How Do You Find 2012 Polar Shift Map?

By Chris Z. Mallory

It's hard to know what will happen if the Earth undergoes a polar shifting. This is why a 2012 Polar Shift Map has been created, but there is multiple ideas of how it could take place. This is why many have been created, with none really being correct or wrong. It's going to be hard to know what will happen until the polar reversal actually or even takes place.
If the Earth goes through an abrupt polar shift, it would create complete chaos and devastation. This is why a 2012 Polar Shift Map has been designed and in so many varieties. People will need to have an idea of where to go if the type of devastation occurs.
If you want to look for a 2012 Polar Shift Map, you should search online. One place is called ZetaTalk, which is a website of Nancy Lieder's vision and version of what she thinks the Earth will be like. She claims to know the Zetas on Earth, who are technologically advanced aliens. They knew how the Earth would be shifted and how the world will end.
Another place to look for a map is on TopoZone, which provides a variety of kinds of maps. It will include multiple versions of the 2012 polar shift. GreatDreams also provides a subcategory on its website of different maps, including how the earth could change because of earthquakes or shifts. There are other websites as well, ones that also include 2012 Doomsday possibilities.
It's interesting to look at the different possibilities of how the map could shift. For one, Antarctica could end up by the equator, and India could be in the South Pole. Places that were once hot could end up in a cold region and vice versa. Low-lying places could suddenly be submerged by water, and places that were submerged could turn into land.
The Earth has undergone polar shifting before, as there's evidence to pack up this claim. However, experts say this happens gradually and usually between 1,000 and 5,000 years. Obviously, this doesn't happen in anyone's lifetime.
The issue is if the Earth goes through an abrupt magnetic polar reversal, which would happen if a heavenly body collided with the Earth. The gravitational pull of the planet would cause a shifting. NASA says this isn't possible, but others believe Planet X could cause such a disturbance. They believe it will take place on December 21, 2012.
The only possible idea a person can get to understand this time period is through a 2012 polar shift map. For one, you could see which place would be safe to stay. One the map there are areas where a person could travel. It is suggested you wouldn't want to be in a place or country that is near polar regions, as this is where the north and south poles will move. Also, if you read 2012 Contact, it will give you different ideas of how to survive the possible calamity. It could save your life

GFRC and Seismic Design - Key Benefits of Using Architectural Concrete in Earthquake-Prone Regions

By Collin Davis

In areas of the world that receive earthquakes, architectural design and construction is not just a matter of aesthetics. Professionals must also plan and build structures that are resistant to the highly destructive forces of earthquakes. Seismic design is important not just because it helps preserve buildings, but also because it plays a role in protecting the people, animals, and valuables that may be inside them as well as pedestrians below.
There are three main reasons why architectural concrete is particularly well suited for seismic design applications. First, Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete is lighter than many other commonly used construction materials, including brick, stone, cast stone, terra cotta, and traditional precast concrete. Lighter weight means a reduced seismic load on the structure and simplified connection details.
Second, GFRC is reinforced throughout. Because the glass fiber is integral to the product, there are no unnreinforced areas in a GFRC panel or GFRC element. Since the reinforcing is continuous, there are no fragile, unreinforced sections in GFRC.
Lastly, fiber reinforced concrete is capable of flexing without breaking, making it ideally suited for use in seismic zones. Unlike rigid masonry or precast concrete, Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete can withstand a considerable amount of bending forces and shaking and still remain intact.
There are a few important considerations with respect to using fiber reinforced concrete in seismic areas. First, the anchoring system which attaches the GFRC panel or element to the structure must be suitable. Second, the jointing must be designed to allow for the maximum wracking of the structure without placing excessive stress on GFRC elements.
On a final note, anyone who is uncertain about the potential of earthquake activity in a given area can consult any one of the major building codes. They contain maps of seismic zones, and also rate various regions according to the potential severity of earthquakes. Any designs for Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete panels or elements should comply with all local building codes to minimize the risk of earthquake damage.

U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program

Cell Phone Earthquake Warnings Available

By Lance Winslow

Did you know that Earthquakes give out interesting warning signals about 30 seconds prior? Well it appears so and no that is not much to save the population from chaos, but it maybe enough time to help people seek shelter in a place where nothing will fall on them or at least allow them to get out of a very dangerous situation. The average person who is in good shape can run about 150 to 200 yards if their lives depended on it.
Well now at least one cell phone company is offering Cell Phone Earthquake Warning features and their network will dial up all their users with this extra feature just ahead of the Earthquake. After the Earthquake it will call them and tell them where the Earthquake was and how big and any estimates for Tsunamis or Aftershocks. This company is in Japan, where they have lots of Earthquakes and it is sure to be a big service seller.
The company admits that for smaller Earthquakes the precursory Earth Waves maybe such that will prevent easy detection, but for the big Earthquakes when it really matters most the system will most likely work extremely well.
The JMA or Japan Meteorological Agency is working with the cellphone companies to alert them of high activity in the P-waves or primary waves, which come before the S-waves, the ones which cause the most damage and hurt the most people.
So far NTT, DoCoMo, KDDI, and Softbank Mobile have signed up to help with the program and will offer this to customers. What about in the United States in places like San Francisco, which is prone to huge devastating Earthquakes that kill tens of thousands of people? Well maybe Google's new SMS on Steroids might interface with local mobile cell phone companies too. The future awaits.

Recent Earthquakes in California and Nevada - Index Map

Home Security and Natural Disasters - Earthquake Safety Tips

By Levi Mortenson

With an apparent increase in seismic activity lately, more and more people are talking about what to do if an earthquake should hit where they live. While some parts of the United States are more likely to be confronted with blizzards or hurricanes, it is important for countless other Americans to be ready. And unlike other disasters, where preparedness means one thing, surviving an earthquake and being prepared is a whole other scenario.
First and foremost, it is important to determine whether or not you live in a part of the country where earthquakes have been known to cause trouble. Obviously, citizens residing in California are far more likely to experience a quake than, say, those in Georgia, but this doesn't mean it isn't important to be prepared. While earthquake safety isn't a huge part of home security for Floridians, maps show that earthquakes have hit at one time or another in practically every state. There's no telling where the next one may be, so being alert is the best bet.
For those who have more of a reason to prepare, the first thing to do is consider how your house is arranged. If you have heavy bookshelves with lots of books across the room from your bed, for example, consider moving it to another part of the house. It is important to keep large, unwieldy objects away from the space where you sleep. Since earthquakes can strike at any time of the day, being in a prone position--like sleeping in a bed--is a recipe for disaster if there is furniture that can cause you harm. For the sake of your safety and home security, try to make sure larger pieces of furniture are not within falling distance of your bed.
There are a number of other ways you can prepare for an earthquake. Secure other heavy appliances to the floor, and try to keep particularly heavy objects and breakable objects at ground level and away from places you might be sitting. For example, don't hang the heaviest photograph you own over a couch where people might be sitting, but rather, choose a part of the hallway where, if an earthquake strikes, it is not liable to hit someone and cause physical trouble.
Another huge part of home security and earthquake safety is having your home well-stocked in case you end up having to stay there for an extended period of time without knowing ahead of time. Try to keep a couple day's supply of water and nonperishable food around, along with a flashlight and some batteries. It is also important to try and keep batteries and a battery-powered radio so that you can be up to date on any news that might be broadcast after things like phone lines and television lines are down. Staying informed is one of the secrets to surviving any sort of natural disaster.
During the actual earthquake, there are a number of safety tips to remember. Always stay indoors, or get indoors immediately. Try to move to the strongest, safest place in your house. Generally, this is far away from heavy objects, chimneys, and windows. Brace yourself and try to avoid any objects or debris. If you are outside, try to move away from any power lines and get away from buildings and trees that might fall down. After all, home safety is not just about your home during a natural disaster, but also the surrounding area of your yard and neighborhood.

Major Earthquakes of the World - World Map, Map of the World

Finding the Pattern of Counterbalancing Quakes Will Help in Earthquake Prediction

By Norma Hickox

There have been several mysterious jolts recently in not only our country, but around the world. This is a different kind of earth movement, one that cannot be detected by instruments now in use. The earth herself hit a "pocket" of vacuum left from the original explosion. As she is shifting into uncharted seas of eternity, this will happen more often. Instruments above the earth are the only ones that can measure these "bumps." These jolts are not as dangerous as earthquakes themselves. It is just a momentary absence of normal gravity pull that causes a slight bump, but they will serve as warnings of movement within the earth itself. The next time a "mystery jolt" is felt, it should be noted that within twenty-four hours the earth will also move from the inside. They are related.
Picture it as a bowl of water that is traveling along a conveyor belt. Suddenly the belt floats free, for a moment, of the drag that is on it. This causes a sloshing of the water inside the bowl. This is what happens inside the earth. The molten lava in the center of the earth sloshes up against the sides and causes all sorts of problems. The volcanoes and earthquakes are all part of the realignment of the earth in virgin space. Once she is settled into her new area all will return to normal. This will take a period of approximately twenty to thirty years of our time. She will be mostly into the new space in about ten years but the settling into the new orbit will take longer.
Those that are doing earthquake prediction still are not looking over the fracturing pattern of the whole surface of the earth. They need to keep in mind that what occurs in one area will always be counterbalanced in another area. A map of all quake activity world wide needs to be kept and monitored at all times and studied with locations and dates compared to find the pattern of counterbalancing. It is not as simple as it may sound to find what quake counterbalanced which other quake. There are many factors involved that need taken into account.
One of these is the temperature of the shell at the point of the quake, followed by a line to the center and then to a counterbalancing temperature. How this could be arrived at would require temperature monitors at strategic points around the world with a map being done of similar temperature of the outer shell at a level of three miles below the surface. I realize this would take a lot of work and time and money, but would enable us to accurately predict earthquakes in the future.
It is not just a matter of one earthquake having, then, a counterbalancing one. It is more like a jigsaw puzzle because the counterbalancing one will then have a counterbalancing one, and so on. Time is also a factor that will be able to be predicted, not just location, by the temperature monitoring. Hotter temperatures will cause a slower reaction as far as a counterbalancing action.
The variation of temperature between quakes needs studied very thoroughly and degrees of differences marked on all the locations of past quakes. This, then, would show the pattern of timing based on temperature differences. This is a ways into the future, but is the only way for exact predictions to be made. Many lives could be saved this way and much devastation could be avoided because care could be taken to not allow certain areas to be populated.
This same map would then allow volcanic action to be monitored. There is a close link, hence the taking of the temperature of the shell as given. This releasing of volcanic action will lessen the pressure that causes the quakes. At times it is difficult to tell which pressure release will take place until just shortly before it happens.
It is a matter of timing, you see. If the temperature of the shell is cooler in a certain area than the previous quake or volcano, then the next release will be faster to come than if the last one was at a hot spot in the shell. When it is at a hot spot in the shell, the fluidity of the shell allows for expansion and movement, but when in a colder area, the hardening of the shell matter does not allow for this expansion and contraction process, and the release must come rather quickly. There are other monitoring indications as far as the oceans go, but they are more complex and not as easily reachable as what has been given.

California Real Time Earthquakes Update

Using a Data Logger System to Monitor Earthquake Activity

By Diana Valentine

Earthquake monitoring has come a long way since the squiggly lines on paper that we all imagine when we hear of them occurring. Almost everything now is computerized. An electronic seismometer is a state-of-the art data logger system. They can accurately record both small local earthquakes and large distant ones. These recording devices are commonly used in scientific experiments or monitoring situations, where there is the need to collect information where accuracy is crucial. Examples of the types of information a data logger system can collect include temperatures, sound frequencies, vibrations, times, electrical currents, pressure and changes in states of matter.
Technology is at the point where scientists now have the ability to record the areas of ground-motion of large magnitude earthquakes, providing maps that are crucial to finding the areas that have suffered the largest damage and losses. Information recorded by a data logger system can include: seismic waveforms, electromagnetic data, GPS data, and earthquake parametric data. Extensive earthquake data has been cataloged and archived by researchers utilizing a data logger system. This information is useful in potentially predicting seismic activity along the many tectonic plates (fault lines) across the globe.
Obviously, we haven't reached the ability to predict earthquakes as of yet. The ability to do so would save millions of lives and infrastructure. Scientists are working hard to give people early warning of an earthquake with the help of a data logger system. Sophisticated sensors measuring ground motion are continually being developed for the purpose of an early warning system. Small earthquakes occur on a continual basis and are always recorded by researchers armed with this state-of-the-art technology. It's the larger, potentially destructive earthquakes that define the purpose of an early warning system.

GeoNet – Recent New Zealand Earthquakes

Where Can I Find Direction When Traveling?

By Mike Selvon

Nothing beats that intuitive sense that says, "I know exactly where I'm going." Unfortunately, we are simply not programmable, as robots are. We cannot just download directions into our brains to be stored forever, so we rely on maps. Over the years, mapping has become so much more than just street maps and road atlas functions. Today we use online maps to advise us on local businesses, news, weather, traffic and more.
Google Maps has become the template of choice for a number of local food maps. At Menurequest, you can plot restaurants on a map of your city, as well as read/write reviews, make reservations and get driving directions. In Philadelphia, Communitywalk is an amazing resource for local event organizers who want to ask a number of nearby restaurants to participate.
At Toeat, you will find a number of dining options in your neighborhood. In major cities like NY, Paris, Bangkok and Chicago, you will find baked goods at Yummybaguette. Or you may need to get your burrito fix at Burritophile. Drinkers can appreciate Wineandtimes, which helps plan a winery tour, as well as Drinktown, which lets you know all the local booze specials.
Google Maps is not the only "mashup maker" on the block, of course. A number of non-Google applications have popped up to serve a wide variety of functions. For instance, if you live on a fault line, then visit Lerdorf, as you may appreciate the "Real-Time Earthquake Map." If you are looking for nearby bloggers, movie showtimes, gas prices or driving directions, then you can see "Atlas" (based on MSN's Virtual Earth platform) at Atlas Freshlogicstudios.
One of the most popular mapping sites is Flickr, where amateur photographers can share their pictures and create maps of their favorite places, people and things. Readers have given rave reviews for Gutenkarte, where lit lovers can read full books (such as Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days") chapter by chapter, while viewing a map of the locations discussed in the book. If you prefer news to fiction, don't miss the world and local news at Mappedup or Poly9 Viavirtualearth (where MSNBC news is plotted out on a map!)
You can find directions on your computer, on your GPS device or even on your cell phone. The trend is that programmers are finding ways of bringing online maps to you, no matter where you are. For instance, if you find yourself lost somewhere with little time to recoup, never fear: Loki can track your location via satellite and send you a map to your next location on your mobile phone. A number of phones, from the iPhone to the Android G1, are making MapQuest, Google Maps and Yahoo Maps technology available to you when you are on-the-go.

Japan Earthquake MAP: Epicenter, Most Impacted Areas From Massive ...

Haiti Earthquake - Epic Disaster, Epic Opportunity

By Grant Gerver

Why is it that the worst humanitarian disasters always seem to hit the poorest people in the world? I'm sure there's an answer for this, but I don't have it. Maybe it's more that natural disasters do not discriminate between the rich and the poor, they can and do strike everywhere. Maybe it's the effect they have on rich versus poor countries. The aftermath is far more ravaging when there is less infrastructure, extreme poverty, and no building codes.
How much can a poor country like Haiti take? And, what are the survivors supposed to do? The unimaginable loss of life and total devastation is beyond words. Zombies walk what's left of their streets looking for loved ones, hoping against hope that they'll find who they're looking for. And, if they are able to get lucky enough to find lost relatives and friends, then what? Will they starve to death, or drink scarce and tainted water full of toxins that will kill them? The last estimates that came across the news wires said as many as 100,000 or more will lose their lives.
This disaster ranks in severity with the worst natural calamities in recent history including the 2004 Christmas tsunami, and the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China. It is sure to be one of the worst natural disasters in living memory.
The first 72-hours are the most critical. Victims buried alive in the rubble have precious little time to be found alive if they are to survive. The United States military will have to play a vital role in rescue efforts as evidenced by its participation in the Christmas tsunami and also again in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. But, as the war and cash-strapped nation that the U.S. is today, will we be able to make the difference that is called for? The Wall Street Journal said very succinctly, "America's power coincides with the reach of its goodness."
It's a shame that many of our financial resources are so horribly compromised by the current economic collapse, and at a time when America is also straight-jacketed by two ongoing wars. It could be a poignant reminder of what our priorities should be if only we could gain the perspective necessary to do the right things.
But, while we will be in the lead in this Haitian crisis as we so often are in many others, our strength and standing as the world's greatest super power are in doubt. Quite possibly, this Haitian earthquake can give us pause to reflect upon and reevaluate the most important things in life: the empowerment and betterment of humanity, beginning with the poorest of the poor. Using money to build rather than to destroy, giving rather than taking, improving instead of damaging, and aiming for goodwill rather than bad, can serve as the beginning of the day that men, women and children across the glove begin to move closer to one another, not farther way. A hope, a dream, and extreme wishful thinking.
The Wall Street Journal concludes: "In the long term, the best defense against future natural disasters is to promote the political and economic conditions that can move people out of the slums and shanties that easily become death traps. For now, however, we wish godspeed to the armies of relief headed for Haiti's desperate shore."

IRIS Seismic Monitor

The China Earthquake & Counselling Services

By Stephen Myler

Abstract:
This paper is in response to the work being carried out in China by counsellors in the field. China on May 12th suffered its worse earthquake for 30 years measuring 8 on the Richter scale, causing at this time over 70,000 deaths and millions of people homeless and injured. The Chinese government's response was mostly organized by the Party centrally from Beijing in servicing the immediate needs in the aftermath such as, temporary housing, warmth, food, water and rescue services. The central government sent some academic psychologists to the area who were ill equipped to understand the conditions there and certainly not trained in Critical Incidence Response. Most of the counsellors were volunteers many with less than one years training and most with no experience of Grief Counselling or Disaster Counselling techniques. The real time for counselling however will be in 6 to 12 months time when Post Traumatic Stress Disorder amongst survivors, rescuers and professionals will start to appear. The purpose of this paper is to help brief those counsellors who have no training or support before being sent to the disaster area.
Introduction:
All over China many counsellors want to go and show their patriotic duty and help the victims and survivors of the earthquake in Sichuan Province in the South of China. However most of these counsellors are ill-trained and ill-equipped to understand the nature of the disaster or their role in treating those caught up in the disaster area. In response to this in Shanghai I have been briefing groups of counsellors in Grief Counselling adapted to this special situation. In addition to this I am teaching immediate first-aid counselling for professionals. Little or no supervision is available to them in the area and so the only solution to this is peer group support by having regular meetings to relieve personal stress and anxiety. In the following passages I will talk about what we are telling the counsellors before they go to the area - often we only have two hours or less to prepare them.
Grief Counselling as adapted to the Earthquake:
* Grief is the physical, emotional, somatic, cognitive and spiritual response to actual or threatened loss of a person, thing or place to which we are emotionally attached. We grieve because we are biologically willed to attach. (John Bowlby, Father of Attachment Theory)
This quote from Bowlby, sums up the effect of grief in a general setting, however in a disaster where death is everywhere some special thoughts have to be added to the experience of survivors. We can in turn look at the stages of grief and see how they might apply to earthquake victims.
Stage 1: Numbness
At the moment the earthquake happened peoples initial stress reaction is to process the personal threat to one-self. Once survival is achieved the scale of death and destruction is apparent. Most people will at first just feel nothing, they cannot comprehend what is happening. Their immediate concern in the aftermath is their close relatives, many who did not survive. For children especially those born under the one baby policy - the death of classmates is as effective to their cognition as any other close relative as these relationships often replaced the normal sibling feelings that are absent in much of Chinese society. Most are standing around dazed and bewildered at this time not really processing any rational thoughts. There were so many after-shocks in the region that some remained in this state for some time vaguely wondering if after surviving the main quake they would be killed in the next one. Despite the numbness of feelings they never-the-less become highly sensitive to noise and sudden movement causing panic attacks to happen at the slightest changes.
Stage 2: Shock
Once they move out of numbness their cognitive abilities return and they start to realize the enormity of the event that has occurred. They go through the motions of action but with little purposeful use. Disbelief is the most common reaction in which they are questioning the reality of the situation and want to blank out the sights of death and destruction which is all around them. The may ask rescue workers what has happened even though it seems obvious - but they need a verbal conformation of the event. Physically they will be shaking, have labored breathing and an inability to work out even the simplest tasks asked of them such as their name and where they come from.
Stage 3: Anger
As they move out of the shocked state they start to become angry, counsellors are often unprepared for this as they find it hard to understand why someone they are trying to assist should shout and blame them for their situation or loss. The survivors need someone to blame, they often talk about God abandoning them, governments not warning them of the danger in time, rescue workers for not saving their loved ones, and the counsellors for trying to understand something the survivor believes is impossible for them to have empathy with, when they were not there and lost no-one.
Stage 4: Anxiety
Here the fear of personal survival may make the survivors overly-sensitive to noise, sudden movement and fear of their own death may still be imminent. Each after-shock brings fresh panic attacks and a fear response of personal survival. This sense of sensitivity can be seen even in areas unaffected by the earthquake as far away as Shanghai. For example a shop window shattered in down-town Shanghai a week after the event and all the people close to the incident went into a state of panic. In normal circumstances most people would have only been mildly curious to see the broken window fall into the street.
Stage 5: Loneliness
Once the initial sense of personal survival has passed then the realization that many are alone without their loved ones hits them very hard. Knowing your wife, husband or child has been killed and you survived brings a yearning for their return. Survivors are at a loss to know what to do next. How will they rebuild their lives, family and home when they are alone now and feelings of abandonment by their loved ones who died oppresses their thinking. Counsellors have to be very comforting to those at this stage and listen carefully to their grief, but to be careful not to let the victim become dependent on the counsellor as a substitute for those lost. Counsellors will at some point leave and may inadvertently make the sense of loss and abandonment even worse.
Stage 6: Fatigue
With only temporary shelter, basic food and water most survivors will be feeling emotionally drained and physically beaten. The search for the dead, the realization of permanent loss will all bring the person to feelings of utter despair in which the slightest exertion will defeat their reserves of energy. They will feel and act listless and unable to concentrate, they will have a lack of appetite or eat in a robotic style, and they will also suffer insomnia, troubled, disturbed sleep and nightmares. Their heightened sensitivity means they are constantly scanning the environment for danger and searching for the lost loved ones, even though they know they are now dead.
Stage 7: Yearning
At this time the survivors just want everything back to the way it was prior to the disaster. They find themselves wishing this had not happened and why can it not go back to the way it was. They will convince themselves that dead relatives or friends had somehow survived and will walk around the corner and tell them it was all a big mistake and they are alive after-all. This may happen despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary that their nearest are in fact dead.
Stage 8: Relief (Acceptance)
This stage will take sometime to achieve even in the strongest mentally of survivors. To feel some relief that it is all over and they have survived where others did not. Guilt may have to be worked through here as they feel that why did they survive when the young, the successful, the good person did not. They may question their own value and self-worth. This is the time for long-term mental healing as the victim accepts the situation and that the reality of the here and now exist and you have to move forward and live again. At this stage ritual is very important - to grieve again at anniversaries, birthdays, holiday times where the grief returns for a moment and recedes again after the event. The central government may have to initially dig mass graves to handle the dead, however in modern times they will be numbered and DNA tagged so that in time as relatives can give DNA samples they can identify the remains of their own dead and so rebury them in the traditional way and so as to start the acceptance stage of the grief processes. These rituals are of great importance to survivors to move on. National days of mourning, events in recognition and other rituals all help the nation to heal and move forward. As this is the year of the Olympics the opening ceremony should be radically changed to honor the dead from the earthquake and treat the events as a sense of respect for the dead and a sign of renewal.
The Children:
Many of the survivors are children who are now homeless, orphans and have witnessed death and destruction for the first time in their lives. Psychologically they too experience the same stages of grief as any adult but unlike grown ups they cannot verbalize or express their shock and feelings directly. Counsellors here should try to engage the children in meaningful activities to help them express themselves through art, drawing and play. To listen carefully but not interpret directly to the child their adult comprehension of the event. Under no circumstance should you lie to them. If their parents are dead, tell them directly. Children in some cases can be far more resilient than the adult survivors who can cognitively assess their feelings and sense of loss. Children need to express this in more simple ways in a caring atmosphere with warmth and attentiveness but not with attachment from the counsellor. Counsellors must be aware at all times they will leave the child at some point and return to their own normal lives. The best situation for children is not therapy but routine. Routine involves regular sleep and rising times, meals at the same time everyday. They should sleep in small groups of no more than four if possible. They in this way will bond with the other children and not the adults around them. Children can be self-supportive in small groups and can assist each other in coping with the aftermath. In addition to this routine is a return to schooling - even if this is make-shift in tents - the sense of the familiar will help them to feel some normality. Activities such as art expression and paper tearing games can help children of all ages to express their stages of grief to the counsellors and teachers present. Many people around China are offering to adopt children whose parents have been killed but this should be approached with caution as many of these would-be parents are ill equipped to deal with traumatized children who later may develop Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder. (I will deal with this is a separate paper).
The Professionals:
This group consists of those who have found that for the first time they are dealing with mass destruction and death. The soldiers in China have never seen combat, have no experience of real action in service or death. They are an army at peace and most of their time is taken up with civil duties and training. Now in the aftermath of the earthquake they are in the front line service in rescuing the victims buried in the remains of apartments, shops, schools and road landslides. Many for the first time are seeing crushed dead people and with horrific injuries in survivors. The initial reaction of the soldiers is fortitude, they are there to do a job, it is their duty to help and assist the professional rescue services and health professionals. In addition to the soldiers there are armed police, doctors, nurses, teachers, firemen, infrastructure workers such as electricians, gas workers, and other emergency personnel. Just like the soldiers they are busy doing their duty and carrying out the tasks assigned to them as efficiently as possible. However there is a price to pay for the diligence and holding in their feelings during the immediate crisis. In 6 months to 12 months time the fall-out from these helpers will become apparent. Many will suffer flashbacks in which in the daytime they suddenly imagine themselves back in the disaster area and re-living the horrors that at the time they coped with so well. Now however they are starting to fall-apart and find they are suffering from lack of sleep, appetite and concentration. They are now the victims of the earthquake in quite another manner - PTSD. After 9/11 in the United States many of the original emergency workers suffered stress reactions months and months, after their initial involvement in the disaster, in that day of terrorism. However the United States has well organized Employee Assistance Programmes in place to assist in the aftermath of critical incidences such as 9/11. This support actually forestalled many of the cases of PTSD in the USA. However here in China the EAP service is in its infancy and most government departments have no such support or plans to budget for them. This means in a few months time their will be no real support other than the under-staffed mental hospitals to cope with the many cases of PTSD that will certainly occur. Mental health problems are seen as shameful in China and many families hide the victims of mental breakdown and rarely seek help for them in case the neighbors discover their shameful secret. One indirect bonus of the earthquake may in fact be an increase in awareness of psychological services that can be accessed by ordinary people, although the costs in China still prevent most people from seeking help.
The Counsellors:
As I said in the beginning most counsellors in China are poorly trained and have little or no real long term experience of this type of event. In fairness although Western training is longer and more arduous many in the USA were also not prepared for the fall-out of 9/11. However British counsellors were more likely to have direct experience as terrorist bombings and constant overseas military action presents many clients with a variety of critical incidence events. In China the counsellors particularly need briefing before they go to understand the stages of grief, how they apply to this disaster and how to act with survivors. This can only be achieved if government supports the training both in monetary terms and the political will to support such activities. Sending unprepared counsellors may in fact cause more long term harm than good. Also counsellors need to understand the process of critical incidence response procedures in debriefing and defusing techniques to help indirect people affected by the quake. While much of this expertise is available from foreign experts very few University professors in China would have this knowledge and understanding except second-hand from Western texts. In China most professors in psychology and counselling are theorists with little or no practical experience in the field. So while they may give TV interviews and parrot book passages they are of little practical use to counsellors who need real hands on advice and supervision. Counsellors in the earthquake area should have daily peer support as supervision by experienced professionals is unlikely to be available. So they should group together each day and discuss worries and cases they have dealt with - seeking advice and support from each other. This is the best they can achieve here and in addition they must eat regularly, sleep when they can and take some light exercise every night after they have finished counselling for the day. A counsellor is of no use if they try to act the hero and work long hours with little rest. Fatigue sets in very quickly for some counsellors particularly emotionally. They should then withdraw for a time or leave all together as they may then be causing harm through a lack of concentration. Some counsellors are mentally ill-equipped to deal with this scale of loss and should withdraw quickly and realize there is no shame in not doing the work if you are not mentally strong enough.
In Summery:
I hope this paper will help those in China who are embarking on counselling but have no support or training and to give then some in-sight into the possible problems and difficulties they may encounter along the way. Many counsellors feel it is their patriotic duty to volunteer their services and feel a sense of duty to their countrymen who at this moment need them. However not every counsellor is strong enough or competent in this tough area of counselling and should think very carefully about going to the earthquake area and perhaps breaking down under pressure or simply by lack of understanding make matters worse for the survivors than no counselling at all. For most counsellors the work is still to come, as the grief process proceeds for survivors and professionals alike then they will be seeking counsellors to support and treat them in the future as PTSD takes hold of those who could not grieve or survive mentally the after-math of China's huge earthquake which led to such a huge loss of life and property.

Christchurch Quake Map

Major Earthquakes - Should We Be Concerned by the Unusual Recent Large Earthquake Activity?

By Paul Wyllie

Some Unusual Activity
The end of September and first couple of weeks of October 2009 were really quite unusual as far as earthquake data goes. This period has been a rollercoaster with as many as 24 major earthquakes in one day and represents a heightened period of world major earthquakes. On either side of this peak at the end of September, there were some other fairly large daily totals too, so this activity is not just an individual daily anomaly, but a more sustained period of crustal unrest.
Putting it in Perspective
To put this all in perspective, normally there is an average of between 3 and 5 major earthquakes each day with occasional deviations away from this range sometimes up to about 10 or 11. However, 22 and 24 daily major earthquakes is very unusual and represents a move away from the norm which may or may not be significant. We wait and see if this trend continues.
Earthquake Trends
Common earthquake reporting seems to concentrate on showing maps containing earthquake locations and sizes, but often ignores trends that can give us some additional useful information on how the Earth is holding up. Trends can show a longer term view and will allow us to see individual groups of events in a different context which will either emphasize the group or reduce its relevance when viewed overall. The current trend of larger numbers of major earthquakes since the end of September does not fit into a normal pattern and so we should take more notice of this group of events and gather further information. For example, it could signify a change in Earth crustal movement which would need more research by scientists or it could be an anomalous 'glitch' in the longer term earthquake trend.
The Human Aspect
Looking at earthquakes in this way does not, of course, take into account the human aspect of the damage to buildings and local infrastructure that major earthquakes incur. On the ground, there are personal dramas and usually political opportunities that need to be addressed and we should always have this subjective aspect in the back of our minds when looking at earthquake data in an objective way.
Out of Sight....?
Often major events happen in far-off islands that have low numbers of population and are far from governmental support but these people could be our relatives and friends and just because they are few in number does not mean that we should not be concerned about the human suffering these major earthquake events cause. Where a major incident effects a modern city causing widespread damage to tower blocks and high numbers of population, it is easy for media to report and increases pressure on governments to act to limit damage and provide aid. Consequently more people hear about it and more public awareness is generated.
An Indication of Health
Sometimes I feel like a geeky sun-spot watcher, being concerned by the numbers of daily earthquakes, but I feel that it is an indication of the health of our planet. If anyone else is concerned about the rape and pillage by mankind of Earths resources, then they might be advised to keep an eye on the reaction of our Big Momma Earth to our mindless, un-caring, and profit-seeking technological advances.
What does it Mean?
I am not an expert in these matters, but in my non-expert opinion, I don't think there is anything particular to worry about in these figures - except to keep an eye on how things are going. The Earth is obviously more stressed than normal at the moment indicated by this unusually high number of major earthquakes. In case anyone is wondering about the scientist-predicted mega-earthquake, this period of unusual activity brings our minds back to this armageddon-ish warning and I too, hope we are not leading to the Big One in the near future. All we can do is to be spiritually and materially prepared and live our daily lives in a way that minimises our impact on the environment.

California-Nevada Fault Maps

Earthquake Emergency - What To Do In Such A Situation?

By Abhishek Agarwal

In 1906, the residents of San Francisco, California, had an abrupt change of lifestyle. They learned that almost anything can happen without warning. An earthquake killed about 3,000 people and caused over $400 million in property damages. In 1920, the Gansu earthquake in China took about 200,000 lives. Then in 1948, the region around Ashgabat in the Soviet Union suffered a powerful quake that claimed over two-thirds of that city's population (110,000 people died).
About Earthquakes
The most powerful earthquake ever recorded happened in 1960 in Chile. Registering 9.5 on the Moment magnitude scale, it created a tsunami that swept the entire Pacific Ocean. In 1972, 90% of the city of Managua, Nicaragua, was destroyed by a midnight earthquake that killed over 10,000 people. Then in 1985, the Great Mexican Earthquake struck, killing as many as 30,000 people, most of whom were never found. In 1989, San Francisco and surrounding areas experienced the "World Series Quake."
In 2003, the Bam Citadel, the largest adobe structure in the world and built before 500 B.C. was almost completely destroyed, together with 70% of the city of Bam and 70,000 residents.
Most of them happen along what is known as the circum-Pacific seismic belt or the "Pacific Ring of Fire" bounding the Pacific tectonic plate. With high-population cities like Mexico City, Tehran, and Tokyo growing in areas of high risk, it is possible that a future earthquake could take as many as 3 million lives.
It's hard to understand why people insist on living in earthquake-prone areas like San Francisco and the mountains of central and South America. But in fact, earthquakes are a common phenomenon, small ones happening somewhere in the world every day. Characterized by shaking and ruptures in the land, earthquakes also cause dangerous avalanches and landslides, fires like the terrible 1906 San Francisco experience, soil liquefaction where buildings literally sink into the earth, and massive tsunamis. Because the damage they do is enduring, they also leave high risks for disease in their wake as people try to find potable water to drink and dry, safe places to sleep and live.
People who live in high-probability earthquake zones must live each day as it comes, knowing that their fragile lives could be over in an instant. Knowing that tragedy can strike at any time, they prepare for it.
Technology specialist Jason lives near the Marina, the most high-risk area in his city. He accepts graciously the fact that living there is a risk, but he always stores basic supplies for that inevitable crisis. He keeps several gallons of fresh water, portable food packs, extra flashlights and batteries, and several thing-a-magics that would overwhelm the technologically-challenged.
Earthquake Safety Tips
* Duck. Stay off heavy objects that may fall. Find an open area or stand in a doorway.
* If you can't get out of the building, seek protection under a heavy table.
* If you're driving when the earthquake strikes, stay inside your car.
* If you're in a mall or store, move away from shelving and other movable objects.
* In theaters and stadiums, duck under your seat and wait until the mob has largely left the area. Don't get caught up in the panic-filled crowds.
Another Word of Advice
Being well-prepared, having a plan of action, is the best way to prepare to survive an earthquake. Lacking this comfortable knowledge, you are more likely to panic and make deadly mistakes.
Know where strong, stable structures are that may provide shelter. Avoid areas of poor construction or materials. Stay calm. Stay alert. Things change very quickly, and you should be ready to respond.

Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days

Your Family's Earthquake Preparedness

By Joe Paradise

Your Family's Earthquake Preparedness
Everyone thinks they are ready for earthquake damage, but are they really?
There are a number of areas to be considered during disaster planning. If you truly want to guarantee you have taken all necessary steps for complete earthquake preparedness, then put your plan to a test. The following emergency essential check list will help you identify potential flaws in your earthquake preparedness plan.
Disaster Kits
Does your family have a sufficient disaster kit, and does it contain enough drinking water and food for everyone who will need it? Make sure these items are cycled out every few months, especially the drinking water. All earthquake kits must include rations as well as first aid items. Periodically check over the counter medications for an expiration date and change them out as necessary.
A Separation Plan
There is no way for you to know exactly when disaster may strike. Your family may be spread out over a larger area. Earthquake preparedness should include a meeting location. This should be an area every member of the family is familiar with, and knows how to get to. Also discuss where local shelters can be found.
Potential Contacts
Have a list of potential contacts included in your earthquake preparedness plan. This is especially important if you have older children who stay home alone from time to time. Also let the contact individuals know who they are. This should be a neighbor, friend or relative who you trust. Children should be advised to turn to these responsible adults in your absence. Make a point to explain the best earthquake safety measures so children know when and how to find the contact person after the quake had ended.

Myanmar Earthquake 2011: Two 7.0 Quakes Hits Burma | NowPublic ...

Can All Metal Buildings Withstand An Earthquake?

By Amy Nutt

In certain areas of the world, it is crucial to build structures to withstand the massive shock and damage associated with earthquakes. Unfortunately, science has not yet developed an early warning system that can give immediate notice when an earthquake is imminent. Thus, we are completely at nature's mercy to survive an earthquake, and buildings must be built to withstand an earthquake at any time. Much research and study has been devoted to learning which types of structures fare best in an earthquake. Generally speaking the consensus is that metal buildings fare better than concrete. However, one might ask: does this mean that all metal buildings can withstand an earthquake?
The answer is no. Just because a building is metal does not mean it will automatically do well in an earthquake. Metal structures are more likely to survive earthquakes because they are more ductile -they can bend and flex without breaking. This characteristic is crucial in a serious earthquake.
The most common type of metal used to build earthquake-safe buildings is steel rebar. It has the ductility that is critical to absorbing earthquake and is very strong, making it the best and most effective option for building in an earthquake zone.
Steel rebar has proven to be an excellent construction material that can withstand earthquakes, but it is not fool-proof in and of itself. It must be applied with the correct engineering and architectural principles to maximize its effectiveness. If you are considering using steel rebar to build an earthquake-resistant structure, be absolutely sure your plans and methods are correct, or hire a builder who is familiar with such structures.
Other types of metal buildings are far less resistant to earthquakes, and can be quite unsafe in earthquake-prone areas. Many metal modular homes are not constructed to withstand the tremendous shock of an earthquake. These types of buildings would be very unsafe in an earthquake zone. Also, sheet metal buildings are very fragile and highly likely to collapse during an earthquake.
Experts do not recommend either of these types of structures to be placed in an earthquake zone. Some zoning laws forbid them altogether.
Another very important factor that influences whether a building will survive an earthquake is the distribution of weight. A building that is top-heavy is more likely to fall than a one that is lightweight at the top. An earthquake-safe construction not only should be constructed with steel rebar. It should be framed with lighter materials in the upper floors and have a heavily reinforced lower section.
The most important lesson to learn from this discussion is that a metal building does not necessarily mean it is earthquake proof. To be fully earthquake proof, an infrastructure needs to be built with the correct materials (like steel rebar) and be built according to the correct standards.
If you are building a commercial facility, you owe it to yourself, your customers, and anyone who uses the building to use the best materials and techniques available to you. You want to get the most out of your investment, so give it the attention it merits.
Earthquake - Magnitude 6.7 - MYANMAR - 2011 March 24, 13:55 UTC

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Earthquake in Japan 2011 - What We Should Really Know About This!

By Dean Wallis

The recent earthquake in Japan was heart wrenching but what is the real meaning of it all? How does this fit with everything that is happening in the world right now and the 2012 theory? There seems to be such a mixture of opinions but many people don't know some of the scientific facts behind it all.
I think we only have to watch the news recently to realize there really is something going on with the planet. Last weeks shocking earthquake in Japan and subsequent devastating Tsunami just highlighted the fact. Before that we had the earthquake in New Zealand, then there was Chilli, Indonesia, there has been volcano activity, landslides, floods, strange weather patterns and even disease in Haiti. Not to mention the political and civil unrest all over the world and the unstable financial global economy.
So what does it all mean...are we really headed for the end of the world like some say?
The thing is that what we see is people really don't want to believe they are anything more than natural disasters that happen all the time through history. While that is true have we ever seen such frequency?..I don't think so! So there seems to be a kind of collective denial going on. We get no real answers from our Government's and it really does seem like they don't want to tell us anything or they don't really know.
Yet what is happening is very real and the pictures we are seeing on our TV sets and computers these days look like something from a movie, and they are happening with alarming frequency.
Now I don't like to be a scaremonger by any means, I have too much in my life for that but a few years ago I began to research this whole 2012 theory and what I found was quite alarming. I think what most people perceive is that the 2012 issue is some kind of religious apocalyptic idea dreamed up by doomsday crazies. Well what I found is it is not that at all, it is in fact quite scientific and when you look into it you begin to realize we, the human race are but a blip in the great cycle of the universe of which this planet is also a small blip. It just so happens we think everything revolves around us which of course it doesn't.
This is part of a great cycle of planetary and universal change
Back to the point and that is that this whole 2012 theory is according to some very eminent and leading scientists as well as philosophers part of a great cycle of planetary change. It is not the first time it has happened either and in his book "Fractal time" Gregg Braden lays out how the Mayan civilizations some 5000 odd years ago experienced exactly what we are beginning to experience and left a record of it warning us. Believe it or not, well up to you but there is some pretty hefty evidence to support all this.
But once again it is not really discussed too much, at least not amongst the general public. We had the movie 2012 which just kind of makes a mockery of the whole thing really and did a great job at playing down the reality of the situation and making the whole business fantastical. But.....that doesn't mean it has gone away, and what we are seeing now is just the beginning apparently and you tell me but do some of the scenes we are watching now on Television look like a movie or what? So actually I made my own little movie about it in fact and you can watch it here... Earthquake in Japan 2011 what it means
It just could be the end of things the way we know them!
You see the 2012 thing is not a one day event like some will have you believe. There is a date which represents more of a climax in the cycle but the changes begin before that date and continue after it too and what we are witnessing is exactly that....the beginning of the cycle of world change, which is why it is not the end of the world but more of a change of the world. It just could be the end of things the way we know them as parts of our planet begin to get changed by nature.
So what can we do? Because when you watch that Earthquake in Japan and the Tsunami after it there is no way you can out run that thing!

Myanmar Earthquake 2011: 6.8 Magnitude Temblor Hits Near Thailand

How to Reduce the Future Aftereffects of a Deadly Earthquake

By Mark W. Medley

The last two years has seen an increase in more deadly earthquakes, which have struck Chile, China, Haiti, Indonesia, and Pakistan, often with deadly effects. Living in a new era of deadlier quakes, and increased seismic activity, how can we reduce the deadlier aftereffects of an Earthquake?
Some Countries are in the quake zone, notably Chile, Haiti and Indonesia. A Zone which lays far beneath our oceans and land masses, which spread across all our continents. In Indonesia, quakes are a regular occurrence, often on a daily basis, whilst in other regions rarer.
Recent Earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, have created some startling but very real discussion on how we can reduce the deadlier aftereffects of a quake. As the death toll, and damage in both countries are remarkably different. Haiti, has a history of Earthquakes, and the recent quake which devastated Port au Prince, the nations capital, created huge damage, and death tolls. This to many experts was a natural disaster, which turned into a man-made disaster.
There is a link between poverty, lack of urban planning, and the extent the disaster can hurt a country. In Japan, a nation known for Earthquakes and Tsunamis, damage and deaths from a quake, are minimal zed by planning around the possibility of a future earthquake.
The disaster in Haiti, was caused by the fact the country was too poor, to implement the same planning as Japan. Neither could lives be saved, because local emergency services were overwhelmed by the extent of the earthquake. It turned into a man-made disaster.
Chile has coped better, because of epicenter of the quake was away from the center of a city, and the country had a much more developed infrastructure, with more modern emergency services. The quake was more spread out, but the death toll less. Nations which are part of the quake zone, however poor or wealthy, need to accept that one day a quake will occur. This is natural, and part of the way our planet has evolved.
One way we could help these nations which live in the reality that there is always a chance a deadly quake could strike, is to assist in helping these nations create a system, which minimizes the man-made effects after an earthquake has struck.
Buildings could be either strengthened or relocated in areas where a risk of an earthquake is lessened- in poorer countries, cheaper, but effective building designs could be created, which could at least withstand the worse effects of an earthquake.
We do have the technology, and the expertise to create more effective, and low cost solutions to protecting areas, which are susceptible to earthquakes. But this takes cooperation, and a sharing of ideas, rather then sending short-term aid and assistance.
Through International cooperation, nations in the deadly quake zone, could build a basic emergency procedure network. Which today, has helped to create the Tsunami warning system, after the deadly 2004 Tsunami in Asia, and trained local response teams to deal with the after effects of a tsunami.
Chile, China, Indonesia, and Japan could spearhead this International cooperation, as they themselves are countries which have recently experienced earthquakes. Using the technology, and localized experience of dealing with the human cost of a quake, may create groundbreaking solutions to reducing the disastrous after effects of any future quake.

Earthquake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Economic Effect of Japan's Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster

By Mark W. Medley

On Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm, a 9.2 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan. This lead to a chain reaction of events leading to a tsunami, and a nuclear disaster as one of Japan's power stations leaked radiation. What are the global effects of these three disasters?
1. Higher Energy Prices
Energy prices are soaring because of the fear that the current unrest in the Middle East is affecting the global supply of oil. The disaster in the Fukusima power station highlights the need for Japan to now import traditional energy sources to replace any energy produced through its nuclear facilities- which will add to more demand for natural gas, and oil.
2. Infrastructural Renewal Projects
Both the earthquake and the tsunami have badly damaged much of Japan's infrastructure. Obviously a rebuilding phase would mean a government with a high debt problem, would have to invest in the reconstruction of those areas affected by this triple disaster. This could become the responsibility of the corporate sector, who dominate Japan's economy.
3. Banking and Insurance Losses
Whether Insurance companies pay out billions of dollars of claims due to the the earthquake and tsunami, remains to be seen, but the "man-made" nuclear disaster could become their liability. Japan's global banking and insurance industries may be forced to reinvest at home, depleting any global investments outside the nation.
4. Change of Government?
Before these three disasters, ordinary Japanese had lost their confidence in another scandal hit government. How the government reaction to these three disasters, and the subsequent rebuilding process, could change the public perceptions of their leaders- but in the long term, we could see more changes inside the top echelon of the Japanese government.
5. Environmental Perceptions
After the nuclear disaster in Fukusima, many people are questioning the wisdom of building nuclear energy plants in a quake zone. Depending on the radiation levels, and the area contaminated, a worldwide reaction to the use of nuclear energy could result in the ending of the Obama nuclear energy program in the USA, and even France's ambitious energy program.
6. Money Markets
Japan remains the worlds third largest economy, but also like the United States, one of its biggest debtors. The value of the yen could fall, as banks spend on reconstruction projects, whilst the Government may be forced to raise taxes to pay for them. Some large Japanese corporations may cancel or put on hold overseas projects, re-investing these funds in rebuilding the areas affected by the earthquake.
7. Asian-Pacific Growth
China has the money and the economy in this region, but Japan is a second player in economic terms. Japanese companies invest in much of South East and North Asia, whilst the government often sponsor education & training programs in the region. Japan's contributions in the area, could shrink, leading to some fears of reduced growth.
The natural disasters of the earthquake and tsunami, have led to the man made nuclear disaster, and destruction of part of a high tech nation.. Japanese are resilient, inventive and industrious people, and should overcome the hurdles of reconstruction. However this does have a short term effect on the global economy, and a long term effect on the future of the nuclear power industry.

Effects of EarthQuakes

Which Natural Hazards Present A Higher Risk: Earthquakes Or Volcanoes?

By Hannah Fogster

I've always been fascinated by natural hazards and therefore I decided to write this article on the subject.
There are many different factors which influence the magnitude and the frequency of either an earthquake or a volcanic eruption. But apart from this there are some major differences between earthquakes and volcanoes. Earthquakes for example are found on conservative plate boundaries, e.g. the San Andreas Fault in California. Whereas volcanoes are located on destructive or constructive plate boundaries, for example Mt. St. Helens or Heimaey in Iceland. But they can also be created on a hot spot, places that have fierce heat in the mantle; Hawaii is located on such a hot spot.
Furthermore you need to focus on primary and secondary effects which are different in volcanoes and earthquakes. Primary effects of volcanoes are for example lava flows, ash clouds, ash bombs and pyroclastic flows, whereas earthquakes only have one primary effect which is the tremor.
But the secondary effects are much more vigorous with an earthquake, like tsunamis where flooding causes disease, or it could result in massive landslides as a consequence of the eruption. The most common secondary effect of earthquakes is fire which can cause both high economic and high social loss. The secondary effects of volcanic eruptions are mudflows or sometimes landslides.
How much a country or population is affected depends mainly on three factors: the magnitude and frequency of the hazard, the population density which determines exposure and the ability to minimise the damage. Levels of development, education, technology and resources all influence the vulnerability of the location. But also the risk has to be reviewed towards social, economic and environmental impact and the effects on global warming. Long term and short term consequences have to be considered.
For the people concerned it does not make much of a difference which hazard destroys their lives. They constantly have to live with this threat. Most of them don't have enough money to move away to protect themselves and their families. In most cases there is no way to solve this dilemma and people have to accept this 'catch-22.'

Earthquake Effects

Dealing With Emotional Impacts From Major Earthquakes

By Joy Tsai Yuan Hung

Here in San Diego we recently felt the effects of a major earthquake nearby in Baja California. I am struck by the different reactions of people around me, ranging from excitement, curiosity, disbelief, to fearful, anxious, shaken up, and traumatized. All these emotions are different but adaptive ways that people use to deal with a big natural or disaster event which we can not control.
Earthquakes can be triggers for people emotionally because they are unpredictable, dangerous, and may cause substantial damage to our lives. They also bring up intense fear that we could die or that we might lose our loved ones. Some people may feel re-traumatized if they have had a past experience with earthquake that brought about serious physical or emotional damages to themselves or people close to them. After a big earthquake, people may feel stressed, not able to relax, excessively worried, afraid of being alone, irritable, fear of separation or abandonment, and helplessness.
People may feel vulnerable and out of control, but there are things one can do to be more prepared for the next earthquake and to feel empowered by being proactive. Things such as discussing disaster plan with family members and restocking disaster supplies. This may also be a great time to reconnect and spend time with family, friends and those important to us. Events like earthquakes that threatened physical or emotional safety may also bring about deeper exploration about how each of us chooses to live our lives, and urge us to contemplate the meaning of our existence.
Talking about difficult feelings and acknowledging them are extremely helpful in dealing with traumatic experience. All feelings and different ways of coping are accepted and seen as normal reactions after stress events. When feelings become too overwhelming or begin to interfere with our daily functioning, seeking professional help from a therapist may help people manage difficulties associated with trauma or shocks.
Therapy may help people become less anxious or fearful about the future. Furthermore, a therapist may help people who are ready to explore their existential meaning to rethink what they need to do to live fuller lives.

Earthquake Effects

What To Do When Tsunami Attacks?

By Ramir Sarmiento

Year 2004 was an unforgettable year for Southeast Asian citizens. A very powerful tidal wave hit certain areas that resulted from destruction and left awful scenarios for the casualties. Over 200,000 people died in just a moment and unfortunately some bodies were never recovered and identified.
This is just one of the many recorded tsunami attacks from recent years and even centuries. It happened not just in the vicinities of the Pacific, but also in Indian and Atlantic Ocean, which brought up many into worry.
Way back 1600 B.C., until the recent happening in the island of Indonesia where more than 600 people were killed, tsunami has just brought up many people's lives into pain and suffering.
When an underground earthquake caused by plate collisions occurs in a certain area, a warning will be sent out to coastal teams as the possibilities of having tsunami is big. Warnings are sent out to any local authorities to inform civilians.
Tsunami attacks cannot be predicted up to what specific place. But since the Pacific area is known as the world's rim of fire, there is a bigger chance that tsunami can strike next to countries around it, which makes these countries conduct several preparations in case such awful disaster happens.
The main problem associated with some countries that suffered much is that they don't plan ahead of time. Tsunami can be unpredictable sometimes but the fact that these countries are near to coastal areas and places, which are prone to big tidal waves, should be a hint for them to prepare.
There should be a system that will effectively warn everybody to prepare for the coming tsunami. This alert system, which composes of information, watch, advisory, and warning, should be implemented.
Once an underground earthquake is detected, a firm called Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii will send out information to the countries along the area.
Although the specific place of impact is not yet clearly identified, they will still send out advisory to the possible regions that might be attacked by the tsunami.
It may take hours for the effects of the underground earthquake to happen but this signals everyone that there's a possibility for a tsunami to attack. With this, people along the coastal areas must watch over the water movement.
If something unusual is seen and there is water withdraw, then an immediate evacuation should take place.
One signal to inform everyone of the evacuation is via siren. The siren will start to sound at interval times three hours to half an hour before tsunami impacts.
By this time, everyone should begin packing and evacuating. One safe place is to go to higher grounds far from the danger zone. There should be emergency kits along with you once you packed out.
These include: food, water and clothing. Radio, as well, is important for you to know if it is safe already to go down.
People should watch out for further news about tsunami. If nothing happened, it is always safe to take consultation to the authorities and make sure that it is already safe to go back.
Coordination is one important thing that everyone, especially those near to tsunami-prone regions, should have. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Devastated structures and properties can still be replaced but a life cannot be returned.

Tsunami warning spreads across Pacific

Surviving A Tsunami - Tips To Prepare For A Tsunami Alert

By Abhishek Agarwal

Until December 2004, most of us thought of tsunamis as the makings of a good disaster movie, if we knew what "tsunami" meant at all. But with the awful devastation of 2004, we realized how much damage a tsunami can do.
What a Tsunami Is
Tsunamis are not large tropical storms caused by high winds. They are the result of undersea geological events like volcanoes, landslides, or earthquakes that occur with massive tectonic displacements. Earthquakes that reach 6.5 or above (Richter scale) can produce devastating waves that move at up to 300 miles per hour, reach heights of 100 feet, and last from several minutes to several hours from first wave to last surge.
In the open sea, the tsunami may not be noticeable, but when they enter shallower waters, the begins to "pile up" on itself, creating a massive wave that can destroy tall buildings and even travel inland for miles with great power.
Where Tsunamis Strike
Coastal areas in the Pacific Ocean basin are the most frequent targets of tsunamis, reflecting the greater vulnerability related to the famous "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates meet to form a great circle on the sea floor. Japan has experienced many tsunamis. In fact, tsunami is a Japanese word. They've also hit Alaska and Hawaii in the Pacific Basin and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in the Atlantic basin.
The Indian Ocean area has experienced many tsunamis as well, the 2004 tsunami taking more than 250,000 lives and destroying billions of dollars in property.
Preparing for a Tsunami Emergency
If you are in the water and feel a strong earthquake, leave the water immediately, getting as far from the beach as you can. Try to go to high ground, or go inland as far as possible if the ground near you is flat.
If you can see the incoming wave, you can't escape it. You simply don't have time. The best thing to do in that case is to get as high as you can as quickly as you can.
If you sense a strong earthquake and you are not at the beach, tune your radio to a local station that broadcasts during emergencies. They will notify the public in case a tsunami watch or warning has been issued, and they will let you know where emergency relief centers are.
At this point, you should know where your family members are. Make sure everyone knows about the alert. You should have an agreed-upon meeting place in case you're not all in the same place when the emergency is announced. Your meeting location should be as far from the shore as possible but not so far that people can't get to it in time.
Be sure to prepare for family members with special needs. If your family includes elderly, ill, or small children, be prepared to have help for them or try to evacuate them early. You may also want to prepare to evacuate your pets as well, bringing emergency food and water for them.
You should have prepared emergency supplies in your home. Bring them with you when you evacuate. At least take fresh water, some food, and extra clothing. Most important, have a first aid kit in case of injuries.
If you have time, you might try to secure your house, but not at the risk of your own life. There is little you can do to protect your possessions from an incoming tsunami, so focus on saving lives first.
Tsunami Watch or Tsunami Warning
The two terms have important different meanings. When authorities issue a tsunami watch, it means that a tsunami is possible, but no one has reported seeing one or a sighting hasn't been verified yet. A watch may include estimates for when and where a tsunami may strike.
When they issue a tsunami warning, it means that a tsunami has been reported and confirmed. By the time they issue the warning, the tsunami could be close. The warning will also let you know where to expect it to strike and when.
During the Wave
If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself at the mercy of an incoming tsunami, climb onto a rooftop or the highest point you can reach. The more stable the building, the safer the support will be. But get as high as you can no matter what. Hold on as tight as you can to any stable and heavy object available. If you must, climb a tree.
If you've already been overtaken by the water, grab something floating that's large enough to support you and hold onto it until you can find stable ground or get help. Grab anything that seems firm and try to get out of the water. The current will be strong, and you could be hurt by debris in the water. If you can get any part of your body out of the water, do so.
You have to accept that tsunamis, like most natural disasters, are uncontrollable. You will have the earthquake warning to give you time to escape.

Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre

Emergency Preparedness For A Tsunami - Being Prepared To Face The Wrath Of The Sea!

By Abhishek Agarwal

In 2004, a powerful tsunami washed over coastal areas in Southeast Asia, extending all the way to Africa's west coast. The tsunami took more than 200,000 lives, and some people were never recovered or identified. Much of this loss might have been avoided had an effective emergency preparedness system been in place.
The 2004 tsunami may have been the most deadly in recorded history, but it was not the first - 25 of them were recorded in the 20th Century alone. And while many of them have happened in the South Pacific, tsunamis have been recorded all over the world, from Japan to Chile, from Italy to to the United Kingdom. New Zealand's geologic record documents a tsunami 125,000 years ago,and written history documents these disasters as early as 1580 B.C. (following the Santorini volcano).
Until very recently, scientists have not been able to predict when and where a tsunami will strike, making emergency preparedness very difficult. Caused by earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides on the sea floor, today we can make and educated guess about when they will happen after such an event.
Today, regions at high risk may use a tsunami warning system to warn people before the wave reaches coastal areas. Computer models are used to predict the time and location of impact Until now, the exact location where tsunamis will strike cannot yet be predicted. But once an underground earthquake occurs, an alert is sent to coastal communities that something could go in that direction. Emergency preparedness efforts are more likely to succeed when these alerts are timely.
The famous "Ring of Fire," where many volcanoes have occurrred along the lines where tectonic plates meet in the Asian Pacific, was not adequately protected by an early warning system in 2004. This was a valuable lesson for coastal areas around the world, and scientists are working hard to prepare for future events in that area.
Emergency preparedness for tsunamis begins with early warning systems that include four elements: information, advisory, watch, and warning. When the system detects an underground earthquake, Hawaii's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center releases the news to the effected communities. Because it is too early to predict the size, time, or location of the potential tsunami at this stage, a more general advisory will be delivered to likely targets. It may take hours from the seismic event to the actual tsunami.
Where evidence suggests that a tsunami is likely but hasn't been witnessed or verified, early warning systems issue a watch alerting populations to the likelihoood. Emergency preparedness plans dictate that, at this time, people in coastal areas should be alert and watch the sea for signs, like a quick receding of ocean waters, that a tsunami is on its way. A siren may be used to alert the people, anywhere from three hours before the event is expected. If the water does begin to recede, a mandatory evacuation will begin.
Once a tsunami has been seen and verified, they issue a warning with more detailed information about where and when the giant wave will hit. A siren will again alert people. Once a warning is issued, people should already be moving out of the danger zone. They can go to high ground or try to go farther inland, taking fresh water, food, and extra clothing with them as they go. Part of the emergency preparedness effort includes announcements that will be made over the radio telling them when it's safe to return.
The early warning system continues to work during and after the event. People will remain in the area to monitor the situation and to cancel the warning if the tsunami does not materialize.
World leaders now recognize how important emergency preparedness is to potential tsunami victims. They encourage community leaders to develop plans and conduct exercises so that they know how long it will take to evacuate vulnerable areas. They should also have current estimates on the number of people in the area so that they'll know if people are missing after the crisis has passed.

Widespread tsunami warning issued after Japan quake