Download Earthquakes - Joel Buck

Earthquakes
HOW TO PREPARE, RESPOND, AND STAY INFORMED.
Why do earthquakes matter to us?
Salt Lake County and other
heavily populated counties lie
directly atop the Wasatch Fault.
The Wasatch Fault is one of the
biggest and most active faults
along the entire Intermountain
Seismic Belt.
A history of major Utah earthquakes.
• May 13, 1914: Ogden
• Sept. 29, 1921: Elsinore, Monroe, Richmond
• Mar. 12, 1934: Kosmo, north of Great Salt Lake
• Aug. 30, 1962: East Valley fault zone
• Oct. 4, 1967: Marysvale area, southern Utah
• Mar. 28, 1975: Utah-Idaho border
Why do
earthquakes
happen?
The crust of the Earth is
made of multiple tectonic
plates.
Heat rising from the Earth’s
core pushes the plates along
the surface.
As the magma cools, it sinks
back down and drags the
plates down with it.
How do these plates cause earthquakes?
Tectonic plates build up tension between others as they move on. When that tension snaps,
earthquakes happen.
Examples of plate boundaries.
THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT
A TRANSFORM BOUNDARY
AN UNDERWATER DIVERGENT BOUNDARY
Earthquakes in the United States.
Faults located throughout the U.S. cause earthquakes, along with the San Andreas Fault on the
West Coast.
What is a fault?
Faults are cracks in the
tectonic plates, created from
heat or pressure.
They can crack or split
further, creating earthquakes
of their own.
Examples of faults.
NEW MADRID FAULT
A STRIKE-SLIP FAULT
Should we be worried?
Utah is due for an enormous, 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the same
size of the one that devastated Haiti not too long ago.
Major quakes occur on the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch
Fault approximately every 1,300 years on average.
Scientists estimate that it has been about 1,300 years since the last
quake.
How can we
know if a quake
is coming?
Quakes send out a weaker,
initial wave known as a
Primary wave that can be
picked up ahead of the more
powerful, Secondary waves.
Stations set up throughout
the state can pick up these
weaker waves first and send
out warnings before the big
ones hit.
How to prepare for an earthquake.
There are many ways to mitigate the danger an earthquake might pose, both before and during
an earthquake.
Know what to expect during a quake.
• Falling objects are the biggest indoor threat.
• Buildings can shake wildly, or even collapse.
• Earthquakes can leave people confused and disoriented.
• The stress can cause medical issues, such as heart attacks.
• Utilities can break and pose hazards, like gas or power lines.
• Aftershocks can follow after initial shaking has ended.
Mitigate those dangers ahead of time.
• Move or secure objects around your house to prevent falling.
• Determine safe spots in your house to avoid panicking.
• Learn techniques to keep calm during the earthquake.
• Keep up a stock of emergency supplies.
Be equipped for special considerations.
• Personal care assistance: how can they respond to emergency?
• Let neighbors know you may need aid during a disaster.
• Preparations like walking aids, extra batteries for hearing aids.
Emergency
supplies to have.
• Water and food.
• Flashlight.
• Medical supplies.
• List of medical needs.
• Radio or backup cell
phone.
What should be the first response to an earthquake?
Get under something steady and secure, and hold on.
What to do during an earthquake.
• If you are in bed, stay in bed. Otherwise, drop, cover, hold on.
• Wheelchair users should get to a safe place and lock their wheels.
• If outdoors, get to an open area clear of anything that could fall.
• If driving, pull over immediately, preferably away from hazards.
• Do not use the elevator.
What to do after an earthquake.
• Assist anyone in need of help.
• Be careful of hazards.
• If you have to move locations, leave a note of some kind for anyone
who might come looking.
• If you have a radio or phone, pay close attention to stay updated.
What are some resources that can help?
Phone apps that can help alert you of an earthquake, or provide help in finding family during
disasters.
QuakeFeed
Earthquake tracker app for
iPhones and iPads.
Provides maps, alerts, and
news on earthquakes around
the world.
Earthquake Alert
App for Android devices,
such as the Samsung Galaxy.
All the same features as
QuakeFeed before: alerts,
news, maps.
Family Locator
Keep in touch with your
family on iOS and Android
systems.
Can alert family members to
your location, plus send
messages.
Helpful during and outside of
disasters.
Additional resources at Be Ready Utah.
You can follow them on Twitter or Facebook for additional updates and information.
Thank you.
We will be available for questions and help in accessing the apps or
website.