Earthquakes are one of the most damaging natural disasters that exist. Although scientists cannot predict exactly when an earthquake will occur, they can ascertain where one is likely to happen. Furthermore, engineers are working on designing buildings that will sustain the impact of earthquakes.
An earthquake is what occurs when two sections of the earth abruptly slip along each other. According to the Lisa Wald, “the surface where they slip is called the fault or fault plane.” The position underneath the earth’s surface where the earthquake begins is called the hypocentre, and the position immediately over it on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre (Wald).
Seismic waves are the waves of energy produced by the unexpected shattering of rock inside the earth or an explosion. They are the energy that moves within the earth and is logged on seismographs. There are numerous types of seismic waves, and they each travel in diverse ways. The two main kinds of waves are body waves and surface waves. Body waves can move through the earth's inner layers, whereas surface waves can only travel along the exterior of the earth. Earthquakes emit seismic energy as both body and surface waves (UPSeis).
Scientists tend to use the Richter scale to measure the force of an earthquake. It measures the biggest seismic wave detailed on a specific type of seismograph situated 100 kilometres from the earthquake’s epicentre (New Mexico Bureau). The 2012 Italy earthquake measured 5.8 on the Richter scale (American Power). The ground shaking of an earthquake can result in landslides and other soil subsidence. These are the key damage-causing occurrences that happen in an earthquake. Chief consequences that can come with an earthquake comprise property damage, fatalities, fire, and tsunamis.
There are numerous ways to minimise the risk of being hurt in an earthquake. According to the Niles EMA website, people should choose safe places in each room of their houses. An example of a safe place could be underneath a solid table, or alongside an interior wall away from windows or tall pieces of furniture that may fall. The shorter the distance to move to safety, the less likely you will be injured. Injury statistics show that people moving as little as 10 feet during an earthquake's shaking are most likely to be injured. Safe places must also be located in other buildings were people spend time (Niles).
The several earthquakes off the Japan coast are resulting in people asking if earthquake prediction is feasible. Scientists can predict where an earthquake is likely to occur, but they do not know exactly when it will happen, or how large it may be (Earth Sky).
For financial and practical reasons, anti-seismic buildings must be suitably earthquake resistant: even the most powerful earthquake should not result in the breakdown of the building, though a some damage would be tolerable. A small earthquake, on the other hand, should not result in any damage at all. Additionally, the design of an anti-seismic building must bear in mind its position and purpose: a hospital, for example, should continue to be functioning even after the largest earthquake (Science).
Although earthquakes continue to be unpredictable and forceful natural disasters, scientists and engineers are working together to minimise the damage they cause.
Works Cited
America Power. “5.8 Earthquake Hits Italy.” 2012. Web. 6 June 2012.
http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/58-earthquake-hits-italy.html
Earth Sky. “Is it Possible to Predict Earthquakes?” 2012. Web. 8 June 2012.
< http://earthsky.org/earth/is-it-possible-to-predict-earthquakes >
New Mexico Bureau. “How do Scientists Measure Earthquakes?” 2008. Web. 6 June 2012.
http://tremor.nmt.edu/faq/how.html
Niles EMA. “Earthquake Safety.” 2010. Web. 8 June 2012.
http://www.nilesema.com/earthquakesafety1.htm
Science in School. “Combining Earthquakes.” 2010. Web. 8 June 2012.
http://www.scienceinschool.org/2010/issue15/earthquakes
UpSeis. “What is Seismology?” 2007. Web. 6 June 2012.
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/waves.html
Wald, L. “The Science of Earthquakes.” USGS. 2009. Web. 6 June 2012.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php
