While the deadly July 22, magnitude 5.9 earthquake in China’s Gansu Province struck an area very different than our own—mud-and-tile-roofed houses and poor-quality construction are quite common in the rural area of northwest China—like other major earthquakes around the world, it can serve as a useful reminder for all of us in Missouri to think about earthquake preparedness and disaster preparedness in general. It can also help jump start conversations with our children that can provide valuable lessons. Magnitude and depth An earthquake’s magnitude is not the only factor that determines its destructive force. Estimates are that 2,000 homes were destroyed and more than 20,000 were heavily damaged in China. The depth of an earthquake has a very strong effect on the amount of damage caused: generally, with earthquakes of the same magnitude, the deeper the earthquake, the less damage that is caused. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the July 22 earthquake in China was at a depth of about 6 miles. These are factors beyond our control, obviously, but there are things that we can control. Construction standards Casualties and the destruction of homes, buildings and infrastructure vary extremely widely depending on building standards and preparedness. In the Missouri and the U.S., building standards are much higher than in rural China or Haiti, the site of a 2010 magnitude 7.0 earthquake that killed more than 100,000 people and destroyed of severely damaged more than 200,000 residences. Lessons So what lessons are there for us in Missouri? While there has not been a major earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in more than 200 years, we do live in the most active seismic zone east of the Rocky Mountains. The geologic record demonstrates that medium to large earthquakes have occurred along the New Madrid Seismic Zone. At this time, we cannot predict when the next event may happen. Planning and preparedness can make Missouri communities safer and more resilient. SEMA recommends that families take steps to prepare for an earthquake now. This includes checking for potential hazards around your home, identifying safe places in each room where you could be safe from an earthquake, and putting together an emergency kit with extra food and water, a first-aid kit, NOAA weather radio, flashlights with extra batteries, and more. Be aware that SEMA and our local, state and federal partners plan for and exercise to respond to a major quake but are you and your family prepared to live independently for three days? More on the science behind earthquakes at dnr.mo.gov/geology/geosrv/earthquakes.htm. See SEMA earthquake preparedness information at sema.dps.mo.gov/earthquake_preparedness/earthquake_preparedness.asp
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 20:52:48 +0000