Natural Disasters : Earthquake

An earthquake is the violent shaking of the earth’s surface due to the release of energy by the breaking of rocks under the surface and these are tectonic in origin.

Natural Causes – Tectonic activities, volcanic eruption, rock fall, landslides, etc.
Man-made Causes – Mining, construction of dams.

Zones	Explanation
Seismic Zone I	Safe zone
Seismic Zone II	Areas with minor damage earthquakes corresponding to intensities V to VI of MM scale (MM-Modified Mercalli Intensity scale).
Seismic Zone III	Moderate damage corresponding to intensity VII of MM scale.
Seismic Zone IV	Major damage corresponds to intensity VII and higher on the MM scale.
Seismic Zone V	Earthquake zone V is the most vulnerable to earthquakes, where historically some of the country’s most powerful shocks have occurred. Earthquakes with magnitudes over 7.0 have occurred in these areas, and have had intensities higher than IX.

On Ground
- Fissures in the crust of the earth.
- Landslides.
- Disrupting population settlements, loss of lives and livelihoods and migration to safer areas.
- Loss of agricultural productivity.
On Manmade Structures
- Cracks on buildings, roads, and infrastructure.
- Collapse of residential buildings and loss of lives.
- Collapse of dams leading to floods.
- Collapse of railway, pipeline, and communication systems.
On Nature
- Trigger tsunami
- Trigger avalanche, landslides
- Change in the river courses.

Mitigation
- Establishment of seismological centers for regular monitors and fast dissemination of information.
- Preparing a vulnerability map of the country.
- National building codes and guidelines for the safer construction of buildings.
- Examination of soil type before construction.
- Avoiding the construction of buildings near river banks.
- Community education and awareness.
- Conducting mock drills.
- Use of traditional knowledge while constructing houses.
- Developing Early Earthquake Warning and Security and Systems.
Response
- Rapid dissemination of information concerning earthquakes.
- Evacuation of people from earthquake zones.
- Search and rescue of victims who may be trapped.
- Assess the impact of the disaster.
- Emergency relief and medical aid are to be provided.
- Strengthen logistics supply.
- Effective communication systems.
Recovery
- Repairing and restoring of the building.
- Undertaking measures to overcome earthquakes.
- Providing compensation to affected victims.
- Adopting measures to minimise the impact of earthquakes.