“Earthquakes and plate tectonics are a vibrant and critical element that keeps this Earth alive. They’re part of the pulse. They’re part of the breathing of the planet that makes it a great place to live”
Background
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in size from those that are so weak that they cannot be felt to those violent enough to toss people around and destroy whole cities.
With 17,000 islands and over 80,000 kilometers of coast, Indonesia is vulnerable to sea-level rise and myriad natural disasters. Floods are the most the common hazard, but the unpredictability and wide-spread devastation caused by earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions make geological disasters much more threatening. The World Bank has estimated that 40 percent of the country’s population, or around 90 million people, are vulnerable to disaster.
Effects of earthquakes
- Shaking and ground rupture
- Landslides and avalanches
- Fires
- Tsunami
- Floods
- Human Impacts
What to Do Before an Earthquake
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.
- Learn first aid.
- Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity.
- Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake.
- Don’t leave heavy objects on shelves (they’ll fall during a quake).
- Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor.
- Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace.
What to Do During an Earthquake
- Stay calm!If you’re indoors, stay inside. If you’re outside, stay outside.
- If you’re indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors.
- If you’re outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you).
- Don’t use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and fire don’t mix.
- If you’re in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops.
- Don’t use elevators (they’ll probably get stuck anyway).
What to Do After an Earthquake
- Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who needs it.
- Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use someone else’s phone).
- Turn on the radio. Don’t use the phone unless it’s an emergency.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep from cutting your feet.
- Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you).
- Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking.
- Stay away from damaged areas.
- If you’re at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge.
- Expect aftershocks.
References
Ohnaka, M. (2013). The Physics of Rock Failure and Earthquakes. Cambridge University Press. p. 148. ISBN 9781107355330.
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/bda.html
DISUES
Disaster Issues