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Showing posts from September, 2022

Earthquake - when the earth shakes

  Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon that cannot be predicted or avoided. However, there are precautionary measures that help to minimise their consequences and damages before, during and after their occurrence.  Earthquakes are quick earth tremors followed by aftershocks called “seismic waves” that are due to the breaking and shifting of rocks in the centre of the Earth as a result of geological effects leading to the movement of the tectonic plates. Earthquakes can occur as a result of volcanoes or the sliding of the Earth’s layers. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on a scale of 1 to 10 known as the Richter scale .  An earthquake with a magnitude of 1 to 4 is considered “small with little damage to people and property. A 4 to 6 magnitude earthquake is considered “average” with potential damage to houses and buildings.  “Big” earthquakes, on the other hand, are of a magnitude of 7 and over on the Richter scale and are capable of destroying entire cities ...