Recent Major Earthquakes Oct. 7, 2005: Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, magnitude 7.6; more than 18,000 killed Dec. 26, 2004: Indian Ocean, magnitude 9; more than 174,000 people killed, another 106,000 missing Dec. 26, 2003: Southeastern Iran, Bam, magnitude 6.5; more than 26,000 killed May 21, 2003: Northern Algeria, magnitude 6.8; nearly 2,300 killed

Map showing highest risk of earthquake activity.

Earthquake Detecting Device in Ancient China in 132 AD 张衡 Zhang, Heng AD The earliest Seismometer 地动仪

Modern Seismometer Modern seismometers also utilize the seismic -wave and ground motion to detect earth -quakes. Earliest designs of Western seismometers used the similar principles as Chinese design (the mass-frame contrast design) Now, the detections are done electronically

Prediction of Earthquakes Unfortunately, we do not have a reliable way to make short term predictions yet; One of the well known successes of earthquake prediction happened in China, HaiCheng Earthquake (1975) One of the most disastrous earthquakes in the last century also happened in China, TangShan Earthquake (1976)

海城 （ 1975 ） HaiCheng Earthquake Richter deaths 唐山 (1976) TangShan Earthquake, Richter ,400 deaths

Why such Huge Difference? HaiCheng earthquake had various forewarnings in the preceding months: 1) Change in the land elevation and in the ground water level 2) Widespread reports of peculiar animal behaviours 3) Increasing foreshock activities The prediction in HaiCheng was made just 1 day in advance No forewarnings for TangShan earthquake

Modify Vulnerability Prediction and Warning

Common Prediction Methods Animal behavior Seismic electrical signal measurements Earthquake “nucleation” phase detection Geochemical measurements Statistical analysis of seismicity

Modify the Event Hazard Resistant Design

LEDC Low cost aseismic design

MEDC aseismic design

Current GeoHazards International projects bring earthquake safety and awareness to India and Central Asia

INDIA GeoHazards International (GHI) is working in India with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to reduce earthquake risk in several cities there.

Shimla is located along a ridge in the northwestern Himalayas. Its precarious location in an earthquake-prone region, combined with weak construction techniques and a rapidly growing population, put Shimla at serious risk of earthquake disaster.

Buildings and roads in Shimla have been constructed on slopes as steep as %.

New construction is underway..... but old problems continue. Shimla’s population has grown from 770 in 1901 to over 700,000 in New construction for the ever-increasing population exhibits the same structural problems as existing weak buildings.

The Shimla community will draft an earthquake risk mitigation plan with help from GHI.

mobile simulation room to raise citizen awareness and encourage both structural and non-structural mitigation for earthquake safety.

Community Preparedness Management of emergency services

Damaged buildings Open roads Blocked roads Searched buildings

Tracked emergency vehicles

Awareness of the public

Modify the Loss Aid

Insurance