EARTHQUAKE

A weak to violent shaking of the ground

produced by sudden movement of rock
materials below the earth’s surface.
 Earthquake Hazards

Ground Rupture Ground shaking

Tsunami

Liquefaction Landslide
Fire
 Ground Shaking
• The disruptive up and down and
sideways motion experienced during
an earthquake.
• Ground shaking is the most familiar
effect of earthquakes. It is a result
of the passage of seismic waves
through the ground, and ranges
from quite gentle in small
earthquakes to incredibly violent in
large earthquakes.
 Fault (Ground) Rupture
 Shaking and ground rupture are the main effects created by earthquakes,
principally resulting in more or less severe damage to buildings and other
rigid structures. The severity of the local effects depends on the complex
combination of the earthquake magnitude, the distance from the epicenter,
and the local geological and geomorphological conditions, which may
amplify or reduce wave propagation. The ground-shaking is measured by
ground acceleration.

Ground Rupture
 Tsunami
 Tsunamis are long-wavelength, long-period sea
waves produced by the sudden or abrupt
movement of large volumes of water—including
when an earthquake occurs at sea. In the open
ocean the distance between wave crests can
surpass 100 kilometers (62 mi), and the wave
periods can vary from five minutes to one hour.
Such tsunamis travel 600–800 kilometers per
hour (373–497 miles per hour), depending on
water depth. Large waves produced by an
earthquake or a submarine landslide can overrun
nearby coastal areas in a matter of minutes.
Tsunamis can also travel thousands of kilometers
across open ocean and wreak destruction on far
shores hours after the earthquake that generated
them.
 Liquefaction
 takes place when loosely
packed, water-logged sediments
at or near the ground surface
lose their strength in response to
strong ground shaking.
Liquefaction occurring beneath
buildings and other structures
can cause major damage during
earthquakes.
 Landslide
• The movement of a mass of
rock, debris or earth, down a
slope, when shear stress
exceeds shear strength of the
material. They are normally
triggered by rain and/or
earthquake.
• Earthquakes can produce
slope instability leading to
landslides, a major geological
hazard. Landslide danger
may persist while emergency
personnel are attempting
rescue.
 Fires
Earthquakes can cause
fires by damaging electrical
power or gas lines. In the
event of water mains
rupturing and a loss of
pressure, it may also
become difficult to stop the
spread of a fire once it has
started.
 What to do BEFORE?
The key to effective disaster prevention
is planning.
Determine if site is along an active fault
and/or prone to liquefaction or
landslide.
Use proper structural design and
engineering practice when constructing
a house or building.
Evaluate structural soundness of
buildings and important infrastructures;
strengthen or retrofit if found necessary.
 What to do BEFORE?
Familiarize yourself
with your place of
work/study and residence
Identify relatively strong parts of the building
where you can take refuge during an
earthquake
 door jambs
 elevator shafts
 sturdy tables
Learn to use fire extinguishers, first aid kits,
alarms and emergency exits. These should be
accessible/conveniently located and properly
marked.
 What to do BEFORE?
Prepare your place of work and residence
for the event
 Strap heavy furniture to walls to
prevent sliding or toppling.
 Store breakable items, harmful
chemicals and flammable materials
in lowermost shelves and secure
firmly.
 Turn off gas tanks when not in use.
 Keep heavy materials in lower
shelves.
 Check stability of hanging objects.
 Maintain an earthquake survival kit.
Survival Kit
 What to do DURING?
 Ifinside a structurally sound building, stay
there!
Protect your body from
falling debris by bracing
yourself in a doorway or
by getting under a sturdy
desk or table.
 What to do DURING?
Duck – get under a sturdy piece of
furniture, making yourself into a little
ball (do not duck under beds or other
objects that could collapse).

Cover – keep your head and eyes protected

from falling or flying objects. Cover your
head with one hand.

Hold – with your other hand, hold onto

the piece of furniture. If it moves, move
with it. Stay under shelter until you are
sure the shaking has stopped.
 What to do DURING?
If inside a structurally sound building, stay there!

Get away from power lines,

posts, walls and other structures Stay away from buildings with
that may fall or collapse. glass panes.
 What to do AFTER?
If inside an old, weak structure, take the Fastest and safest way out!

Get out calmly in an orderly manner.

Do not rush to the exit.

Use the stairs. Do not use elevators.

Check yourself and others for

injuries.
 What to do AFTER?
Check surroundings
Clean up chemical spills,
toxic flammable materials to
avoid any chain of unwanted
events.
Check for fire and if any,
have it controlled.
Check water and electrical
lines for defects. If any damage
is suspected, turn the system
off in the main valve or switch.
 What to do AFTER?
 Help reduce the number of casualties from the earthquake:

Don’t enter partially damaged

building, strong aftershocks may
cause these to collapse.
Gather information and disaster
prevention instruction from
battery-operated radios.
Obey public safety precautions.
 What to do AFTER?
Ifyou must evacuate your
residence, leave a message stating
where you are going

Take with you your

earthquake survival kit,
which should contain all
necessary items for your
protection and comfort.