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Educational theme for kids |
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“Earthquake
and earthquake behavior rules” |
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Since the territory of the Republic
of Armenia is situated in the seismically active zone our main goal
is to provide the pupils with knowledge about seismic protection.
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Natural hazards,
what is the earthquake |
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All over the world people try
to protect themselves from natural calamities such as earthquakes,
floods, volcanoes, mudslides, hurricanes, etc. Every day a number
of earthquakes occur in the world.
Suddenly the ground shakes. Lamps hang on ceiling are swinging,
doors are opening with crash and the walls are cracking.
Frightened people rush out to the streets. It is an earthquake.
In a few seconds the cities can be turned into the rubble by the
earthquake. During the strongest earthquakes deep splits are formed
in the ground and become the reason for destructions. The course
of rivers is changed and new springs are originated.
Earthquakes happen when rocks are formed ten and sometimes hundred
km deep from the earth’s surface. That is the earthquake source,
where the shakings and quakes are especially strong. The place on
the earth’s surface that is located above the earthquake source
is called epicenter.
Earthquakes occur in the mountainous areas more often. In the territory
of Armenia a number of devastating earthquakes had happened which
were the reason of hundred thousands people’s death and destructions
of the cities and settlements. An example of such severe earthquake
is Spitak earthquake on 7 December 1988.
On average more than thousand earthquakes occur on the Earth every
year.
To define the intensity of the earthquake, specialists assess each
earthquake. As strong is the earthquake as high is the value of
its intensity. 10-12 is the highest value on MKS-64intensity scale
and 3-4 value on intensity scale is referred to small earthquakes.
Not always earthquake is strong. Sometimes the ground shakes slightly,
barely noticeable and doesn’t threaten people’s life.
In some cases the earthquake source is under the ocean. Huge waves
that are called tsunami arise. Tsunamis move on high speed, rise
about 10-15 meters near the shore and cause great damages.
Scientists are tracking the earth’s crust shifts by different equipment.
After the earthquake occurred in any part of the planet seismic
waves spread, like the waves when a stone falls into the water.
Those waves reach the seismic stations and the relevant equipment
records them.
Scientists made the maps of the regions of earthquakes of different
intensity and frequency. Those maps are called seismic zonation
maps.
People learn to predict the earthquakes, try to protect themselves
from its destructive impact through the learning earthquake behavior
rules.
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Basic knowledge
for personal seismic protection |
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Everybody should realize the
fact that we live in seismically active zone, though it shouldn’t
complicate our daily life since today we can learn how protect ourselves
from the deadly impact of disaster. |
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How prepare
for an earthquake |
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1. Choose the safest places of your
home or school where you can hide during the shakings.
2. Determine the safest way to run out from your house to the open
air area. Plan with family members about the place you will meet
after disaster if you are not at home during earthquake.
3. Learn how to provide first aid.
4. Prepare disaster supplies kit and keep it at home near the entrance.
It should include:
• First aid kit and essential medications
• Battery-powered radio and flashlight
• Documents and warm cloths
• Canned food and flasks of water.
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Know what
to do during the earthquake |
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1. Don’t panic, if you are downstairs
run out immediately and move away to open air area. In high buildings
or if you didn’t run out pick a safe place away from external walls
and windows. Duck under table or bed to be protected from falling
objects.
If you are on third or higher floor of the building stay inside,
pick a safe place as the duration of the earthquake is short and
you won’t be able to get outside till the end of the shakings. Beside,
stairways and stair platform are the building’s weak part.
2. If you are outdoors move away from buildings and power lines
to a clear spot, and if you are in a car ask the driver to stop
the car away from high-rise buildings and stay in the car until
the shakings stop.
3. During the shakings don’t try to enter the building to help someone,
wait until the shakings stop.
4. If there is a dust close your mouth and nose with piece of cloth.
5. If you get awaken from the shakings use only flashlight to avoid
fire. Do not waste time on wearing your clothes, take the disaster
supply kit, your documents and act properly to situation.
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What
to do after the earthquake |
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1. When you are in rubble
don’t get upset, if it is possible move to safe place. Give
first aid for injured. Try to get in touch with people in
the street or who are in rubble too (cry, hit with metallic
things).
2. Being in rubble for a few days don’t panic, you should
keep your force, don’t do waste movements. If you have food,
make it into few pieces and use it economically.
3. If thirsty and there are puddles formed from damaged water
supply and the ground is wet, cut a piece of cloth and drink
water using it. Keeping small plain stone in mouth also ease
the sense of thirst.
4. Remember the rescuers are searching you and certainly you’ll
be saved.
5. After the main shocks there are aftershocks. Possibility
of these aftershocks is high after the first earthquake. So
if you are outside do not enter the building to help someone
or to take out some valuable things. Be careful opening the
doors of shelves or closets as heavy objects can fall down.
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