Earthquakes are caused by the movement of plates (huge slabs of rock) making up the surface of the Earth. In volcanic islands, earthquakes may also be caused by the movement of magma beneath a volcano.
Earthquake effects
Some of the earthquake effects that can be harmful to people are:
- Collapsing walls, buildings and bridges
- Falling furniture, shattering glass windows and mirrors
- Falling electricity lines
- Broken gas lines
- Floods caused by the collapse of dam walls
- Rock slides or landslides
- Tsunamis - these are sea waves which can be generated by very large earthquakes
- Liquefaction - when shaking causes solid ground to behave like a liquid and can no longer support buildings. This is common on reclaimed land.
Before an earthquake
- Build your home in accordance with the recommended building codes.
- Bolt heavy furniture, water tanks, water heaters, gas cylinders and storage units to walls or floor
- Place largest and heaviest items on lower shelves
- Emergency items and equipment such as canned foods, water, medication, flashlights, battery-operated radios, fire extinguishers and a First Aid kit should be readily available and working properly.
- All family members should know how to use this emergency equipment and should know how to turn off electricity, gas and water using safety valves and main switches
- All family members should know what to do during an earthquake and should practice these safety tips through regular drills
During an earthquake
- STAY CALM. DO NOT PANIC. BE ALERT
- If inside, stay inside, do not run out of the building
- If inside, stand in a strong doorway or get under a sturdy desk, table or bed and hold on
- Do not use elevators or stairs
- Move away from windows, mirrors, glass doors, pictures, bookcases, hanging plants and heavy objects
- If outside and there are no obvious signs of danger nearby, stay there
- If outside, stay away from glass buildings, electricity poles, and bridges
- If in a vehicle, do not stop on or under a bridge
- Always look out for falling plaster, bricks, lighting fixtures and other objects
After an earthquake
Do
- Check for broken gas lines and fires
- Check utilities and switch them off, if necessary
- Check your house for serious damage and evacuate if the house seems likely to collapse
- Be prepared for more earthquakes (aftershocks)
- Stay away from landslide-prone areas
- Turn on transistor radio for emergency news
- If possible, check the television or the website of the Seismic Research Unit at www.uwiseismic.com for updates on the earthquake
Do not
- Do not light a match or turn on a light switch; Use a flashlight instead
- Do not touch fallen power lines
- Do not go sightseeing. Leave the streets clear for emergency and rescue vehicles
- Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in danger of further injury
Earthquake Risk in Trinidad and Tobago
Earthquake occurrence is a natural phenomena like the weather. When an earthquake occurs, waves move through the earth‘s crust like the waves that are formed in a pond when the water is disturbed. The earth‘s crust is made up of a small number of rigid slabs, called plates, which are always trying to move. They are constantly pushing against each other.
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