Earthquakes What is an Earthquake? An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault, much like what happens when you snap your fingers. Before the snap, you push your fingers together and sideways. Because you are pushing them together, friction keeps them from moving to the side. When you push sideways hard enough to overcome this friction, your fingers move suddenly, releasing energy in the form of sound waves that set the air vibrating and travel from your hand to your ear, where you hear the snap.

Earthquakes They strike suddenly, without warning They can occur at any time of the year They can happen at day or night Every year 70-75 earthquakes happen worldwide Ground shaking from earthquakes can collapse buildings, bridges, disrupt gas, disrupt power, Disrupt telephone lines, Sometimes trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires, and Huge Tsunamis.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Most earthquake related injuries and deaths result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects caused by the ground shaking. It is extremely important for a person to move as little as possible to reach the place of safety he or she has identified, because most injuries occur when people are trying to move more than a few feet during the shaking.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Naval Base Guam has Typhoon hardened buildings and utilizes up to date building codes.

Earthquakes How do I protect myself? Preparation 1. Post emergency contact numbers near all phones, pre-program emergency numbers into your cell phones. Teach children how to make 911 calls to get emergency assistance. Teach children how to make long distance calls Pick a friend or relative that all family members will call if separated . Pick meeting places if you are separated. One should be near your home and the other should be outside the neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Take a basic First aid and CPR class

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Discuss with members of Your household the possibility of earthquakes and what to do to stay safe if one occurs Pick safe places in each room of your home and your office or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture, such as a sturdy table or desk, or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you. The shorter the distance to your safe place, the less likely it is that you will be injured by furnishings that become flying debris during the shaking. Injury statistics show that persons moving as little as 10 feet during an earthquake’s shaking are more likely to experience injury.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Indoors 3. Practice drop, cover, and hold on in each safe place. Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture. If suitable furniture is not nearby, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Indoors Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each persons bed. Talk with your insurance agent about earthquake protection. Inform guest, babysitters, and caregivers of earthquake plans. Everyone in your home should know what To do if an earthquake occurs, even if you Are not there at the time. Hang heavy items, such as pictures And mirrors, away from beds, couches, And anywhere people sleep or sit.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Indoors Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures and furniture 9. Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on a protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. 10. Use a doorway for shelter only if it is close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway. 11. Be aware that electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on. Check for and extinguish small Fires.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Indoors If you are in a coastal area, drop, cover, and hold on during an earthquake and then move immediately to higher ground when the shaking stops. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes. DO NOT use elevators Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. The contents of cabinets can shift during the shaking of an earthquake. Latches will prevent cabinets from opening and spilling out the contents. Place large or heavy objects on shelves near the floor.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Indoors 15. Evaluate animal facilities and places your pet likes to hide in, to ensure that any hazardous substances or structures are as safe as possible.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? Outdoors Find a clear spot away from buildings. Trees, streetlights, and power lines. If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location, stop, and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Avoid bridges and ramps that may have been damaged by the quake If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Things can be loosened by the earthquake. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? When the Shaking stops 1. Only use the phones for emergencies 2. Check your neighbors to see if they need assistance 3. Be prepared for aftershocks Stay off the streets; if you must travel, be on the lookout for downed power lines. Have your Emergency Supply kit (72 hour kit) ready Cooperate with public safety officials

Earthquakes How do I protect Myself? When the Shaking stops Put on long sleeve shirts and long pants with gloves to protect yourself from broken objects Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe Do not enter partially collapsed or damaged buildings Do not use candles, matches, or open flames indoors because of possible gas leaks Expect aftershocks Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids

Earthquakes If I become trapped under debris 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.

Earthquakes Information about earthquake risk is available from the web site of the US Geological Survey National Seismic Hazards Project http://eqhazmaps.usgs.gov/ The earthquakes hazards program is located at: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/