of earthquakes can be felt.

• Southern California witnesses about 10,000 earthquakes per year.

• Spanish explorers reported an earthquake in 1769, about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles, California.

• The first primitive seismographs were built in 1751, before man even knew what an earthquake was.

• The frequency and magnitude of earthquakes are increasing every year.

• The Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, discovered that soft ground shakes more than the hard and rocky ground during an earthquake.

• The intensity of an earthquake is “how much the earth’s crust is shaking” is generated by an earthquake and does vary with location.

• The magnitude of an earthquake is “how big an earthquake is”, so it does not vary by location.

• The San Andreas Fault zone is more than 800 miles and up to 10 miles deep.

• There are 500,000 earthquakes around the world each year. 100,000 of those can be felt. 100 of them cause damage.

• Tsunamis are initially caused by an underwater earthquake, which displaces ocean water relatively quickly.

Topic 21. Ecological Problems