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Home > Earthquake Survival Kits Provide Needed Supplies
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Preparedness Ideas |
| Earthquake preparedness is key to surviving an earthquake, one of the most destructive forces of nature. While many areas of the world have more seismic events than others, the potential exists all over the world. The following information will help you with your planning and selection of survival kits. Part of your planning is getting survival supplies in earthquake kits. While seismic events may be your major concern, you need to be prepared for other hazards as well. Visit our Family Emergency Preparedness Tips page for more information. |
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Terminology
Familiarize yourself with these terms to help understand an earthquake.
- Earthquake - A seismic event caused by slipping or movement of a portion of the earth's crust, followed by a series of vibrations.
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Aftershock - A seismic event of similar or lesser intensity that follows the main seismic event.
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Fault - The fracture where displacement has occurred during a seismic event. The slippage may range from less than an inch to more than 10 yards in a severe event.
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Epicenter - The place on the earth's surface where the seismic event began. Once fault slippage begins, it expands along the fault during the event and can extend hundreds of miles.
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Seismic Waves - Vibrations that travel away from the fault line at speeds of several miles per second. Although slippage under a structure can cause considerable damage, seismic waves cause most of the destruction during earthquakes.
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Magnitude - The amount of energy released during a seismic event. A magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale would be a strong earthquake. Each number on the scale represents an increase of about 30 times more energy released than the previous number.
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Megathrust Earthquake - An interplate seismic event where one tectonic plate slips beneath another. These earthquakes are among the worlds largest, with magnitudes exceeding 9.0. They occur most often in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and are connected to the "Ring of Fire." Since these earthquakes deform the ocean floor, they normally generate a tsunami.
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| Your earthquake preparedness plans should consider the following situations. Your earthquake survival kits should be available to support you during each of these situations. |
During an earthquake if you are:
- Indoors:
- Take cover under a desk, table or bench; or against an inside wall or doorway.
- Stay away windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall on you.
- If you'e sleeping, stay in bed and cover your head with a pillow. If your bed is under a heavy light fixture or you have a large mirror or painting over your headboard, move to the nearest safe place.
- Stay inside until the shaking stops. Most injuries during an earthquake occur when people enter or exit a structure.
- Be aware that the electricity may go out or sprinkler systems and alarms may go off.
- Do not use elevators.
- Outdoors:
- Stay there and move away from buildings, streetlights, and overhead utility wires.
- In a moving vehicle:
- Keep earthquake survival kits in your car.
- Stop quickly but safely and stay in the vehicle. Don't stop near or under buildings, trees, overpasses or overhead utility wires.
- Proceed carefully once the shaking has stopped and keep an eye out for road damage and obstructions.
- Trapped under debris:
- Do not light a match for light.
- Do not move about or kick up dust.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or clothing to keep dust out.
- Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle or shout for help. Use three taps or whistles followed by a pause until rescuers find you.
For additional earthquake preparedness information click here to get your copy of the "Are You Ready?" book from FEMA.
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