Earthquake Management Team

 
 

Facts About Earthquakes

    1.    Earthquakes are caused by the movement of large earth plates.
    2.    Plate techtonics is the recycling process (Uplifting, eroding,and sinking) of the earth's plates.
    3.    Faults are areas where the earth's plates come together.
    4.    The shaking produced by earthquakes is caused by seismic waves.
    5.    The Primary wave (P Wave) is the fastest seismic wave.
    6.    P Waves push and pull rocks.
    7.    P Waves cause the booming sounds heard during an earthquake.
    8.    The booming sounds are the results of P Waves being transmitted into the atmosphere as Sound Waves.
    9.    The Secondary Waves or Shear Waves (S Waves) are the slowest of the waves.
    10.    S Waves cannot travel through liquids.
    11.    S Waves shake the ground vertically and horizontally.
    12.    P and S Waves are Body Waves.
    13.    Body Waves are relected and change to different forms of Surface Waves.
    14.    The focus is the place in the eart's crust where the earthquake begins.
    15.    The epicenter is the area that experiences the earthquake.
    16.    Earthquakes are measured by the Richter Scale.
    17.    The higher the number on the Richter Scale, the more intense the earthquake is.
    18.    Small earthquakes occur frequently but are not felt by citizens.
    19.    A Seismograph is an instrument that detects earthquakes.
    20.    A Seismometer is the buried sensor of the seismograph.
    21.    Earthquakes are pinpointed by using a process known as Triangulation.
    22.    Earthquakes can cause a tsunami.
    23.    Earthquakes may cause fissures of cracks in the Earth's surface.
    24.    More damage is caused from earthquakes in larger cities.
    25.    Earthquakes can rupture gas, water, and sewage lines causing fires, flooding, and contamination of water supplies.
    26.    Every state in the United States in vulnerable to having an Earthquake.
    27.    Earthquakes usually last less than a minute.
    28.    Aftershocks can be felt after the initial earthquake.
    29.    It is not possible to predict when an earthquake will occur.
    30.    The highest recorded earthquake on the Richter Scale is 8.9.
    31.    Where an earthquake has occurred, an earthquake will occur again.
 

Facts About the South Carolina Earthquake

    1.    Occurred Tuesday, August 31, 1886 at 9:51PM Eastern Standard Time.
    2.    The magnitude was 7.3.
    3.    There were aftershocks for three years following the major quake.
    4.    This has been the most damaging earthquake in the Eastern United States.
    5.    There were 2 epicenters: 21 miles Southwest of Charleston, SC (Ravenel, SC) and 21 Northwest of Charleston, SC
            (Woodstock, a railway stop).
    6.    The quake was felt from Cuba to New York (2.5 million square miles).
    7.    Approximately 110 people died.
    8.    Damage was reported up to 200 miles away from the epicenters in large cities and towns.
    9.    People discovered that bolts used to reinforce homes during hurricanes could also be used to support homes damaged
            in the earthquake.
    10.    In 1886, the dollar damage was estimated to be $5.5 million.
 

Earthquake Safety Tips

    1.    Prepare for an earthquake just like you prepare for storms:
                    A.    Look for hazards in your home, workplace, and/or school.
                    B.    Secure all objects capable from falling during an earthquake.
                    C.    Put all breakables in fastened cabinets.
                    D.    Buy flashlights, batteries, and battery powered radios and televisions.
                    E.    Have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit available.
                    F.    Have several gallons of bottled water on hand.
                    G.    Have charcoal and/or propane in order to cook in case of loss of electricity.
                    H.    Have canned foods available.
                    I.    Have an Earthquake Family Plan outlining where to go in the house (Safe spots) as well as meeting places
                           after the quake.
                    J.    Have Earthquake Drills to practice the Family Earthquake Plan.

2.     During an Earthquake:
                    A.    Stay Calm!
                    B.    Follow the Earthquake Family Plan.
                    C.    Duck and Cover!
                    D.    Do not try to enter or leave any buildings.

3.    After an Earthquake:
                    A.    Check for injuries.
                    B.    Listen to the radio and/or television for important information.
                    C.    Do not drink the water until told that it is safe.
                    D.    Check your location for possible damage and safeness.
                    E.    Relocate if necessary.
                    F.    Call out-of-town friends and family to update them on your safety and location.

*Most of the above information was obtained from the Earthquake Education Center at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC.
 

Great Earthquake Links

                            National Earthquake Information Center

                           Seismology at the University of South Carolina

                           South Carolina Earthquakes in 1999

                           The World-Wide Earthquake Locator

                           Recent Earthquakes in California

                           Charleston Southern University's Earthquake Education Center

                           The Tech Museum's Earthquake Page

                           Earthquake Information from the US Geological Survey