EARTHQUAKE, EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION

Prepared by:
DIGNA L.VINOYA
 Earthquake- a sudden and violent shaking of the ground
or the surface of the earth.
Focus/ hypocenter- earthquake’s point of initial rupture
Epicenter- point at ground level directly above the focus.
- great damage usually happens in the epicenter
or near it.

Tectonic earthquake- caused by plate tectonics

Volcanic earthquake- caused by the movement of magma beneath the surface of the
earth.
 CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKE:
1. Tectonic movements
2. Volcanic eruption
3. Landslide
4. Mudslide
5. Avalanche
6. Nuclear tests
7. Human activities like tunnel construction

* Most earthquakes happen/occur along the edge of oceanic and continental plates.
Where do earthquakes usually occur?
How are earthquakes studied?

Instruments used by seismologists:

Seismograph- records tremors
Magnetometers- detect changes on the magnetic field in an area
Tiltmeter- records changes in the slope of a surface
Radon detectors- measure radon gas in deep well waters
• *Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced when uranium decays
• * increase of radon gas often precedes earthquake
 INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE STUDY OF EARTHQUAKES

Tiltm eter
Magnetometer Seismograph Radon Detector
 Intensity- the severity of earthquake
- shaking is assess using a descriptive scale
- uses Roman numeral
- uses Mercalli Intensity Scale
I - INSTRUMENTAL- recorded only by seismograph
II - FEEBLE – felt only by some sensitive people
III - SLIGHT- commonly by people
- resembling vibration caused by heavy traffic
IV - MODERATE – commonly felt by people
- felt by walking people, rocking of free standing objects
V FAIRLY STRONG – Considerable amount of vibration which wakes up
people at sleep and causes bells ring.
VI STRONG - Minor damage to the buildings particularly to their
overhanging projecting parts.
- Trees sway, some damages from over turnings and falling
objects.
VII VERY STRONG - damages to buildings such as cracks in the walls
VIII DESTRUCTIVE - great damage to buildings involving overthrowing
of overhanging and projecting portions
- chimney falls
IX RUINOUS - severe damage to the buildings
- grounds begin to crack
- houses begin to collapse, and pipes leak
X DISASTROUS - with severe, general destruction of buildings
- grounds badly crack and many are destroyed
- there are some landslide
XI VERY DISASTROUS - with very severe destruction of buildings and
cracking of grounds
- few buildings remain standing, bridges and
railways are destroyed
- water, gas, electricity and telephone are out of
action
XII CATASTROPHIC - large scale to complete destruction of buildings
and ground
- objects are thrown into the air
- shaking and destruction of the ground
 Magnitude – earthquake’s size is quantitatively measured at its
source.
- uses Richter Magnitude Scale
Richter Magnitude Scale
0-2 - not felt by people
2-3 - felt by few people
3-4 - ceiling lights swing _ MINOR
4-5 - walls crack _ LIGHT
5-6 - furnitures move _ MODERATE
6-7 - some buildings collapse _ STRONG
7-8 - many buildings collapse _ MAJOR
8-up total destruction of buildings, roads and bridges _GREAT
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS AND
MITIGATION MEASURES
Some Precautionary Measures:
BEFORE:
1. Purchase earthquake kit and supplies.
Eathquake kit: - foods (canned foods ), manual opener
- bottled water
- jackets/ sweaters
- pair of shoes
- flashlight
- battery –operated radio
- essential medicines
- blankets
2. Make an earthquake preparedness plan.
- includes evacuation, location of emergency supplies, and other pertinent
informations.
3. Secure hazard.

DURING: Drop, cover and hold

AFTER:
1. Check for injuries and damage.
2. Communicate and recover.
ASSIGNMENT: Give some precautionary measures before, during and
after earthquake.