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What is earthquake?

In a simple meaning, an earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the results of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. An earthquake is simply a tremor experienced throughout the world, with varying impacts and causing no or mild or many loss of lives and/or property. Other meaning of earthquakes is the disturbance or movement of Earth’s tectonic plates. These tectonic plates, which are believed to be almost 100km thick, are pieces of the Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle.

How it occurs?

The movement of the plates or the earthquake results from a sudden release of energy in the earth’s crust creating seismic waves. This is of course the natural cause of earthquakes. The process of nature and sudden of explosion meteorite impacts. Mainly due to the sudden release of stress accumulated during the term of the rock far below the surface. This pressure may be caused by tectonic plate movement along the crack line, and glacial rebound. However, certain human activities like coal mining, oil drilling, construction of large water dams, etc. have also been found to induce seismic activity. The Earth's crust bends and folds. While an earthquake itself may result in a lot of destruction and loss, it may further trigger a tsunami, landslide or even a volcanic activity thereby amplifying the loss/destruction. The scale of loss/destruction will be directly proportional to the intensity of the earthquakes together with the habitation of the affected region. Thus, the higher the intensity of the earthquake and the population, more devastating would be the outcome.

The real measurement of earthquake

The intensity or the magnitude of earthquakes is commonly measured on the local magnitude scale, popularly known as the Richter scale, named after its developer Charles Richter of the California Institute of Technology. An earthquake of magnitude of up to 2.0 on the Richter scale is described as `micro’ while that of 10.0 or upwards falls under the category of `massive’. That’s mean the higher the number, the higher the havoc.

Largest recorded of magnitudes

Magnitude of 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale (which measures the size of earthquakes in terms of the energy released), Chile has the largest recorded earthquake in the year 1960. In most recent times, Japan recorded a large earthquake of magnitude 9.0 in 2011. The recorded world’s deadliest recorded earthquake occurred in 1556 in central China with a death toll of approx. 830,000 people.

Where it located?

New Zealand is an island nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean consisting of two large main islands (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous islands that are smaller, especially Stewart Island / Rakiura and the Chatham Islands Island. New Zealand is famous for its geographical isolation, situated about 2000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, the nearest neighborhood is New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

What is really happen in 2011?

The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a powerful natural event that severely damaged New Zealand's second-largest city, and killing 185 people. The magnitude 6.3 (ML) earth quake struck the Canterbury region in New Zealand's South Island at 12:51 pm on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 local time (23:51 21 February UTC). The earthquake was centered 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) west of the port town of Lyttelton, and 10 kilometers (6 mi) south-east of the centre of Christchurch, New Zealand's second-most populous city. It followed nearly six months after the magnitude 7.1 Canterbury earthquake of 4 September 2010, which caused significant damage to Christchurch and the central Canterbury region, but no direct fatalities.

What says of Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key regarding to the disaster in year 2011?

“We feel your pain”, he said. Many people lost their love ones; people who involved in this disaster are irreplaceable. All people in Christchurch that wake up that day feel lucky to stay alive. He said that your tragedy is our tragedy. It will be difficult journey, soon will become better and rise again. On behalf of government no one walk alone and he promise government will recover and rebuilding the Christchurch. He also declares national state as emergency. When the reporter asked the prime minister about the cost to rebuild the Christchurch, he estimates the early cost is about $6 billion. In addition, about 75 people confirmed deaths, 300 were missing, and 20 bodies were identified.

The Effects of Earthquakes

The earthquake caused widespread damage across Christchurch, especially in the central city and eastern suburbs, with damage exacerbated by buildings and infrastructure already being weakened by the 4 September 2010 earthquake and its aftershocks. Significant liquefaction affected the eastern suburbs, producing around 400,000 tones of silt. The shallow earthquake was reported to be felt across the South Island and the lower and central North Island. In total, 185 people were killed in the earthquake, making it the second-deadliest natural disaster recorded in New Zealand (after the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake), and fourth-deadliest disaster of any kind recorded in New Zealand, with nationals from more than 20 countries among the victims. Over half of the deaths occurred in the six-storey Canterbury Television (CTV) Building, which collapsed and caught fire in the quake. The government declared a state of national emergency, which stayed in force until 30 April 2011. The total cost to insurers of rebuilding has been estimated at NZ$15 billion, making it by far New Zealand's costliest natural disaster, and the third-costliest earthquake (nominally) worldwide. The earthquake was the most damaging in a year-long earthquake swarm affecting the Christchurch area. It was followed by a large aftershock on 13 June (which caused considerable additional damage) and a series of large shocks on 23 December 2011.

JAPAN

Where it located? Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are four largest islands in Japan. Japan's closest neighbors are Korea, Russia and China. The Sea of Japan separates the Asian continent from the Japanese archipelago.

Do you really know where Japan’s area?

Japan's area is comparable to that of Germany or California. Japan's northernmost islands are located on similar geographical latitude as Milan or Portland, while her southernmost islands are on similar latitude as the Bahamas. More than 50% of the country is mountainous and covered by forests.

Disaster in Japan in year 2011

An earthquake occurs in Tohoku offshore in the Pacific Ocean. Japan had been struck by earthquake on 2011 and it was the second huge magnitude 9.0 ever recorded. It triggered 40 meter high tsunami in Miyako, Iwate region and swap away the entire city. This is the most powerful earthquake known to have hit Japan. This tsunami caused a nuclear accident, especially the melting level 7 in three reactors at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant complex I, up to hundreds of thousands of nearby residents had to be moved. Japan's National Police Agency confirmed the death of 15,845, 6,011 wounded and 3,339 people were missing in 18 provinces, while more than 125,000 buildings were damaged. This disaster causes severe structural damage and widespread in Japan, including the destruction of roads and railways in many areas, and a dam collapse.

What says of Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan toward the disaster in year 2011?

March 11 2011, at 2.46 pm on Friday, very strong earthquake hit 8.4 magnitude scales in Japan. The Prime Minister of Japan offer deepest sympathy to people who suffered the disaster. He asked the people to continue to be caution and keep to reports on television and radio. In addition he asked people of Japan to act commonly. So far, no radiation material has been confirmed leak to the outside. He also said to secure the safety of the people of Japan and in order to minimize the damage the government will make every effort possible.

THE CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKES

In the central layer of earth on top of the mantle, there is movement of convection currents. In ordinary circumstances, convection currents are continually pushed the earth's surface. The convection currents have a very strong force to move the earth's crust that floats on the ocean of magma. The earth's crust can move in three ways, namely collisions, separation and discord crust. Releases of energy that occurs suddenly from the central of the earth the motion of the earth's crust will produce earthquakes.

The effects of Earthquakes

This tsunami caused a nuclear accident, especially the melting level 7 in three reactors at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant complex I, up to hundreds of thousands of nearby residents had to be evacuated in droves. Not only are there many electrical generators damaged or forced to shut down, but at least three nuclear reactors suffered explosions due to hydrogen gas that has accumulated in the external enclosure building damage due to cooling system. The population within 20 km (12 mi) from the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant and a 10 km (6.2 mi) from the Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant had to be evacuated. Japan's National Police Agency confirmed the death of 15.845, 6.011 are wounded and 3.339 people were missing in 18 provinces, while more than 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed. This double disaster had causing severe structural damage and widespread in Japan, including the destruction of roads and railways in many areas, and a dam collapse. Around 4.4 million households in the northeastern region of Japan were without electricity and 1.5 million without water supply.

The Impact of earthquake on the environment

IMPACT	EXPLANATION
1. Tsunami	By the earthquake that occurred on the basis of ability to create movement of the sea waves. Movement of the sea waves will be higher when they enter shallow areas. Continuous wave push in the back on the shallow waters will increase the area ahead. Wave height increases suddenly will cause sea water near the coastline will retreat to the sea for a few minutes before it hit the coast in the form of destroyers. For example, Tsunami wave has claimed thousands of lives and destroyed many villages along the Coast of Japan and New Zealand.
2. Mass movement	Earthquake has produced strong shaking of the earth’s crust cause soil instability, especially in the slope and thus results in mass movement such as landslides.
3. Rise / fall a sea level	Earthquake could cause a slip of the earth's crust. If the earthquake caused an increase in land near the coastal sea level will be dropped. But, otherwise if the earthquake caused the fall of the land above sea level will rise.
4. Destroy coastal forests	The resulting tsunami caused by the earthquake on the seabed will cause water to enter the forest - coastal forest. Effect, forest - forest shoreline contaminated with salt water. This situation can lead to the destruction of forests and plants.

Impact to human

Impact	Explanation
1. Destruction of property	Tremors from the earthquake will cause the destruction of infrastructure in terms of, are able to destroy buildings, vehicles, accommodation and all human possessions. Based on the video of 2011 weather review which was report by Al-Jazeera station news, we can watched how bad the disaster destructed the property in Japan and New Zealand.
2. Lost of life	Collapsed buildings and landslides triggered by earthquakes will lead to an increase risk for loss of life. Many people were killed in an earthquake. Besides, this earthquake killed instantly without regardless of age, place and time.
3. Trauma and phobias	Humans had suffering from trauma and phobias as a result of the earthquake. Earthquake also gives strong psychological impact as well as great. Most of them were afraid of the sea and tall buildings that may collapse again.

Impact on the transport system

Tremors from the earthquake resulted in damage to roads, railways and airports. Effects of the damage, the transport system in the area down. The daily activities like going to work, shopping and meeting people become destructed due to this damage. At the same time, domestic and international flight will be delay because of this disaster. Business activities which involved two or more country will be postponed and it will affect our economic growth. Highways and railways need to be close temporarily under refurbishment.

WAYS TO OVERCOME EARTHQUAKE.

The following are some of the important precaution to be observed to save our life during an earthquake. Even though we do not have fool proof system to fore warn earthquakes some of the changes in nature or in the behaviour of animals and birds may help to decide the situations.

What to do before an earthquake?

1) Have a battery powered radio, flash light, and first aid kids in your house.

2) Make sure everyone knows where they are kept.

3) Learn first aid; teach how to stop electric main and gas supply.

4) Don’t keep heavy objects in high shelves.

5) Fasten heavy appliances to the floor, and anchor heavy furniture to the walls.

6) Plan for your family for reuniting after an earthquake if anybody separated.

7) Urge your school teachers to discuss earthquake safety in the class rooms, and ask them to conduct drills.

8) Keep some dry fruits and drinking water.

9) Find out your office has an emergency plan, know your responsibility at your works during an emergency.

We have to stay alert during an earthquake

a) Stay calm if you are indoors; stay out if you are out of buildings. Many injuries occur as people enter or leave the buildings. If you are indoors, stand against the wall near the centre of the building, or get under a sturdy table keep some cushion on your head.

b) Stay away from windows and outside doors, if you are in a high rise building stand against a support column.

c) If you are in outdoor stay in the open place, keep away from overhead electric wires and bridges.

d) Meanwhile, if you are in car just stop it where there is known over bridge or overhead electric lines and stay inside the car until the shaking stops. Don’t use open flames, if you are in a moving vehicle stop away from over bridges and stay inside the vehicle still earthquake stops.

What we should do after an earthquake?

1) Check yourself and nearby people for injury after that provide first aid.

2) Check electric and gas connection.

3) Turn on your radio or television for emergency instructions, reduce the use of phone lines it may be required for conveying some important messages.

4) Stay out of damaged buildings.

5) Wear chapels and gloves to protect against shattered glass and debris.

CAUTION!

• If we have experience the disaster or watched it on television, for the next time we must stay away from beaches and water front areas where Tsunami could strike, even long after the shaking has stopped.

• In the case of earthquakes you have to enact and enforce strict building codes to minimize damage from an earthquake, there are also drills on how to act when an earthquake strikes.

• And in Tsunami all you can do is have an evacuation plan ready.

Let’s think!

Sometime overcoming is not an option. Think of rain for an example, we don't stop rain but we use umbrellas. We have adapted to rain. As for earthquakes the only thing we can do is adapt, by building earthquake proof structures, raising awareness for instance what to do in an earthquake situation.