Disaster Preparedness for Earthquakes

Jamaica Ivery-Glover, MPHWalden University

PUBH 6165-4Instructor Dr. Robert Marino

Winter QTR, 2010

Earthquake Preparedness

• MCS Grades 9-12• Inform and Equip students• Prepare for• Protect against

Learning Outcomes

• Basic earthquake knowledge• What actions to take before an earthquake• What actions to take during an earthquake• What actions to take after an earthquake• Emotional, psychological aspects of dealing

with earthquakes

What is an earthquake?

• An earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another.

USGS. (2009) The Science of Earthquakes. Accessed January 19, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php

Parts of an EarthquakeFault line- the surface where the earth slips

Epicenter – the location on the surface of the earth where the earthquake starts

Hypocenter – the location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts

USGS. (2009) The Science of Earthquakes. Accessed January 19, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php

Types of Shocks

• Foreshocks -relatively smaller earthquakes that precede the largest earthquake in a series

• Aftershocks - earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence

• Mainshocks- the largest earthquake in a sequence, sometimes preceded by one or more foreshocks, and almost always followed by many aftershocks.

USGS. (2009) Earthquake Glossary: Aftershocks. Accessed Januray19, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=aftershocks USGS. (2009) Earthquake Glossary: Foreshocks. Accessed Januray19, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=foreshocksUSGS. (2009) Earthquake Glossary: Mainshocks. Accessed Januray19, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=mainshocks

Aftershock Flash AnimationUSGS. (2009) Foreshocks, Mainshocks and Aftershocks: Accessed January 19, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/animations/animation.php?flash_title=Aftershock+Flash+Animation&flash_file=aftershock&flash_width=400&flash_height=275 USGS. (2009) Earthquake Glossary: Aftershocks. Accessed Januray19, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=aftershocks

New Madrid Earthquake 1811-1812Landslide trench and ridge in the Chickasaw Bluffs east of Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, resulting from the New Madrid earthquake.

USGS. (2006)ID. Fuller, M.L. 353. USGS Photographic Library. Retrieved from http://libraryphoto.cr.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/show_picture.cgi?ID=ID.Fuller,M.L.353

New Madrid Seismic ZoneExtends from northeast Arkansas, through southeast Missouri, western Tennessee, western Kentucky through southern Illinois

UALR. Introduction to the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Accessed January 19, 2011. retrieved from http://www.eas.slu.edu/Earthquake_Center/SEISMICITY/NewMadridGeneral.html

Encyclopedia of Arkansas. (2010) New Madrid Seismic Zone. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/media-detail.aspx?mediaID=6440

Wenchuan (Sichuan) China Earthquake (2008)

• USGS Multimedia Gallery: (Video)--Wenchuan (Sichuan) China Earthquake filmed by Yingying Huang

Huang, Y. (2009) Wenchuan (Sichuan) China Earthquake. USGS . Accessed January 23, 2011 from http://gallery.usgs.gov/video s/272

What to do BEFORE an Earthquake

• Check for hazards in the homefasten shelves to wallsplace heavy objects on low shelvesbrace light fixtures that hang overheadrepair electrical wiring and deep ceiling or foundational cracks

FEMA. (2010). What to do Before an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

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What to do BEFORE an Earthquake

• Identify safe places inside and outsideunder sturdy heavy furniturein the open away from objects that can fall on youagainst an inside wallaway from glass or heavy furniture that could fall on you

FEMA. (2010). What to do Before an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

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What to do BEFORE an Earthquake

• Educate yourself, family and friendsContact the Red Cross or other

organizations concerning earthquake readiness

• Develop an emergency plandesignate a rally area in case of

separationdesignate an out of state family contact

FEMA. (2010). What to do Before an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

What to do BEFORE an Earthquake

• Make a disaster kitfirst aid kit and manualflashlights and batteriesbattery operated radio and batteriesfood and watercashmedications/prescriptions

FEMA. (2010). What to do Before an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

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What to do DURING an Earthquake

• Take Cover!• If possible, get to your safe place and hold on

until the shaking stops

FEMA. (2010). What to do During an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

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What to do AFTER an Earthquake

• Expect Aftershockscan occur hours, days, weeks, or even

months after an earthquake• Listen for emergency information• Stay away from damaged areas• Help the injured or trapped• Clean up spilled liquids to avoid fire• Inspect utilities

FEMA. (2010). What to do After an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

Emotional /Psychological Aspects

• Fear is a common response to traumatic events

Should only last for a short period of time

Some may need to talk with family, friends, or a spiritual advisorSome may need to seek professional

help

American Red Cross.(2010). Recovering Emotionally. Retrieved January 19, 2011 from http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d229a5f06620c6052b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=ffd3f20f5fcb5210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&cpsextcurrchannel=1

Emotional/Psychological Aspects

• PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorderan anxiety disorder that can develop

after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.

NIMH.(2011) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.(PTSD). Accessed January 23, 2011 fromhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

Reactions to look for

• Irritability• Lack of sleep• Lack of interest in things that used to be of

interest• Lack of responsiveness or numbness• Poor concentration• Suicidal thoughts

NIMH.(2006) Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do. National Institutes of Health. No. 07-3518. Accessed January 23, 2011 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-parents/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-what-parents-can-do.pdf

Resources for obtaining help

• Mental health facilities• Privately owned psychiatric practices• Primary care physicians• Community health clinics/facilities

Presentation overview

• Basic earthquake knowledge• What to do before, during and after an

earthquake has occurred• Emotional/ psychological aspects of dealing

with trauma from earthquakes

References• USGS. (2006)ID. Fuller, M.L. 353. USGS Photographic Library. Retrieved from

http://libraryphoto.cr.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/show_picture.cgi?ID=ID.Fuller,M.L.353• FEMA. (2010). What to do Before an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm• FEMA. (2010). What to do During an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm• FEMA. (2010). What to do After an Earthquake. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm• American Red Cross.(2010). Recovering Emotionally. Retrieved January 19, 2011 from

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d229a5f06620c6052b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=ffd3f20f5fcb5210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&cpsextcurrchannel=1

• UALR. Introduction to the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.eas.slu.edu/Earthquake Center/SEISMICITY/NewMadridGeneral.html

• Encyclopedia of Arkansas. (2010) New Madrid Seismic Zone. Accessed January 19, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/media-detail.aspx?mediaID-6440

• Huang, Y. (2009) Wenchuan (Sichuan) China Earthquake. USGS . Accessed January 23, 2011 from http://gallery.usgs.gov/videos/272

References• USGS. (2009) Earthquake Glossary: Aftershocks. Accessed Januray19, 2011 from

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=aftershocks• USGS. (2009) Earthquake Glossary: Foreshocks. Accessed Januray19, 2011 from

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=foreshocks• USGS. (2009) Earthquake Glossary: Mainshocks. Accessed Januray19, 2011 from

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=mainshocks• USGS. (2009) The Science of Earthquakes. Accessed January 19, 2011 from

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php• USGS. (2009) Foreshocks, Mainshocks and Aftershocks: Accessed January 19, 2011 from

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/animations/animation.php?flash_title=Aftershock+Flash+Animation&flash_file=aftershock&flash_width=400&flash_height=275

• NIMH.(2006) Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do. National Institutes of Health. No. 07-3518. Accessed January 23, 2011 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-parents/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-what-parents-can-do.pdf

• NIMH.(2011) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.(PTSD). Accessed January 23, 2011 fromhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

Additional resources

• www.Redcross.org – earthquake safety checklist

• www.Ceri.memphis.edu- center for earthquake research and information at the Univ. of Mem.

• www.Hud.gov - provides information on disaster preparedness and recovery programs