Earthquake For Dummies

What is an Earthquake?

An earthquake is the sudden violent shaking of the ground that causes great destruction, caused by the movement of the tectonic plates composing the earth’s crust. It begins when a tectonic plate slides against, away from, or beside another plate, and the effects are not very pretty.
Try to snap your fingers. Before the snap, you push your fingers together and sideways. Because you are pushing them together, friction keeps them from moving to the side. When you push sideways hard enough to overcome this friction, your fingers move suddenly, releasing energy in the form of sound waves that set the air vibrating and travel from your hand to your ear, where you hear the snap.

How to Prepare? Earthquakes usually cause mass destruction once they begin, and one must not be caught off-guard. To prepare for this calamity, one must have an emergency kit close at hand:

Contents of an Emergency Kit: Purpose:

• Standard whistle to signal nearby rescue teams and survivors
• Flashlight as light source
• Medical Supplies in case of mild or severe injury
• Phone w/ charger if signal is available and help can be contacted
• Canned goods in case one is trapped; food supply
• Can opener to access food supplies
• Water container water supply; must be replenished
• Important documents (e.g. passport, I.D., etc.) for identification

It's Happening! What to do?

When an earthquake occurs, one must know the right procedures.

• When the ground does shake and you’re within a building, find a sturdy furniture (e.g. tables/desks) 
• take refuge by doing the Duck, Cover and Hold procedure. 
• Do NOT stay under hanging lights or beams. 
• If you are outside and the ground shakes, stay away from tall buildings and other structures; stay in an open area. 
• If you are driving, stop the car and find an open space by foot. 
• In all these scenarios, make sure to warn and help anyone else during the event.
• Safety must be your best priority.  

                  

It's Done! Or is it..?

The main event may be finish, but stay cautious and alert!

• Check your surroundings for any obstacles. 
• Help any injured person around you. 
• Be cautious, for aftershocks may worsen your situation. 
• If trapped, call for help, or signal any surrounding survivors
• use any nearby emergency kit.
• Stay alert for any news

Effects

Earthquakes typically cause massive damage to cities, population, landforms and nature. Structures collapse, landforms shift, fires erupt, us humans die from the aftermath of an earthquake. But that’s not all. Cities along the coastline suffer the worst of them all: tsunamis. One must not be unprepared, especially if he/she lives along the pacific ring of fire, where earthquakes happen the most.

STAY PREPARED AT ALL TIMES

Group 3 | 8-Berchmans SY 2015-2016

Sources: http://goo.gl/3a2lvN // http://goo.gl/gdZshK // http://goo.gl/9HPygy // http://goo.gl/ZidwgM