Concept in Definition ABC

The concept of earthquake is one of the most common synonyms for the word earthquake. It is a natural phenomenon that consists of a tremor of the Earth crust and that it is caused by its internal displacements, and that it is transmitted over long distances in Format of waves.

We can describe the earthquake as a phenomenon that occurs from the movement of the terrestrial plates and that produces damages of diverse intensity to the spaces inhabited by the human being since they always imply certain material destruction and dangers to life.

The name of earthquake comes from the idea that the movement that produces it is through seismic waves

When the tectonic plates, those in which the continents are located and that have an incredible power of force, move, the earth's surface is altered, generating earthquakes. This is also visible in aquatic spaces, in which case we speak of tidal waves or tsunamis.

Seismograph: observe, measure and record earthquakes

The human being has managed to establish a system of

observation of the seismic movements used by the seismograph. This device has given two types of scales: the Richter scale, which reaches level 7 and measures the magnitude of the earthquake, and the Mercalli scale, which measures the intensity of the earthquake. These scales allow us to know that tectonic movements or earthquakes are produced permanently on the surface but most of them are imperceptible. Abrupt and violent earthquakes are the ones that cause the most damage since they not only cause cracks in the ground, but they can also generate landslides and other serious natural phenomena.

Seismographs work from sensors that allow us to perceive the movements that occur on the earth. These sensors are known as seismometers and are directly connected to a recording system that reports on the various oscillations or tremors, if any.

These tremors can be more or less mild, but the seismograph records them with their oscillations. A punch is in charge of recording the aforementioned variations on a piece of paper.

It is easy to read them since if there are no movements that punch will describe a straight line, while if there are vibrations the lines that the aforementioned punch is describing are making irregular lines, down and towards above.

Types of seismographs

We can find three types of seismographs: mechanical (they work by the principle of pendulum motion and are quite basic), electromagnetic (they have a magnet and if a movement occurs they immediately detect it generating a electric current proportional to that movement detected), broadband (they have powerful sensors to detect the velocity of the internal movements of the earth's crust).

Now, we must say that seismographs are very useful when measuring and evaluating earthquakes, but not to provide an anticipation of them.

Highly destructive phenomena with diverse origins

Obviously, the most affected by the different types of earthquakes has always been the human being. This has to do with the idea that human society can lose everything in an instant: from villages even large cities have been destroyed by different earthquakes that knock down almost any building created by man.

Earthquakes can vary in terms of origin or cause. While some are caused by left-to-right movements of the plates, others can be caused by ups and downs on the affected surfaces, in which case the destruction may be visibly higher. The areas of the planet that are most easily affected by earthquakes are those in which two or more tectonic plates are joined: the entire west of the American continent, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Caribbean.

Although, as we have already pointed out, sometimes it is certainly impossible to go against the natural virulence of these phenomena and avoid the enormous damage materials and human victims that they are capable of producing, it is also a fact that man has advanced a lot not only in the development of devices that allow to anticipate them, but he has also done so in the generation of anti-seismic constructions, which are capable of enormously resisting the attacks of these violent tremors

Precisely in those parts of the world where there is a great propensity for its development, the infrastructure takes this situation into account and then the buildings are prepared to contain them and reduce their impact.

How to act in the face of an event of this nature

Generally, an earthquake produces an emotional alarm because it is an event that transcends one's personal will. However, as much as possible, it is advisable to try to breathe deeply and stay calm. If you are inside the house or building, it is important that you stay there since many of the possible accidents occur in the process of wanting to go outside. It is also essential to avoid the use of the elevator.

Find a safe place in the building. For example, you can stand under a sturdy table. On the contrary, it is very important to avoid the window area.

If you are driving with your car during the earthquake, it is recommended that you slow down to be able to visualize a safe place to park and be inside the car until everything happens. On the contrary, if you are walking down the street it is recommended that you choose a clear place to be. A place free of trees or lampposts that could fall.

Faced with the uncertainty of what to do next

Check the condition of the house because there may have been some kind of fracture in one of the walls. Although everything is apparently in perfect order, keep in mind that it is very possible that everything inside the cabinets has been disordered as a result of the movement.

It is very important that you close the gas taps at home to avoid possible leaks. If you can avoid it, do not call on the phone because it is very possible that the lines are collapsed. You can find out what happened through the radio.

Issues in Earthquake