What do you know about earthquakes and what to do when the earth moves under your feet? I am not talking about the kind of trembling that inspired Belinda Carlisle to write a song! I am talking about sudden violent shaking of the ground as a result of movements within the earth’s crust.
I never expected to experience an earthquake in South Africa. The only thing I knew about it was that earthquake’s favorite song is Shake, Rattle and Roll and that his famous pick up line is ‘You crack me up’! Other than that, I was totally clueless when the glasses began to rattle in the cupboards and the kids started yelling as the 5.5 magnitude earthquake shook our world. What exactly do you do when an earthquake hits? Can you prepare for something so unforeseeable?
According to News24, in August alone, seven earthquakes were reported around the world. Algeria, Indonesia, Equator, Iceland, China, Iran and our own sunny South Africa was affected. The latest news is that Council for Geoscience (CGS) is busy identifying earthquake hotspots in South Africa’s urban areas. Below is a shortened insert of the article published on the News24 website on 25 August.
“We have already identified the hotspots of South Africa, however we are planning to work on a smaller scale, specifically in the urban areas”, seismology unit manager Michelle Grobbelaar said. “We plan to identify the hotspots within the urban areas in order to help mitigate future disasters due to building damage during an earthquake.” According to the council’s map, the areas around Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein were considered hotspots. “What these hotspots indicate are the areas where one can expect higher levels of seismicity”, said Grobbelaar. At the time, the CGS said more tremors were expected to be felt around the country in the coming weeks and months.
Now let us get down to business and educate the rainbow nation to be prepared for the improbable event of an earthquake. With anything in life there is good and bad ideas when it comes to coping with disaster. Let us explore our options.
Bad ideas
• There is a popular belief that the best place to be is in a doorway. This turns out to be a very bad idea because buildings are not as sturdy as it used to be and doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house. You are safer under a table.
• Getting out of your car when the earthquake hits while on the road is not wise and neither is taking shelter underneath a bridge.
• More people get injured while running outside or to another room for safety than those staying where they are and seeking shelter close by. It is more likely that flying and falling objects within your house or office will hit and injure you in an attempt to get out of the building or to another room.
• Turning on the gas or electricity after a severe shake can pose a fire hazard. The best idea is to shut off the gas valve and electricity control box.
Good ideas
• The ABC of earthquake preparedness is drop, cover and hold on.
o Drop down on hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down.
o Cover your head and neck (or your whole body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. When you are not close to cover, only then you should get down near an interior wall or low-lying furniture and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
o Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops.
• Stay indoors when you are already inside. There are a few rules to remember.
o Stay clear of exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances.
o The kitchen is probably the most dangerous place in the house.
o When you are in an office building, do not use the elevator and stay away from outside walls and windows.
• If you’re outside, get into the open. Stay clear of buildings, power lines or anything else that could fall on you.
• If you’re driving, move the car out of traffic and stop. Avoid parking under or on bridges or overpasses. Try to get clear of trees, light posts, signs and power lines. When you resume driving, watch out for road hazards.
• If you’re in a crowded public place like a mall or supermarket, avoid panicking and do not rush for the exit. Stay low and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
• Remember that aftershocks are sometimes large enough to cause damage in their own right and generally follow large quakes.
• It’s also a good idea to conduct an in-home practice drill to make sure everyone is on the same page.
There is a big difference between being prepared and being paranoid. Paranoia is unjustified suspicion and not recommended for permanence. Preparedness on the other hand is a state of readiness. My grandfather use to say “Prepare for the worst but hope for the best”. Don’t you agree?
Now you know what to do when the earth starts moving under your feet. Remember what you read and make some mental notes; talk to your loved ones and go back to living your life. Don’t sit around waiting for tragedy to strike, rather eat, drink and celebrate the breath in your lungs and the blood in your veins.
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Mariska Ford 