Any natural disasters cause panic among the population. In order to avoid wrong actions, each person must know how to behave during such situations. One of the most common natural phenomena is an earthquake. It is impossible to prevent it, but you can save your life. The main thing is not to succumb to public panic and maintain a sober mind. But to understand what to do in an earthquake, you need to know what this cataclysm is.
More about the phenomenon
Earthquakes occur due to vibrations and shocks of the Earth's surface, they are caused by tectonic processes or can be provoked during a strong explosion. In fact, such phenomena occur quite often on our planet, but not all lead to catastrophic consequences. Many occur under the thickness of the oceans, and we simply do not feel them. In any case, everyone should know what to do in case of an earthquake. It directly depends on the correctness of actions whether you save your life or not.
Some earthquakes under water cause strong tsunamis that hit with a powerful force andtake millions of lives. Mankind will never be able to control geophysical planetary processes. That is why there are services that monitor the development centers of a future disaster and take appropriate measures to save the population.
Classification of earthquakes depending on the points
There is a specialized earthquake scale that measures magnitude and intensity. The latter is calculated in points, which are established from the deformation of the earth's crust and the degree of destruction of surface buildings and structures. Consider a more detailed twelve-point Mercalli scale:
- 1 - Such shocks are completely unnoticed by people, only high-precision devices react to minor fluctuations in the earth's crust.
- 2 - Fluctuations are felt by residents of high-rise buildings. The rest will not pay attention to such a phenomenon.
- 3 - Noticeable vibration occurs on the upper floors of a high-rise building. Chandeliers can swing, water in a glass trembles. A car in a parking lot will sound the alarm due to noticeable vibrations.
- 4 - Can be described as a moderate earthquake. Everyone who is in the room will definitely feel the movement of the earth's plates. Doors and windows begin to loosen, and glass emits a characteristic rattle. This is especially noticeable in the middle of the night, many wake up.
- 5 - Such an earthquake does not go unnoticed, everyone feels the vibrations of the earth's surface. In many apartments, cracks appear on the windows, objects fall fromshelves.
- 6 - Fluctuations cause public panic. Everyone begins to run out into the streets, and pieces of furniture move around the apartment on their own. Heavy objects fall from shelves. Even the trees emit a characteristic rustle of leaves, the cracking of trunks is heard.
- 7 - An earthquake strong enough to knock a person off their feet. Many buildings are covered with cracks, unstable ground collapses. The water in lakes and rivers is sharply cloudy from the silt raised from the bottom. Furniture breaks, dishes break.
- 8 - An earthquake that destroys buildings. The branches on the trees break, the ground cracks underfoot.
- 9 - A catastrophic situation during which buildings collapse and a lot of people die. Dams collapse, water pipes burst under pressure.
- 10 - The earth doesn't just wobble, it moves and entire cities collapse. As a rule, a couple of hours before the disaster, animals begin to panic, which foresee an imminent death. Huge cracks form in the soil, water splashes out of rivers and lakes. The rails are deformable.
- 11 - Almost all buildings are destroyed, only a few buildings manage to stand. Railway tracks warp for miles.
- 12 - A real disaster that destroys all life. Even riverbeds are changing, and out of the blue, fountains start gushing out of the ground. Completely new lakes are forming, the landscape is transforming beyond recognition.
The higher the scale of earthquakes, the more difficult it is to correct the consequences. Induring the great catastrophes, entire cities perish, people are left homeless. Their houses are turning into ruins, and from under the rubble, rescuers still get the bodies of the dead for a long time.
How is magnitude determined
Earthquake magnitude is set on the basis of data obtained from a precise measuring instrument - a seismograph. Its more common name is the Richter scale. It was developed back in 1935, and has since been widely used by specialists around the world. It is the amount of energy that is released during a catastrophe that is taken into account in this scale.
The following are the main numbers by which the magnitude of any earthquake is determined:
- 2, 0 - very weak shocks that not all residents can notice;
- 4, 5 – Moderate ground wobble causing movement of objects and minor damage;
- 6, 0 - shocks of such force that buildings are destroyed (during them it is difficult for people to stand on their feet);
- 8, 5 - catastrophic consequences (whole cities literally turn into a pile of garbage).
Scientists believe that cataclysms with a higher magnitude than 9.0 cannot occur on the planet.
Better to prevent than to fix later
Competent protection of the population from earthquakes significantly reduces the overall percentage of victims. If a possible source of a future catastrophe is established, then people must be evacuated. But in any case, everyone should take care of their own safety. You have to be ready all the timeto such an incident and know exactly what to do in an earthquake.
First, make preparations to deal with panic and unforeseen natural disasters. If you live in a seismically hazardous area, there must be a standard set of items at home that are designed to survive in a dangerous situation. Be sure to collect all documents and keep them in a conspicuous place.
The most important rules
Let's consider the main measures to prepare for a disaster, as well as what to do in case of an earthquake:
- A first-aid kit with all the necessary medicines should always be in a conspicuous place in your home. Be sure to put a lighter and a battery-operated radio in there.
- Purchase a small fire extinguisher, check if it works.
- Situations can be different, so it is better to know the basic rules of first aid. In an emergency, you should be able to help others and yourself on your own, take the necessary medicines and put splints on fractures.
- Turn off the taps that supply gas, water and electricity to your home immediately at the slightest shock.
- Heavy furniture is better to securely attach to the floor, so as not to be crushed by your favorite wardrobe.
- Always keep a plan of action and evacuation in mind, consider where it is best to hide with all family members.
- Do not store heavy or breakable items on shelves.
- Have a supply of water (at least a small flask with you).
Earthquake precautions and precautions
Each person first of all independently ensures their own safety during an earthquake. If you feel tremors, then you should not try to move in a panic state. If you are indoors, it is best to immediately choose a safe corner and lie down on the floor. Do not forget to protect your head with your hands from possible fragments and falling objects. Do not get up until you are sure that the tremors have completely stopped.
According to statistics, many people are killed by falling objects. These are cabinets, TVs, heavy figurines, etc. You can escape from a collapsing building, the main thing is to choose the right tactics. In any case, stay calm and do not run around the street or indoors.
Follow all the earthquake rules developed by rescuers, and then you save your own life. Be sure to lie on the floor and move only by crawling. Standing on your feet will most likely cause much more serious damage.
If you live in a dilapidated brick building, then at the slightest shock, grab your documents and run outside. Try not to stand near skyscrapers and trees, find an open safe area.
Unusual situations and how to survive in them
Observe all safety measures in case of an earthquake. If you are on crowded public transport, it is best to leave it and take a horizontal position.
Evenbeing in an elevator involves the person lying on the floor. Thus, you can protect yourself. As soon as everything stops, exit on the first floor and run outside. If the doors are blocked and you feel that the building has suffered significant damage, wait for the help of rescuers.
While in the stadium or theater, stay where you are and cover your head with your hands. In such a situation, there is a high risk of dying from a stampede, so do not panic and try to calm those around you.
If you are driving, turn off the car in a safe place. Nearby there should be no buildings, lampposts and bridges. After that, do not go outside, stay in the car. The best thing to do would be to turn on the radio and listen to the recommendations of the authorities on how to proceed.
Every urban and rural dweller should know earthquake safety rules. If your home is located near a dam, move to a safe distance from it. When in mountainous terrain, take care to be as far away from hills as possible.
A person who moves in a wheelchair must block the wheels of the wheelchair, otherwise they will start spinning on their own, and such an uncontrollable situation will lead to unpleasant consequences.
Compliance with the above rules will ensure maximum safety during earthquakes.
What is banned?
Most people die because of wrong actions. They unknowingly put their lives in great danger. Remember what not to do during an earthquake:
- do not move around the building and do not try to run outside if you live on the top floor;
- never stand in doorways;
- don't panic and act without fuss.
These actions are sure to provoke adverse situations that will threaten your life. Now you know what to do during an earthquake and how best not to behave.
Basic actions after an earthquake
The protection of the population from earthquakes is not always successful, often the consequences of the disaster are terrible and require round-the-clock work of rescuers. Experts get people out of the rubble and provide emergency medical care. If you can hear people talking not far from you, but you can’t move, then be sure to give a sign, shout with all your might.
The rubble is cleared after the rescue of the population. Heavy equipment is being brought in, with the help of which fragments of destroyed structures are removed.
If the disaster did happen, what to do? Rescuers are advised to behave as follows:
- Try to stand on your feet and examine all parts of the body, you may be in pain shock.
- Look around, find out if there are people near you who cannot rise on their own. Help them get out from under the rubble.
- Reassure the children and keep them in sight, explain that the parents will be found soon. Babies need to be taken care of until child psychologists and other specialized help arrive.
- Check for a gas leak and leave the area if you smell the slightest smell (may cause an explosion).
- Don't panic and be prepared for aftershocks.
Only confident action will save your life. You should always know exactly what to do in an earthquake. Turn on the radio if possible. Listen carefully to what to do during an earthquake. State rescue services at the slightest danger get in touch with the population. This is the only way to prevent large-scale human losses.
The main thing is to behave correctly and be able to calm others. Panic makes things worse. Only well-thought-out actions save lives.
The most destructive earthquakes in history
- 1139 - the catastrophe in Ganja. The force of tremors was 11 points. More than 200 thousand people died.
- 1202 - a natural disaster in Syria and Egypt. About 1 million people died. The earthquake is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most destructive in history.
- 1556 - about 850 thousand people became victims of the earthquake in China.
- 1737 - As a result of the strongest aftershocks in India, about 300 thousand people died.
- 1883 - The eruption of the Krakatoa volcano caused one of the largest earthquakes in history. More than 40 thousand inhabitants of the islands of Java and Sumatra died.
- 1950 - The earthquake in India was so strong that the seismic instruments went off scale and could not establish the magnitude of the vibrations. After five dayscontinuous shocks, the eastern part of India turned into ruins. 6,000 people died because the shaking was not in a densely populated area.
- 1995 - 10 magnitude aftershocks claimed the lives of many thousands of Sakhalin residents. The city of Neftegorsk disappeared from the face of the Earth.
- 2010 - shaking in Haiti. 150 thousand people died.
- 2011 - a terrible earthquake in Japan caused a tsunami, a significant radiation leak and the death of about 30 thousand people.
