You cant stop an earthquake but you can always lessen the hazards of the quake. Many earthquake prone countries already take earthquake measurements and drills to protect themselves from earthquakes.
Proofed Earthquake Building Material
Materials such as glass, bricks and concrete are very bad materials in earthquakes. These types of materials are very weak when forces such as pulling and pushing are applied to them. When building with these materials, steel rods should be added to them to add strength to the building.
Materials such as glass, bricks and concrete are very bad materials in earthquakes. These types of materials are very weak when forces such as pulling and pushing are applied to them. When building with these materials, steel rods should be added to them to add strength to the building.
Earthquake "Proof" Buildings
Buildings can never be made earthquake proof but some measures could be taken to protect it from certain types of earthquakes. The Te Papa building in New Zealand is a great example, to stabilise the building site, 30-tonne weights were dropped on the ground 50,000 times. Shock absorbers made of rubber and lead let the building move in earthquakes – up to half a metre in any direction. Te Papa is built on 135 base isolators. Base isolators reduce the severity of the shaking felt inside the building in the event of a major earthquake and protect the people and items inside. They also absorb much of the seismic waves from the quake.
In a major earthquake, Te Papa would be among the safer places in Wellington, New Zealand.
Buildings can never be made earthquake proof but some measures could be taken to protect it from certain types of earthquakes. The Te Papa building in New Zealand is a great example, to stabilise the building site, 30-tonne weights were dropped on the ground 50,000 times. Shock absorbers made of rubber and lead let the building move in earthquakes – up to half a metre in any direction. Te Papa is built on 135 base isolators. Base isolators reduce the severity of the shaking felt inside the building in the event of a major earthquake and protect the people and items inside. They also absorb much of the seismic waves from the quake.
In a major earthquake, Te Papa would be among the safer places in Wellington, New Zealand.
- In a one in 250-year earthquake, the building would be unharmed.
- In a one in 500-year earthquake, the building would need repairs.
- In a one in 2000-year quake (‘the big one’), the people and collections inside Te Papa would be safe. However, the building might have to be demolished.
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Earthquake Drills
In Countries such as Japan, schools and commercial buildings organise earthquake drills frequently to teach members what to do during an earthquake. Students and workers are told to follow the above steps whenever an earthquake strikes to ensure safety. When members cover themselves, they are less affected by falling walls and debris.
Considering after shocks cause more damage than the earthquake itself, we should always take precautions and make machines and tubes that are quake proof. Gas pipes should be made out of a tough plastic to ensure that its safe during earthquakes. Gas regulators should be attached to every pipe to ensure the close down of gas during an earthquake, if there is no gas, there is no fire! This precaution could save us from a lot of trouble during an earthquake. Water pipes should also be take care of because water is a very useful resource in both, our lives and fire fighting. Fire fighters should keep earthquake proof tanks to ensure no damage is done to fire fighting equipment.
Areas vulnerable from land slides should have Gabion walls built. Gabions not only protect you from landslides, but they also protect you from various other problem. Head over to this link to find out what things Gabions can do!