An earthquake is a natural phenomenon caused by vibrations in the earth’s crust. These vibrations are caused when elastic rocks strain and abruptly ruptures and then bounce back. These vibrations can either be noticeable or catastrophic causing the loss of lives or property. Earthquakes are part of the earth’s evolution and cannot be stopped since they are natural. They are among the most destructive and unpredictable natural disasters that have left millions injured, dead and others homeless. Earthquake prediction has become technologically impossible and above scientists knowledge. The Chile earthquake which registered 9.5 is the largest ever recorded earthquake in the world that left millions dead and homeless.
Earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates. When the tectonic plates move in different directions, it causes distortion and strains built up causing the rocks to break resulting to an earthquake. Earthquakes are measured on a scale. In 1935, Charles Richter developed a scale called the richter scale which is used to measure back and forth force of an earthquake using a seismograph (Herbert, 1907).
The massive effects of earthquakes can only be solved by preparedness. The real solution is by forecasting the occurrence of an earthquake and this will help people from areas vulnerable to earthquakes get prepared for it. An earthquake causes damages to property and buildings (Sibson, 2002). It leads to destruction of structures, dams and bridges. Earthquakes also triggers landslides, an example is the 1959 Hebgan Montana earthquake which caused a landslide that killed many people and also blocked the Madison river which caused floods that destroyed a lot of property. Earthquakes taking place under the ocean may cause tidal waves and Tsunamis. An example is the 1896 Sarinku Japan earthquake which washed away people’s properties and left a number dead. In addition, another earthquake’s worst effect is the loss of human life. Many lives have been lost through this natural disaster and many have been left injured.
Earthquakes are natural disasters that can be faced anywhere in the world thus cannot be stopped. There is nothing that can be done to stop an earthquake since it is a natural occurrence but its effects can be reduced. The main strategy for earthquake risk reduction is development, adoption and implementation of seismic building codes and standards. Since earthquakes shake buildings, structures built in these areas should be strong and stable to withstand the high levels of shaking. Building earthquake resistance should be encouraged and building weak houses and on slopes should also be discouraged. . In the Haiti earthquake, many people lost their lives close to 250,000 due to poor construction, earthquakes do not kill people, buildings do kill them because they fall on them.
Emergency preparation plans should be put underway in all earthquake prone areas. Individuals should be educated on how to prepare their homes and families from the damages caused by earthquakes. Loss of property is a financial loss that can be avoided during earthquakes. An alternative solution is the evacuation of people from earthquake prone areas should be done because they reduce the loss of life and injuries. Individuals should vacate locations vulnerable to earthquakes prior to notification of an earthquake prediction. They can vacate with their belongings. In addition, through earthquake preparedness, individuals learn how to deal with earthquakes and this reduces the number of fatalities and injuries (Wyss, 1979).
The earthquake survival kit should be a must have item for all people living in places that vulnerable to earthquakes. In addition during earthquakes, people indoors should shield themselves from falling objects and immediately vacate the building to open places after the earthquake to avoid the effects of the after math of the earthquake. They should also stay away from damaged buildings and coastal areas incase a tsunami might occur. Home owner education should be a priority in these areas.
Earthquake prediction is still underway although some methods have been developed to predict the time and place an earthquake will occur (Gregory, 1989). There is no way possible that can be used to predict the magnitude of an earthquake. The probability that an earthquake might occur in the next future is estimated although scientific predictions on the specific date or month is unpredictable. An earthquake is a natural disaster and so natural disasters cannot be predicted. Earthquakes are unpredictable. Scientists have tried to find ways and means to predict earthquakes but none has been successful because it is beyond their scientific competence (Talebian and Jackson 2004). If an accurate and successful prediction can be made on earthquakes, it can save and reduce the loss of lives and the economic damages caused by earthquakes.
In essence, earthquakes cannot be stopped but its effects can be lessened. Many studies should be done on how to effectively reduce the massive effects of earthquakes and on how to accurately predict the occurrence of an earthquake. The best way for protection against destructions caused by earthquakes is by preparedness of both the individual and the society they live in. If they are both prepared, there will be less effects and the loss of life and damage of can be reduced. By building earthquake resistant building, people will not be hurt by building falling on them and this helps in reducing the loss of life too
References
Gregory, V. (1989). Predicting Earthquakes. New York: F. Watts.
Herbert, H. W. (1907). Earthquakes: An introduction to seisimic geology. New York: D. Appleton and Company.
Sibson, R. H. (2002). Geology of the crustal earthquake source: International handbook of earthquake and engineering seismology. New York: Kissinger Press.
Susan, H. (2010). Predicting the Unpredictable: The Tumultuous Science of Earthquake Prediction. New Jersey: Princeton University Press,
Talebian, M. and Jackson, J. (2004). A reappraisal of earthquake focal mechanisms and active shortening in the Zagros mountains of Iran. Geophysical Journal International 156 (3): 506–52.
Wyss, M. (1979). Estimating expectable maximum magnitude of earthquakes from fault dimensions. Geology 7 (7): 336–340.
