Natural hazards present the greatest threat to the residents of North Carolina. Over the past twelve years, there have been a significant number of earthquakes recorded in the southeastern United States. In 1987 alone there were over 71 recorded earthquakes, the largest being an earthquake registering 4.2 on the Richter scale occurring on the North Carolina/Tennessee border.

Earthquakes are the stuff from which legends and myths are made. The violent shaking has been explained by the Japanese as the thrashing of a giant catfish while the Hindu describe the cause of earthquakes as movement by one or more of the elephants who hold up the earth. In any event, throughout the years earthquakes have caused great damage and loss of life to those who were not prepared to live through and survive an earthquake.

 

 

North Carolina is affected by both the New Madrid fault in Missouri and the Charleston fault in South Carolina. Both of these faults have generated earthquakes measuring greater than 8 on the Richter scale during the last two hundred years.

An earthquake is the violent shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the individual plates moving against each other. These plates make up the outermost shell of the Earth's crust and move relative to each other and to the Earth's interior. The intensity of an earthquake is measured by the Richter scale where a earthquake of a magnitude of 2.5 represents a mild tremor and little to no damage while an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.0 or greater represents a major tremor where changes to the Earth's surface occur and vast damage is expected.

Approximately two-thirds of North Carolina is subject to earthquakes with the western and southeast region most vulnerable to a very damaging earthquake. The most notable earthquake in the Carolinas was the Charleston quake of 1886 which was felt over 1000 miles away in Illinois. This earthquake caused considerable damage in both Charlotte and Raleigh.

The most important thing to remember is not to panic during an earthquake. As the earthquake begins, you might experience a shaking that begins gently but within seconds grows violent and knocks you off your feet. In some cases you might first be jarred by a violent jolt, similar to a sonic boom. Initially you will first hear a low rumbling noise followed by the shaking.

In any event you should not fear an earthquake. Be prepared and know what to do when the shaking starts. Understand the danger signs following the earthquake which represent potential hazards. By planning in advance we can all survive the quake.

PRIOR PLANNING

Earthquakes can be a frightening experience. However, while you cannot accurately predict an earthquake before it happens, by preparing in advance North Carolinian families can survive the quake without danger. Prior planning and practicing on what to do before the quake will make you and your family react correctly when the first shaking begins. Most casualties result from falling objects and debris. Shocks can shake, damage, or even demolish buildings. Since most earthquake injuries occur through the collapse of buildings, flying glass, falling furniture, fires from ruptured gas lines, electrical systems, broken chimneys, or drastic human actions resulting from fear, it is important to prepare yourself and your family in order to survive the quake.

Organize family earthquake drills. Learn what to do and where to go for protection during an earthquake. After the earthquake, understand danger signs that could pose threats to the safety of your family.

FAMILY EARTHQUAKE DRILLS

1. Identify safe spots in each room
2. Beware of danger zones
3. Practice quick and safe actions
4. Discuss what to expect following a damaging earthquake
5. Be prepared to sustain your family for a minimum of 72 hours

HAZARD HUNT

An earthquake home hazard hunt should begin with all the family members taking part. Foresight, imagination, and common sense are all that is needed as you go from room to room, imagining what would happen if the earth and house started shaking. Anything that can move, break, or fall when your house starts to shake is a potential hazard.

1. Look at floor-to-ceiling bookcases and furniture and understand where they might fall. Make sure you stay away from these objects when the shaking starts.
2. Prevent heavy appliances from moving by blocking rollers.
3. Increase support to air conditioners, especially on rooftops.
4. Anchor heavy mirrors and pictures over beds, chairs, and couches. Locate beds away from windows.
5. Use flexible connectors where gas lines meet appliances.

Always keep emergency supplies available. Whether the disaster is an earthquake, hurricane, tornado or flood, each family should maintain and keep on hand basic emergency supplies. A disaster can strike at any time, and the best thing is to be prepared. These supplies should be checked periodically to ensure they are capable of being used.

A LIST FOR SUGGESTED SUPPLIES IS:

• Portable radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Water (two quarts per person and dried and canned food
• (2 weeks' supply per person)
• 2 weeks' supply of medications
• First aid kit and handbook
• Pipe and crescent wrenches
• Soap, toilet paper
• Smoke detectors, fire extinguisher
• Extra clothing, blankets and sleeping bags
• Personal items (including valid ID)
• Large piece of plastic, used for ground cover

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE...STAY COOL!

DUCK...COVER...HOLD

Whether at home, school, work, outside, or inside a high-rise building, you need to know how to protect yourself during an earthquake.

When the shaking first starts...DUCK or drop to the floor.

 

Take COVER under a sturdy desk, table, or other furniture. If there is nothing available to take cover under, crouch against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. STAY AWAY FROM DANGER SPOTS NEAR WINDOWS, HANGING OBJECTS, MIRRORS, OR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT FALL OVER.

 

If seeking cover under a piece of furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared to move with it during the quake.

 

SPECIAL RISK AREAS

HIGH-RISE BUILDING...

Stay near an interior wall. Do not use the elevators.

OUTDOORS...

Move to a clear area, away from trees, signs, buildings, or downed electrical wires and poles.

WALKING ALONG THE STREET...

Duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster and other debris.

IN YOUR CAR...

Pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines, and other hazards. STAY INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SHAKING IS OVER.

IN A CROWDED STORE OR OTHER PUBLIC PLACE...

Do not rush for the exits. DO NOT PANIC. Move away from anything that might fall.

IN THE KITCHEN...

Move away from the refrigerator, stove, and overhead cupboards.

IN A STADIUM OR THEATER...

Stay in your seat and protect your head with your arms. DO NOT try and leave until the shaking is over.

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

Remember, while an earthquake might only last a few seconds, there are often after-shocks that could be as strong as the earthquake occurring for days after the initial shaking.

• Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move a seriously injured person unless he or she is in immediate danger of further injury.
• Do not enter partially collapsed or damaged buildings.
• Avoid electrical wiring, indoors and out. Shut off electrical power at the control box if there is any damage to your house wiring.
• Check home for fire or fire hazards.
• Turn off main gas valve if leak is suspected. Call gas company to restore service. REMEMBER: Unlike hurricanes, and tornadoes, an earthquake can disrupt gas pipelines underground allowing gas to escape and collect in various areas.
• Check to make sure water and sewage lines are intact before using sanitary facilities
• Use the telephone only for emergencies.
• Check with your neighbors to see if they need assistance.
• Be prepared for aftershocks. Although most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may be large enough to cause additional damage or bring weakened structures down.
• Cooperate with all public safety officials.
• Check your home for signs of structural damage.

IF YOU MUST EVACUATE

• Post a message in clear view where you can be found.
• List reunion points in case of family separation. Such points may be the home of neighbors, friends, or relatives, a school or community center.
• Take medicine and first aid kit, flashlight, radio and batteries; important papers and cash; food, sleeping bags, blankets, extra clothes and other important supplies.

 

 

HOW BIG WAS THAT QUAKE?

Richter	Mercalli	Description
2	I	Not felt or rarely felt under favorable circumstances. Sometimes under certain conditions. trees, structures, liquids, and bodies of water sway; dizziness or nausea may be experienced; doors swing very slowly; birds and animals are uneasy or disturbed.
	II	Felt indoors by a few persons, especially on upper floors, or by sensitive or nervous persons. Sometimes hanging objects swing; trees, structures, liquids, and bodies of water sway; dizziness or nausea may be experienced; doors swing very slowly.
3	III	Felt indoors by a number of people. Motion is usually a rapid vibration, and sometimes vibrations are not at first recognized as an earthquake; movement is significant on upper levels of tall buildings; standing vehicles rock slightly; hanging object swing.
	IV	Felt indoors by many and outdoors by a few. A few people awaken, especially light sleepers; vibrations feel like those of a heavy truck passing by: dishes, windows and doors rattle; walls and frames of structures creak; liquids in open vessels are slightly disturbed; standing vehicles rock noticeably.
4	V	Felt indoors and outdoors by most people. Outdoors, the direction of the earthquake could be estimated. Buildings tremble; dishes and glassware break; small or unstable objects overturn and may fall; ors and shutters open or close abruptly; small object move and furnishings move slightly; liquids in well-fitted open containers spill slightly.
5	VI	Felt by all people indoors and outdoors. People move unsteadily; some plaster cracks, and fine cracks appear in chimneys; dishes, glassware, and windows break; knickknacks, books, and pictures fall: some furniture overturns; moderately heavy furniture moves.
	VII	All people are frightened and run outdoors, general alarm. Many people find it difficult to stand; water is stirred and muddled; some sand and gravel stream banks cave in; chimneys crack considerably, and walls crack somewhat; plaster and stucco fall in considerable amounts; loosened bricks and tiles fall.
	VII	People are generally frightened, with alarm approaching panic. Persons driving vehicles are disturbed; trees shake strongly and branches break off; sand and mud are ejected from the earth in small amounts; temporary and permanent changes occur in springs and wells; ground becomes wet to some extent, even on steep slopes; chimney, columns, monuments, and towers fall.
	IX	General panic. Ground cracks conspicuously; masonry structures are thrown out of plumb; large parts of well-built masonry buildings collapse; some buildings shift off of foundations, and frames crack; reservoirs are seriously damaged; some underground pipes break.
7	X	Ground cracks at widths up to several inches. Parallel to canals and stream banks, fissures form up to a yard wide. Numerous landslides occur on river banks and steep coasts; dams, dikes, and embankments are seriously damaged; most masonry and frame structures are destroyed; buried pipelines are torn apart or crushed; cracks and broad, wavy folds open in concrete pavement and asphalt road surfaces.
8	XI	Disturbances in the ground are many and widespread varying with ground materials. Broad fissures, landslides, and liquefaction; water, sand and mud are ejected from the earth in large amounts; dams, dikes and embankments are greatly damaged; few masonry structures remain standing; large, well built bridges are destroyed; railroad rails are greatly bent and thrust endwise.
	XII	Damage is total, and nearly all works of construction are greatly damaged or destroyed. Landslides, and numerous shearing cracks appear; large rock masses are wrenched loose and torn off; lakes are dammed, waterfalls form and rivers are deflected; waves are seen on ground surfaces. lines of sight and level are distorted. objects are thrown upward into the air.

Earthquakes are commonly measured by their magnitude and intensity. Magnitude is the measure of total energy released while intensity is the resulting degree of damage by an earthquake. The Richter scale measures magnitude while Mercalli measures intensity.