Name : Revi Oktapratiwi Class : XI IPA 1

SURVIVING AN EARTHQUAKE

In some public buildings which are situated in earthquake zones around the world, there are automatic announcement that are made when there is an earthquake. The announcement says :Earthquake! Drop! Cover! Hold! Earthquake! Drop! Cover! Hold! Earthquakes itself is the Earth's natural means of releasing stress. When the Earth's plates move against each other, stress is put on the lithosphere. There are many different types of earthquakes: tectonic, volcanic, and explosion. The type of earthquake depends on the region where it occurs and the geological make-up of that region. The most common are tectonic earthquakes. These occur when rocks in the earth's crust break due to geological forces created by movement of tectonic plates. Another type,volcanic

earthquakes, occur in conjunction with volcanic activity. Collapse earthquakes are small earthquakes in underground caverns and mines, and explosion earthquakes result from the explosion of nuclear and chemical devices. We can measure motion from large tectonic earthquakes using GPS because rocks on either side of a fault are offset during this type of earthquake. What causes stress? So far we understand that there are different types of earthquakes, caused by forces under the Earth's crust that change the shape of the material they are acting on, and produce a variety of waves which we feel. But what are these forces? Where do they occur? What causes them? The explanation for the majority of earthquakes in recent years falls under the category of plate tectonics. When two plates interact at their boundaries they put forces on each other. These forces of reaction cause physical and chemical changes at their boundaries. Plates move side to side, up and down, and also interact head on. Earthquakes also occur in these areas where new plates are being created and old plates are being subducted into the Earth's interior. Earthquakes which are due to the interaction of plates are called interplate earthquakes. But what about

intraplate earthquakes, which occur across one plate? Less common than earthquakes that occur at plate boundaries, these earthquakes are due to local systems of forces, such as lack of strength or changes in temperature below the Earth's crust. Most often they are due to movement on preexisting faults. Often when there is an earthquake , people just do not understand what is happening and they have no idea what they should do. In earthquake all over the world, more people have been injured while they have been running to get out of large public buildings, than have been hurt by the earthquakes themselves. So, my recommendation is: If you are in a large public building when there is an earthquake, an advices comes forth must be get out of the building or the house. That must be the safest way to escape from the disaster. But what if we are on the fifth floor of a building? It is not suggested to use elevator or lift since you can be trapped inside it. What you have to do to avoid severe injury is try to get away from any glasses windows or hanging mirrors. Next thing to do is drop down to the floor quickly and cover your head with your arms. If it is possible you can grab any stuffed thing like couch pillow to cover your head. Never try to rush out. You should stay calm and you are supposed not to be panicly. If you are indoors, stay there. Quickly move to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk, a strong table, or along an interior wall. The goal is to protect yourself from falling objects and be located near the structural strong points of the room. Avoid taking cover near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, heavy furniture, heavy appliances or fireplaces. If you are cooking, turn off the stove and take cover. If you are outdoors, move to an open area where falling objects are unlikely to strike you. Move away from buildings, powerlines and trees. If you are driving, slow down smoothly and stop on the side of the road. Avoid stopping on or under bridges and overpasses, or under power lines, trees and large signs. Stay in your car.

My Opinion: I believe that Earthquake is different from any other disasters, such as Flood, volcano eruption, avalanche, fire blaze etc. Earthquake can be very dangerous, because even though they just come for a minutes earthquake can destroy everything. Earthquake can divide the land into 2 parts. That show, how strong a powerful of an earthquake. Many people dont have enough time to save themselves from their soul. So, in the end many people can be die. However in my opinion, actually most of those people who died during the earthquake, they died not because of the earthquake itself, but because they panic when the earthquake occurs, injuring themselves and even others. I personally think they injured while they were running, to get out from the building, when they go downstairs is the most dangerous, because while their running they can be fall down. An earthquake happens so fast that it endangers people who are inside a building. Often when there is an earthquake most people who are in danger mostly have some times to save themselves both in flood or fire blaze. But in earthquake, people do not have enough time to take action to save their soul since an earthquake may happen only in a minute. But the effect of an earthquake can be very devasting. So, I think when you are in a earthquake, you have to protect youself, avoid severe injury and always pray to God. Because all disasters occurring on earth is a test for all mankind who believe in God.