Earthquakes happen more often than we think and feel. To the average person who is not interested in this topic, this may sound strange, but it is a fact. Almost every day, somewhere in the world, there are ones that are recorded by various professional institutes. Some we feel them, some we don't, but their registration proves that it is happening.
When the earth's surface shakes, due to the displacement of part of the earth's crust and the sudden release of a large amount of energy, an earthquake occurs. It occurs as a result of accumulated stress and strain in the earth's crust and can be so strong that it can destroy entire cities. Tsunamis, landslides and volcanic eruptions can also be triggered by strong earthquakes. Strong ones are always accompanied by multiple aftershocks in the same place, and their number and intensity decrease over time.
The magnitude of an earthquake is a qualitative characteristic that indicates the nature and extent of an earthquake's impact on the ground surface, people, animals, and natural and man-made structures in the area of the earthquake. Several intensity scales are used around the world: in Europe, the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS), in Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency (Shindo) scale, in the USA and Russia, the Modified Mercalli (MM) scale:
Grade 1 - imperceptible - noted only by special devices;
2nd degree - very faint - felt only by very sensitive pets and by people on upper floors of tall buildings;
Grade 3 - faint - felt only inside some buildings;
4th degree - moderate - felt by many people;
5th degree - noticeably strong - shaking of hanging objects, noises in building structure, breaking of windows;
6th degree - strong - slight damage to building structure, cracks in plaster;
Grade 7 - very severe - significant damage to buildings, cracks in plaster and detachment of individual pieces, thin cracks in walls and cracks in foundations;
Grade 8 - destructive - large cracks in walls;
9th degree - devastating - collapses of some buildings, falling walls, roofs and partitions;
10th degree - destructive - collapse of many buildings, serious damage in others;
11th degree - catastrophic - mass destruction of buildings. Numerous cracks on the ground surface;
12th degree - total - complete destruction of structures and buildings. Large-scale changes of relief.
Consequences can be far-reaching and long-lasting. They can affect various aspects of society, including human casualties, material damage, economic impact and psychological effects. Some of the main consequences are:
1. Mortality and injuries - One of the most devastating impacts of an earthquake is the loss of life. Buildings can collapse and trap people under the rubble. The number of deaths can vary greatly depending on the magnitude of the earthquake and the population density in the affected area. In addition, many people may sustain injuries that range from minor scrapes and bruises to severe fractures and disabilities.
2. Material Damage - Earthquakes can cause significant damage to urban infrastructure - residential buildings, commercial establishments, roads, bridges, and much more. In some cases, entire neighborhoods or cities can be leveled. This not only results in immediate repair and rebuilding costs, but can have long-term implications for transportation accessibility, housing availability, and business operations.
3. Economic Impact - The financial costs associated with earthquakes can be enormous. Beyond the immediate costs of rescue operations, emergency relief, and initial recovery, long-term economic impacts can include reduced productivity, supply chain disruptions, and more. In developing countries, these costs can be even more severe as resources to deal with the situation may be scarce.
4. Ecological damage - although not usually considered a direct consequence of the earthquake itself, landscape changes and ecosystem disruption can occur as a result of earthquakes. For example - landslides can be triggered by earthquakes resulting in habitat loss and damage to wildlife. In addition, the release of toxic materials from industrial facilities can contaminate soil and water.
5. Psychological effects - earthquakes can have a profound impact on people's mental health. Stress and trauma can lead to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. On our blog you can also read How to help injured people with psychological support
6. Social impact - earthquakes can disrupt social structures, leaving people without access to basic needs such as food, water and medical care.
7. Cultural impact - earthquakes can affect cultural heritage because historic buildings and works of art can be damaged or destroyed.
Although there are people who have experienced more than one and two earthquakes, no one is prepared for them. When the inevitable happens and our emotions let up, we need to know what to do. And after the emotions, it is the turn of reason.
After an earthquake, it's critical to stay calm and take the necessary steps to ensure our safety and support recovery efforts. Above all, we need to check ourselves and others to make sure everyone is safe. Then we can assess the damage to the home or building and stay away from damaged areas. It is most important to remain calm, although it is only natural to feel stress or disorientation after such an event. As mentioned, our emotions run high first and only after that is it the turn of reason. Last but not least in importance is to offer help to those in need who are around us, especially the elderly or disabled.
We all know that response time is essential. By following these basic and valid steps, we can increase our chances of safety and help others recover faster from what has happened. Getting advice and instructions provided by local authorities will further help us.
There are several options for dealing with the aftermath of the earthquakes. The first is to seek help from the state. Each state allocates funds to help the victims. The state itself determines what the amount should be. The second option is to seek compensation from an insurer, but this only applies if the property is insured. The third, which has great effectiveness, is by starting a charity campaign. Start your campaign quickly and easily. Most often, these types of campaigns are created on specialized fundraising platforms like PavelAndreev.ORG.
This online platform provides an opportunity to start an online campaign through so-called crowdfunding - a method of raising funds from known and unknown people (donors). The whole process of starting an online campaign is extremely easy and convenient. It starts with clicking the "Start Campaign" button. All that needs to be done is to fill in the mandatory information and follow the steps and instructions that are described. Once you're done, the campaign will be sent to a platform administrator for review. If anything needs to be clarified, an expert from the platform team will contact you. When the campaign is approved by an administrator, it is successfully launched. It is advisable to keep donors informed by posting campaign updates. Practice shows that this can increase donations.
The PavelAndreev.ORGplatform is owned by the Pavel Andreev Foundation, which has a long history and has established itself as the link between victims and good people. Among the main advantages of PavelAndreev.BG are its accessibility, flexibility, active audience of donors and well-established image. Anyone in need can set up a fundraising campaign and gain access to a large network of potential donors. The platform fosters a sense of community and collective action. Campaigns can attract support from a wide range of people committed to the cause, leading to increased visibility and support for it. Opportunities to share the campaign on various social networks further increases the chances of raising all the necessary funds. Start a campaign on PavelAndreev.ORG and let the community support it.
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