An earthquake is the shaking of the ground caused by an abrupt shift of rock along a fracture in the Earth,called a fault.Within seconds,an earthquake releases stress that has slowly accumulated within the rock,sometimes over hundreds of years.The size of an earthquake is indicated by a number called its magnitude.
Earthquakes have the power to uproot trees and send them crashing into buildings.They can trigger landslides and avalanches,and cause flooding and tsunamis.Human structures are also at risk.It is interesting to note that tall buildings will sustain the least damage if they are located directly at the epicenter.This is because they can withstand the up-and-down motion of P-waves.S-waves,on the other hand,occur far away from the epicenter,and cause the greatest stress by shaking buildings from side to side.These buildings are often knocked off their foundations.
Scientists are continuously thinking of ways to try and reduce earthquake power.Some are trying to lessen the friction between colliding plates.They poured water down a fault where two plates were grinding together.The water “lubricated” the fault,letting one piece jerk free with a number of little earthquakes and preventing a large tremor.Architects are also designing earthquake-proof buildings,constructing on rock instead of gravel,or on soft sand or clay.Researchers are always trying to reduce the impact of earthquakes.They continue to study and experiment with ways to tame the Earth.However,we all still have much more to learn before we can control the power of one of nature’s most amazing phenomena.Here are some guidelines to staying safe in earthquakes.
Things that you will need:Portable Radios,First Aid Kits,Fire Extinguishers and Flashlights;
Step 1
Stay inside and duck and cover.Get underneath a desk or table,or stand in a corner or under a doorway.Cover your head and neck with your arms.
Step 2
Move against an interior wall if in a high-rise building with no protective desk or table nearby.Cover your head and neck with your arms.
Step 3
Try to get into an open area away from trees,buildings,walls,signs and power lines if outdoors.
Step 4
Pull over to the side of the road away from overpasses and power lines if driving.Stay in your car until the shaking ends.
Step 5
Get away from shelves or other areas where objects may fall if in a crowded store or public area.Do not run for the door.Crouch and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
Step 6
Stay in your seat if in a stadium or a theater.Get below the level of the back of the seat and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Tips and Warnings:
· If you take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture,hold on to it and be prepared to move with it.
· Try to stay away from kitchens and garages,where there are often many objects that might fall.When the earthquake occurred,it is essential to have a clear-headed,calm composed attitude.If the earthquake when you are indoors,such as further away from the windows and doors,temporarily escape in a solid corner or under furniture,is relatively safe.In addition,can also be transferred to the load-bearing walls more,a smaller hall in the kitchen,bathroom,etc.take shelter.Escaped after the main shock,should be quickly evacuated to a spacious outdoor.When the need to protect the withdrawal of the head,preferably with pillows,quilts and other soft goods Huzhu head.
If the earthquake when you are outdoors open spaces,this is the most fortunate thing.If the building-intensive areas,the best hands or purses,and other soft goods Huzhu head,as far as possible,do a good job in self-defense preparations.And quickly left the transformers,poles and walls,a narrow roadway,and so on
