News Blog on Natural Disasters
On 7 September 1999, Tuesday, a lethal earthquake, a magnitude of 5.9 measured on the Richter scale, struck near the capital of Greece, Athens, lasted for about 15 seconds at 2:56:50 pm local time. The epicentre of its location is 38.13N, 23.55E and a depth of 10 km.
The earthquake and its geological instability were caused by the active grinding of the Anatolian plate wedged against the continental plates of Africa, Eurasia and Arabia. When these large tectonic plates grind against the Anatolian plate, Asia Minor and Greece smash into each other in some parts while drawing away from other regions, creating an earthquake.
It caused 65 buildings to collapse, 143 people killed and 7 000 people injured.
The most severe damage takes place at the northwestern suburbs of Athens, located near the epicentre of the earthquake.
672 homes were destroyed while 2 217 homes needed repair, leading more than 70 000 homeless families.
In response to the earthquake, The National Emergency Operations Centre at the General Secretariat for Civil Protection and the Operations Centres of critical services conducted the following:
1. Establish critical communication links and inform the public
2. Search and rescue of trapped victims
3. First aid and medical care
4. Safety inspection of critical facilities and public buildings
5. Traffic control
8. Distribution of necessities
As earthquakes are unpredictable and violent, we can spot potential hazards earlier and do advance planning to reduce the number of casualties. Repairing deep cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lightings to the ceiling and routine maintenance to reduce the impact of earthquakes. After an earthquake, listen to a radio or television for the latest emergency information.
Use strong and better-quality materials to build buildings. When there is another incoming earthquake or natural disaster happening, buildings will not collapse easily. Stay alert and observant so when another wave of natural destruction occur, escape in the right direction.
Bibliography
P. Dimitriu, C. Karakostas and V. Lekidis,
http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/RMS/july2000/Papers/dimitriu2807.pdf, Date of extraction Not stated
Dr. George Pararas-Carayannis,
http://www.drgeorgepc.com/Earthquake1999Greece.html, Date of extraction Not stated
Author Unknown,
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm, extracted 04-06 -2009
Author Unknown,
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_after.shtm, extracted 04-06 -2009
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