An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night.
EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS:
Southern California is subject to frequent — and sometimes very destructive — earthquakes. Scientist cannot yet make precise predictions of the date, time and place of an earthquake, so earthquake forecasts are in the form of probabilities as to actualities.
We are surrounded by three major earthquake faults: San Andreas, San Jacinto, and Elsinore.
The San Andreas Fault runs through the San Bernardino Mountains through the Coachella Valley to the Salton Sea. The fault is 600 miles long, stretching from Eureka in Northern California to the Mexican border. The fault has the capability of producing up to an 8.3 magnitude earthquake.
The San Jacinto Fault extends more than 125 miles, from northwest of El Centro to northwest of San Bernardino. This fault “passes through” the intersection of Interstate Highways 10 and 215, in Loma Linda, the Box Springs Mountains across Highway 60 to the northern end of the San Jacinto Valley. This fault has the capability of producing up to a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
The Elsinore Fault, which is much smaller than the San Jacinto Fault is located southeast of Lake Matthews, running through Corona and south into Lake Elsinore. It is connected to the Whittier fault near the Santa Ana River in the Corona/Riverside area. This fault has the capability of producing up to a 6.0 magnitude earthquake.
Suggest you download: EARTHQUAKE SAFETY ACTIVITIES – For Children and Teachers PDF a 55 page booklet.
http://www.dodea.edu/Offices/Safety/upload/2010_FEMA.pdf
What Should I Do During An Earthquake?
If you’re indoors, stay there. Get under — and hold onto –a desk or table, or stand against an interior wall. Stay clear of exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances. The kitchen is a particularly dangerous spot. If you’re in an office building, stay away from windows and outside walls and do not use the elevator.
CHECKLIST:
♦ Drop, Cover and Hold-on. Move as little as possible.
♦ If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.
♦ Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattering glass.
♦ Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.
♦ Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.
If you’re outside, get into the open. Stay clear of buildings, power lines or anything else that could fall on you.
CHECKLIST:
♦ Find a clear spot and drop to the ground (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights). Stay there until the shaking stops.
♦ If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes of cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.
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.
CHECKLIST:
♦ If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses, and power lines if possible. Stay inside your car with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.
♦ If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.
If you’re in a mountainous area, beware of the potential for landslides. Likewise, if you’re near the ocean, be aware that tsunamis are associated with large earthquakes. Get to high ground.
If you’re in a crowded public place, avoid panicking and do not rush for the exit. Stay low and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
Checklist of what do I do after an earthquake?
- Expect and prepare for aftershocks or landslides.
- Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover, and hold on.
- Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons.
- Put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
- Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
- Listen to a portable, battery-operated or hand-crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
- Check your telephone to see if you get a dial tone. Make brief calls to report life-threatening emergencies only.
- Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
- Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
- Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
- Help people who require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled.
- Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.
- Keep animals under your direct control.
- Stay out of damages buildings.
- If you are away from home return only when authorities say its safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage.
