What is an

Earthquake?

CONTACT INFO
National Emergency Hotline in the Philippines :
An earthquake is the shaking of the surface 911
of the Earth, resulting from the sudden
Philippine National Police Hotline:
release of energy in the Earth’s lithosphere 117 or (02) 8722- 0650
that creates seismic waves.
Philippine Red Cross:
143 or (02) 8527-8385
Earthquakes can range in size from those
that are so weak that they cannot be felt to Bureau of Fire Protection: (02) 8426-0219 or
those violent enough to toss people (02) 8426-3812
around and destroy whole cities.

The seismicity or seismic activity of an area

refers to the frequency, type and size of
earthquakes experienced over a period of
time.

EARTHQUAKE
Prepare before its too
late. Time waits for no
man.
 BEFORE DURING AFTER
AN EARTHQUAKE AN EARTHQUAKE AN EARTHQUAKE
Place heavier objects on lower Stay calm and stay put. CHEC K F OR INJURIE S AND APPLY
shelves to prevent breakage and NECE S S A RY FIRST A ID.
personal injury.
If indoors, DROP to the ground; take
COVER by getting under a sturdy table or
other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON
Bolt to walls anything that might topple, until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a
like top-heavy shelves, appliances, and table or desk near you, cover your face
furniture. Don't hang heavy picture and head with your arms and crouch in
frames or mirrors an inside corner of the building, under a CHEC K F OR BUILDI NG DAMAGE AND
over the bed. desk or heavy table, cover your head POTE N T I AL SAFETY HAZARDS LIKE
Don't hang plants and neck and hold on until shaking CRAC K S AROUND C HIMNEYS OR
in heavy pots that stops. Stay away from windows or brick FOUN D A T IONS.
could swing free masonry (like fireplaces), bookcases,
of hooks. china cabinets and mirrors.

Locate master switches and LIST E N T O THE

shutoff valves for all utilities If outdoors, stay away from RADI O F OR PUBLIC
and know how to turn them off. buildings, trees and power lines. SAFE T Y
Your local utility company can INST R U C TIONS.
show you.
If driving, move away from overpasses,
stop slowly in a safe area, and stay in
your vehicle. Stay off bridges. Listen to
the radio.
Keep on hand a flashlight; a
portable radio with fresh batteries;
a first-aid kit; a fire extinguisher ; a
CHEC K G AS, WATER , ELECTRICAL
three-day supply of fresh water;
LINE S , A N D APPLIANCES FOR
nonperishable, ready-to-eat foods;
DAMA G E . DO NOT S WITCH ON THE
and an adjustable wrench for
GAS O R E L ECTRICITY AGAIN UNTIL
turning off gas and water.
THE P O W ER COMPA NY CHECKS YOUR
If in a high-rise building, stay in the HOME . D O NOT LIG HT MATCHES, USE
building, on the same floor. Get under a ANY O P E N FLAMES , OR TURN ON
desk and stay away ELEC T R I C A L SWITCHES OR
from outside walls APPL I A N CES UNTIL YOU ARE
and windows. Do CERT A I N T HAT THERE ARE NO GAS
not use the elevator. LEAK S .