What is an Earthquake?? Why it happens?

Earthquakes are natural disaster that makes lot of damage to life and property. The shaking of the earth can cause buildings to fall down, trapping people inside.......

Earthquake Means What?

• An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the earth which lasts for a very short time.

• Earthquakes can cause immense damage to buildings, dams, etc.

• They may also cause floods, land slides, tsunamis and loss of life.

• It is caused by a disturbance deep inside the earth's crust.

There are 3 types of earthquake:

1. Shallow fault earthquakes: A fault is a break in the rock beneath our feet.
2. Subduction zone earthquakes: The largest earthquakes ever recorded are subduction zone earthquakes.
3. Deep earthquakes: Deep earthquakes occur in the subducting ocean slab, deep beneath the continental crust.

How Earthquake Happens?

• Generally earthquakes happen due to sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves.

• The Earth's crust (the outer layer of the planet) is made up of several pieces called tectonic plates and most earthquakes occur along their edges.

• The plates under the oceans are called oceanic plates.

• Plates that are not under the ocean are continental plates.

• The plates are moved around by the motion of a deeper part of the earth (the mantle) that lies underneath the crust, and by the weight of oceanic plates that pulls them down below oceanic plates.

• These plates are always moving apart, bumping, or sliding past each other at about the same speed that your fingernails grow.

• Earthquakes usually occur where two plates are running into each other or sliding past each other.

What Should I do During Earthquake?

Following cautions and action should be taken if you found that you are stuck in earthquake :

• Keep calm and reassure others.

• If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as possible and stay in the vehicle.

• Do not use candles, matches or other open flames. Put out all fires.

• During the event, the safest place is an open space, away from buildings.

• If you are outside, move away from buildings and utility wires.

• Once in the open, stay there till the vibrations stop.

• If you are indoors, take cover under a desk, table, bed, or doorways and against inside walls and staircase.

• Stay away from glass doors, glass panes, windows, or outside doors.

• Do not rush to go out of the building, to avoid the stampede.

What Should I do After Earthquake?

• Monitor local news and radio for emergency information.

• Don’t use the phone unless it’s an emergency since you could tie up the lines needed for emergency response.

• Do not light matches or turn on light switches until you’re sure there are no gas leaks or flammable liquids spilled.

• Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking.

Lastly stay safe stay happy may god keep you secure and healthy.