Hazards: Take Control EARTHQUAKE By NEMO Saint Lucia

DISASTER RISKS FACED BY THE CARIBBEAN Source: Primer Series by the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction DISASTER RISKS FACED BY THE CARIBBEAN Source: Primer Series by the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction FIRES HURRICANES VOLCANOES FLOODS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE DEVELOP POLICIES FOR ACTIONS HAVING HIGH BENEFIT/COST FOR THE CARIBBEAN REGION GOAL: REDUCE DISASTER RISK LANDSLIDES EARTHQUAKES MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Hazard: Earthquakes THE SEISMICALLY ACTIVE FAULT ZONES OF THE WORLD ARE EXPERIENCING COMPRESSION, SHEAR, OR TENSION

Strike-Slip: SHEAR Reverse: COMPRESSION Normal: TENSION Hazard: Earthquakes Basic Fault Models

Hazard: Earthquakes EXAMPLES OF COMPRESSION: THE CARIBBEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN SUBDUCTION ZONE.

Hazard: Earthquakes

Large earthquakes affecting Saint Lucia have occurred on: 11 Jan, 1839 = 7.5 magnitude 2 Feb, 1906 = 7.0 magnitude [67 yrs later] 19 Mar, 1953 = 7.3 magnitude [47 yrs later] 29 Nov, 2007 = 7.3 magnitude [54 yrs later] Average = 54 yrs Next BIG on = 2061 or before???? Hazard: Earthquakes With little ones all the time.

Seismicity map showing earthquake activity in the eastern Caribbean from January- August 2007 Seismicity map showing locations of major earthquakes which have occurred in the Eastern Caribbean in the 20th century. Credit: SRU Hazard: Earthquakes

THE KEY IS: 1) KNOW THE DISASTER HISTORY OF YOUR REGION 2) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY Preparing for Earthquakes

Discuss the hazard with your family. Prepare a disaster plan. Know the safe zones. Prepare an evacuation plan. Conduct drills Don’t forget your pets! Preparing for Earthquakes

REMAIN CALM REMAIN CALM. DO NOT PANIC. BE ALERT If inside, stay inside. Do not run outside during an earthquake. If inside, protect head and face by staying away from glass windows, mirrors and pictures and by going under a strong desk, bed or other piece of furniture. Be sure to hold on to the furniture and stay alert. During an Earthquake

REMAIN CALM Do not use elevators or stairs If outside, stay outside away from glass buildings, electricity poles and bridges. If in a vehicle, do not stop on or under a bridge.  X During an Earthquake

REMAIN CALM Do not light a match. Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. If Trapped

REMAIN CALM Listen to official sources for instructions. Check for broken gas lines and fires. Check utilities and switch them off, if necessary. Check your building for serious damage and evacuate if the building seems likely to collapse. After an Earthquake

There is, therefore, a need for a proper scientific study into the matter by civil engineers, seismologists and the like before the “triangle of life” can be a recommended strategy for use during an earthquake, in which structures crumble. Seismic Research Centre at Preparing for Earthquakes Triangle of Life

The Journal says its investigation shows that Copp, who has traveled to numerous disaster areas around the world in the past 20 years, has a history of exaggeration and self-promotion with little evidence of real rescue work. From CBS News... July 12, 2004 Preparing for Earthquakes Triangle of Life

Building code November 30, The Ministry of Planning says a National Building Code for St. Lucia - three years in the making is about to come to fruition. The development of the code has been further prompted by an increase is the destructive nature of natural disasters in recent times, which has been further exacerbated by spontaneous developments in several disaster prone areas of the country. Preparing for Earthquakes As of April 2010 the Building Code has not been adopted

“It is generally accepted that disaster mitigation pays. For example, the World Bank and United States Geological Survey once calculated that economic losses worldwide from natural disasters during the 1990s could be reduced by $280 billion if $30 billion were invested in disaster mitigation and preparedness — a ratio of $7 saved for every $1 spent.” Twigg 2001, p. 3. Preparing for Earthquakes What will you spend your $1.00 on?

Preparing for Earthquakes I want to urge you to act now in getting the insured household percentage up from 35%. I want to challenge you to strive at a 60% figure for this year, no matter how painful the financial cost Dr. Kenny D. Anthony Prime Minister of Saint Lucia January 16, 2005

The four components of an early warning system: 1.Monitor the hazard; 2.Quantify the hazard; 3.A disaster plan to address the hazard; [Earthquake Response Plan, Urban Search and Rescue Plan] 4.Effective communications for warning. Early Warning Systems

Scientists cannot predict earthquakes, though they can forecast e.g. An M8 earthquake is FORCAST for the Caribbean, but when it will occur cannot be PREDICTED. Early Warning Systems

When: 29 Nov The epicenter:  14.9° north  61.2° west [east of Martinique] Magnitude: 7.4 Depth: about 121 km lasted for approximately 20 seconds Effects of Earthquakes

When: 12 Jan The epicenter:  18.46° north  72.53° west [west of Port au Prince] Magnitude: 7.0 Depth: about 8km lasted for approximately 35 seconds Effects of Earthquakes

LIQUEFACTION -- Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which the strength and stiffness of a soil is reduced by earthquake shaking or other rapid loading. Liquefaction and related phenomena have been responsible for tremendous amounts of damage in historical earthquakes around the world. [ E.g. Black Mallet/Maynard Hill disaster was a mild case of liquefaction Effects of Earthquakes

TSUNAMIS -- Not all earthquakes generate tsunamis. To generate tsunamis, earthquakes must occur underneath or near the ocean, be large and create movements in the sea floor. All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Pacific Ocean there is a much more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along the margins of the Pacific Ocean. Effects of Earthquakes

“All Clear” announcements are not given for earthquakes. Expect aftershocks for days after the earthquake. ALL CLEAR

Family Disaster Plan Family Evacuation Plan Family Disaster Supplies List pliesCalendar.pdf Online Resources National Emergency Management Plan