1. On Earthquake Preparedness in Israel Dr. Avi Shapira Chairman of the Steering Committee Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

2. 2 m N Marco et al. 1997

3. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee HISTORICAL EVIDENCE In the sparsely populated Levant region, the disasters following earthquakes killed thousands of people. All the towns and cities in the region suffered heavy destruction at least once. The towns on the coast have experienced Tsunamis.

4. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee Jan. 1837 – The Roam fault. Magnitude 6.5-7.0. About 7000 victims. Total destruction in the Galilee especially Zaffed, Tiberias, Acre, Nablus, Nazareth and Zur. Oct. 1759 – The Bak’a Valley, M>6.5. More than 3000 victims in the towns and villages of Lebanon, the Galilee and the Damascus region. Tsunami in Acre. Jan. 1546 – Jordan Valley. M>6. Hundreds killed in Nablus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Hebron, Gaza, Ramla, Jaffa. Tsunami in Jaffa’s port. May 1202 – Hula valley, M>=7, More than 30000 people killed and heavy damages in the populated areas of the Levant.

5. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee 1068 – The epicenter is possibly in the Arava or in the Gulf of Aqaba. Over 15,000 victims. Total destruction in today Jordan and Israel from Eilat(Aqaba) to Banias. Dec. 1033 – The epicenter possibly in the Jordan valley. Total destruction of Jericho, Half of Ramla and Nablus, Major disaster in Jerusalem, Hebron, Gaza, Acre, Bania. Port of Acre was dry for an hour. Heavy damages from Egypt to Syria. Jan. 749 – Jordan Valley – Lake Kinnereth. Bet She’an totally destroyed. Heavy destruction of Tiberias, Jerusalem, Lod, Jericho, Jarash. Tsunami along the coast. Sept. 31 B.C. –Dead sea, More than 30000 people killed in Jerusalem and Judea and heavy damages in the Galilee.

6. 1837 1759 749 1927 1068 1202 363 Bet She’an 749

7. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee Instrumental Seismicity 1900-2007

9. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee In 1999, following the earthquake catastrophe in Turkey, The Israeli government formed a Ministerial Cabinet and the interministerial earthquake preparedness committee; Advisory body to the ministerial cabinet. Steering committee and coordinator of government ministries to improve the level of earthquake preparedness of the state of Israel. Professional advisor to the emergency response organizations and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of the Ministry of Defense.

10. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee The Mission Prepare for the unavoidable local and regional strong earthquakes i.e., assure that a natural phenomena will not cause catastrophes.

11. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee Seismic hazard and risk assessments. Codes and regulations for new buildings and constructions. Strengthening existing building. (Financial incentives) Public Awareness. Training engineers. Development and implementation of new engineering technologies. EARTHQUAKES DO NOT KILL, BUILDINGS DO !

12. תאוצת הקרקע המירבית FOCUS ON PREVENSION AND MITIGATION RATHER THAN ON RESPONSE

13. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee During the first hours NOBODY will come for help. Organize the local communities. 95% of the survivors are rescued by passing-by people. Train people for elementary rescue operations and medical help. Aftershocks prevent people from occupying their houses - Train engineers to evaluate the safety of buildings. FAIL TO PREPARE ? - PREPARE FOR THE DISASTER !

14. Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee Issue guidelines– We are privileged to have in-house shelters when we can not get out immediately. Recently, developing special Seismic Shelters in classrooms. Installing Real Time Alarm Systems. Impose the installation of automatic valves on Gas containers. And more …. Damage can be reduced- Casualties must be avoided !

15. P 6-8 km/sec S 3-4 km/sec Warning time Dangerous shaking Propagation time of P waves זמן Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee No Prediction but Possible real time warning

16. Thank you ! Jerusalem July 11, 1927