What to do in case of an earthquake? Safety rules for earthquakes

Any natural disasters cause panic among the population. In order to avoid wrong actions, every person should know how to behave during such situations. One of the frequent natural phenomena is an earthquake. It is impossible to prevent it, but you can save your life. The main thing is not to succumb to public panic and keep sober mind. But to understand what to do with an earthquake, you need to know what this cataclysm represents.

More about the phenomenon

Earthquakes occur due to fluctuations and tremors of the Earth's surface, they are caused by tectonic processes or can be provoked during a violent explosion. In fact, such phenomena occur quite often on our planet, but not all lead to catastrophic consequences. Many occur under the thickness of the oceans, and we simply do not feel them. In any case, everyone should know what to do in case of an earthquake. On the correctness of the actions directly depends on whether you save your life or not.

Some earthquakes under water cause strong tsunamis, which collapse with a powerful force and take millions of people's lives. Mankind can never manage geophysical planetary processes. That is why there are services that track the foci of the future catastrophe and take appropriate measures to save the population.

Classification of earthquakes in relation to points

There is a specialized earthquake scale that measures magnitude and intensity. The latter is calculated by scores, which are established from the deformation of the earth's crust and the degree of destruction of surface buildings and structures. Consider a more detailed twelve-point scale of Merkalli:

• 1 - Such tremors are completely not noticed by people, only high-precision devices react to insignificant fluctuations in the earth's crust.
• 2 - Oscillations are felt by residents of high-rise buildings. The rest will not pay attention to such a phenomenon.
• 3 - Noticeable vibration occurs on the last floors of a high-rise building. The chandeliers can shake, the water in the glass is trembling. The car, standing in the parking lot, due to noticeable fluctuations will turn on the alarm.
• 4 - It can be described as an earthquake of moderate strength. All who are in the room, will certainly feel the motion of the earth plates. Doors and windows begin to loosen up, and the glasses emit a characteristic rattling. This is especially noticeable in the middle of the night, many wake up.
• 5 - Such an earthquake does not go unnoticed, everyone feels the vibrations of the earth's surface. In many apartments, cracks appear on the windows, objects fall from the shelves.
• 6 - Oscillations cause public panic. Everyone starts to run out into the streets, and furniture pieces move independently through the apartment. Heavy objects fall from the shelves. Even the trees emit a characteristic rustle of leaves, there is a crackling of the trunks.
• 7 - Quite a strong earthquake that knocks down a person. Many buildings are covered with cracks, the unstable ground collapses. The water in the lakes and rivers sharply becomes turbid from the silt raised from the bottom. Furniture breaks, beats dishes.
• 8 - An earthquake that destroys buildings. The branches on the trees break, the ground is cracking underfoot.

• 9 - Catastrophic situation, during which buildings are destroyed and many people die. The dams are being destroyed, water pipes are bursting under pressure.
• 10 - The Earth does not just oscillate, it moves, and entire cities collapse. As a rule, a couple of hours before the catastrophe panic, animals begin to panic, which foresee an imminent death. In the soil, huge cracks form, water splashes out of rivers and lakes. The rails are deformable.
• 11 - Almost all buildings are destroyed, only single buildings manage to resist. Railroad tracks are deformed for kilometers.
• 12 - A real catastrophe that destroys all life. Even riverbeds of rivers change, and fountains start to beat from the ground on level ground. Absolutely new lakes are formed, the landscape is transformed beyond recognition.

The higher the scale of earthquakes, the harder it is to correct the consequences. During the big catastrophes, entire cities die, people remain homeless. Their houses turn into ruins, and from under the debris rescuers for a long time get the bodies of the dead.

How is the magnitude determined?

The magnitude of the earthquakes is established on the basis of the obtained data on an accurate measuring instrument-a seismograph. Its more common name is the Richter scale. It was developed in 1935, and since then it has been widely used by specialists around the world. It is the amount of energy that is released in the disaster that is counted in this scale.

Below are the main figures that determine the magnitude of any earthquake:

• 2.0 - very weak tremors, which not all inhabitants can see;
• 4,5 - moderate fluctuations of the earth, causing movement of objects and insignificant destruction;
• 6.0 - tremors of such force that buildings are destroyed (during these people it is difficult for people to stand on their feet);
• 8.5 - catastrophic consequences (entire cities are turned into a heap of rubbish).

Scientists believe that the planet can not occur cataclysms with a higher magnitude than 9.0.

It is better to prevent than to correct later

Proper protection of the population from earthquakes significantly reduces the overall percentage of victims. If a possible focal point of a future catastrophe is established, then evacuation of people is mandatory. But in any case, everyone should take care of their own safety. We must be ready all the time for such an event and know exactly what to do in case of an earthquake.

To begin with, take the preparatory measures that will help cope with the panic and unforeseen natural cataclysm. If you live in a seismically hazardous area, the house must necessarily have a standard set of items that are designed to survive in a dangerous situation. Be sure to collect all documents and keep them in a prominent place.

The most important rules

Let's consider the basic measures of preparation for a catastrophe, and also what to do with an earthquake:

• In your home should always be in a prominent place to be a first aid kit with all the necessary medicines. Be sure to put the lighter and radio on the batteries.
• Get a small fire extinguisher, check its serviceability.
• Situations can be different, so it is better to know the basic rules of first aid. In an emergency, you should be able to help yourself and others yourself, take the necessary medications and apply tires to the fracture sites.
• At the slightest thrust, immediately shut off the cranes that deliver gas, water and electricity to your dwelling.
• Heavy furniture is better securely attached to the floor, so as not to be crushed by your favorite chiffonier.
• Always keep in mind the plan of action and evacuation, think about where it is better to hide with all members of the family.
• Do not keep heavy and beating items on the shelves.
• Have a supply of water (at least a small jar to yourself).

Actions and safety rules for an earthquake

Each person, first of all, independently ensures its own safety during an earthquake. If you feel jerks, then do not try to move in a panic state. If you are indoors, it is better to immediately choose a safe corner and lie down on the floor. Do not forget to protect your head with your hands against possible splinters and falling objects. Do not stand up until you are sure that the shocks have completely stopped.

According to statistics, many people die from the impact of falling objects. These are cabinets, televisions, heavy figurines, etc. You can escape from a collapsing building, the main thing is to choose the right tactics. In any case, stay calm and do not run along the street or around the room.

Observe all the rules of the earthquake, which are developed by rescuers, and then you will save your own life. Be sure to lie on the floor and move only crawling. Standing on your feet, you will probably get much more serious damage.

If you live in a dilapidated brick building, then at the slightest jerks grab the documents and run to the street. Try not to stand near the skyscrapers and trees, find an open safe area.

Non-standard situations and how to survive in them

Observe all earthquake safety measures. If you are in crowded public transport, it is better to leave it and take a horizontal position.

Even being in the elevator suggests that a person will lie on the floor. Thus, you can protect yourself. As soon as everything stops, go out on the first floor and run to the street. If the doors are blocked, and you feel that the building has undergone significant destruction, wait for the help of the rescuers.

While in the stadium or in the theater, stay where you are and close your head with your hands. In such a situation, the risk of dying from a crush is high, so do not give way to panic and try to calm others.

If you are driving, stop the car in a safe place. Nearby there should not be buildings, lampposts and bridges. After that, do not go out into the street, stay in the car. It would be best to turn on the radio and listen to the authorities' recommendations for further action.

Every urban and rural resident must know the rules of safety during an earthquake. If your house is located near the dam, move to a safe distance from it. When in a mountainous area, take care to be as far from the hills as possible.

A person who moves in a wheelchair must lock wheelchairs, otherwise they will start spinning independently, and such an uncontrolled situation will lead to unpleasant consequences.

Compliance with the above rules will ensure maximum safety in earthquakes.

What is prohibited?

Most people die because of wrong actions. They unknowingly put their lives in great danger. Remember that you can not do with an earthquake:

• Do not move around the building and do not try to run out into the street if you live on the top floor;
• Do not stand in the doorways;
• Do not give in to panic and act without fuss.

These actions necessarily provoke adverse situations that will threaten your life. Now you know what to do with an earthquake and how not to behave better.

The main actions after the earthquake

Not always the protection of the population from earthquakes is successful, often the consequences of the disaster are terrible and require round-the-clock operation of rescuers. Specialists get people out from under the rubble and provide emergency medical care. If you hear people talking near to you, but you can not move, then sign and shout with all your might.

The debris is cleared after the rescue of the population. A heavy technique is fitted , with the help of which fragments of destroyed buildings are removed.

If a catastrophe did happen, what should we do? Rescuers are advised to behave as follows:

• Try to stand on your feet and inspect all parts of the body, perhaps you have a pain shock.
• Look around, find out if there are people near you who can not rise on their own. Help them get out of the rubble.
• Calm the children and keep them in sight, explain that the parents will soon be found. It is necessary to do the kids until the children's psychologists and other specialized help come.
• Check if there is a gas leak, and if the smell is the slightest, leave the room (an explosion may occur).
• Do not panic and be ready for a second push.

Only confident actions will save your life. You should always know clearly what to do when an earthquake occurs. If possible, turn on the radio. Listen carefully to what to do during the earthquake. At the slightest risk, the state rescue services come into contact with the population. This is the only way to prevent large-scale human losses.

The main thing - to behave properly and to be able to calm others. Panic aggravates the situation. Only competently thought out actions save people's lives.

The most devastating earthquakes in history

• 1139 - the disaster in Ganja. The force of the shocks was noted at 11 points. More than 200 thousand people died.
• 1202 is a natural catastrophe in Syria and Egypt. About 1 million people died. The earthquake is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most destructive in history.
• 1556 - about 850 thousand people became victims of the earthquake in China .
• 1737 - as a result of the strongest tremors in India, about 300 thousand people died.
• 1883 - the eruption of the volcano Krakatau entailed one of the largest earthquakes in history. More than 40 thousand inhabitants of the islands of Java and Sumatra were killed.
• 1950 - the earthquake in India was so strong that the seismic instruments went off scale and could not establish the magnitude of the oscillations. After five days of continuous shocks, the eastern part of India turned into ruins. Killed 6 thousand people, because it was not shaking in a densely populated area.
• 1995 - a thrust of 10 points claimed the lives of many thousands of Sakhalin residents. The city of Neftegorsk disappeared from the face of the Earth.
• 2010 - was shaking in Haiti. Killed 150 thousand people.
• 2011 - a terrible earthquake in Japan caused a tsunami, a significant leakage of radiation and the death of about 30 thousand people.