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Appendix A

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Appendix
C (PDF 1.6MB)

Are You Ready?

Earthquakes

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe
earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. An earthquake is a sudden movement of
the earth, caused by the abrupt release of strain that has accumulated over a
long time. For hundreds of millions of years, the forces of plate tectonics have
shaped the earth, as the huge plates that form the earth’s surface slowly move
over, under, and past each other. Sometimes, the movement is gradual. At other
times, the plates are locked together, unable to release the accumulating
energy. When the accumulated energy grows strong enough, the plates break free.
If the earthquake occurs in a populated area, it may cause many deaths and
injuries and extensive property damage.

Know the Terms

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify an earthquake
hazard:

Earthquake
A sudden slipping or movement of a portion of
the earth’s crust, accompanied and followed by a series of vibrations.

Aftershock
An earthquake of similar or lesser intensity
that follows the main earthquake.

Fault
The fracture across which displacement has occurred
during an earthquake. The slippage may range from less than an inch to more than
10 yards in a severe earthquake.

Epicenter
The place on the earth’s surface directly above
the point on the fault where the earthquake rupture began. Once fault slippage
begins, it expands along the fault during the earthquake and can extend hundreds
of miles before stopping.

Seismic Waves
Vibrations that travel outward from the
earthquake fault at speeds of several miles per second. Although fault slippage
directly under a structure can cause considerable damage, the vibrations of
seismic waves cause most of the destruction during earthquakes.

Magnitude
The amount of energy released during an
earthquake, which is computed from the amplitude of the seismic waves. A
magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale indicates an extremely strong earthquake.
Each whole number on the scale represents an increase of about 30 times more
energy released than the previous whole number represents. Therefore, an
earthquake measuring 6.0 is about 30 times more powerful than one measuring
5.0.

Take Protective Measures

Before an Earthquake

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and
your property in the event of an earthquake:

Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible
utility connections. Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas
or electrical lines yourself.

Bolt down and secure to the wall studs your water heater, refrigerator,
furnace, and gas appliances. If recommended by your gas company, have an
automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.

Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves, mirrors,
and large picture frames to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.

Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or
in cabinets that fasten shut.

Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.

Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.

Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible
fittings are more resistant to breakage.

Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside
wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.

Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover, and hold on!

During an Earthquake

Minimize your movements during an earthquake to a few steps to a nearby safe
place. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is
safe.

If you are

Then:

Indoors

Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or bench or against
an inside wall, and hold on. If there isn’t a table or desk near you,
cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of
the building.

Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and
walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or
furniture.

Stay in bed - if you are there when the earthquake
strikes - hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are
under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the
nearest safe place.

Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in
close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported,
loadbearing doorway.

Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe
to go outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit
by falling objects when entering into or exiting from buildings.

Be
aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire
alarms may turn on.

DO NOT use the elevators.

Outdoors

Stay there.

Move away from buildings, streetlights,
and utility wires.

In a moving vehicle

Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.
Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility
wires.

Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped, watching
for road and bridge damage.

Trapped under debris

Do not light a match.· Do not move about or kick up
dust.

Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

Tap
on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is
available. Shout only as a last resort - shouting can cause you to inhale
dangerous amounts of dust.

After an Earthquake

Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less
violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage
to weakened structures.

Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically
requested by police, fire, or relief organizations.

Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also
known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”). When local
authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves
is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

Knowledge Check

Check your knowledge about what to do during an earthquake. For each
question, choose answer A or B and circle the correct response. When you have
finished, check your responses using the answer key.

What action should you take during an earthquake? The answer varies by where
you are when an earthquake strikes. For each situation, pick the best course of
action from the choices given.

At home:

Stay inside

Go out to the street

In bed:

Stand by a window to see what is happening

Stay in bed and protect your head with a pillow

In any building:

Stand in a doorway

Crouch in an inside corner away from the exterior wall

On the upper floor of an apartment building:

Take the elevator to the ground floor as quickly as possible

Stay in an interior room under a desk or table

Outdoors:

Run into the nearest building

Stay outside away from buildings

Driving a car:

Stop the car in an open area

Stop the car under an overpass

For More Information

If you require more information about any of these topics, the following are
resources that may be helpful.

FEMA Publications
Avoiding Earthquake Damage: A Checklist
for Homeowners. Safety tips for before, during, and after an earthquake

Preparedness in High-Rise Buildings. FEMA-76. Earthquake safety tips for
high-rise dwellers

Learning to Live in Earthquake Country: Preparedness in Apartments and Mobile
Homes. L-143. Safety tips on earthquake preparation for residents of apartments
and mobile homes

Family Earthquake Safety Home Hazard Hunt and Drill. FEMA-113. How to
identify home hazards; how to conduct earthquake drills

Earthquake Preparedness: What Every Childcare Provider Should Know. FEMA 240.
Publication for teachers and for presentation to children. Available online at
www.fema.gov/kids/tch_eq.htm

Last Modified: Tuesday, 21-Mar-2006 08:56:11 EST

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