 EXAMPLE: http://www.openhazards.com/about Open Hazards is a group of scientists, technologists, and business people dedicated to the proposition that, through advances in forecasting and sensor technology, as well as an open, web-based approach to public information availability and sharing, we can enable a more sustainable human society in the face of severe, recurring natural disasters. The objective of this web site is to inform and educate the public worldwide. We provide a free, open, and independent assessment of hazard and risk due to major earthquakes, using a self-consistent, global, validated methodology. The information displayed on our web site is based on the best available science and technology as determined by the professional, peer-reviewed literature, as well as our own judgments, informed by many years of professional practice at the highest levels of academia and government. Our forecasts and risk estimates allow members of the public world-wide to understand and address, for the first time, their space- and time-dependent risk from major damaging earthquakes. Recent trends and rising costs for coping with natural catastrophes lead to the conclusion that the public will bear an increasingly larger role, and will absorb an increasingly larger share of the costs for great natural disasters. These conclusions were reinforced by the aftermath(s) of Hurricane Katrina (2005); the great Magnitude 9.3 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004; the recent tsunami of September 30, 2009 at American Somoa following a Magnitude 8.0 earthquake; and US mainland earthquakes such as the January 17, 1994 Magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake, and the October 17, 1989 Magnitude 7.0 Loma Prieta earthquakes. Our goal is to provide members of the public with the information and tools to make informed judgments about the general nature and magnitude of the risks that they face. Together with modern social networking tools, we enable members of the public to build self-organized, disaster-resilient communities .... http://www.openhazards.com/tips Remember that the four stages of coping with natural disasters are comprised of: Anticipation -- Forecasting and planning for disaster After an earthquake, particularly a major damaging earthquake, check for any gas leaks or electrical damage. If you smell or hear gas, turn off the gas at the meter and contact the gas company. If you see sparks, frayed wire, or smell hot insulation turn off the power at the circuit breaker box and contact the electric company. Earthquakes don't always occur when it is convenient or when we are with our families and loved ones. Be sure to have an emergency plan for such an event and make sure that everyone understands it. Consider having a contact out of the area who can coordinate information for the entire family. Think about how you arrange your furniture and heavy objects. Put heavy objects closer to the ground and bolt bookcases to the wall. Bookcases or objects can cause injury when they fall and they may block exit pathways after an earthquake. Make sure the water heater in your home or apartment is secured to the wall near it. One method is to use a metal strap around the water heater, with the strapping ends screwed to the wall. When the shaking starts: If you are inside, stay inside and try to get under a table or into a closet or doorway, or other small, confined, rigid space. Following the earthquake, if you are indoors, move outside when you determine it to be safe. Check for gas leaks and be sensitive to the possibility of fire following the earthquake, a common circumstance. If you are near the ocean, or especially near the beach, be watchful for the possibility of a tsunami (in these cases, observers would see the water recede far from the normal shoreline, exposing a significant amount of sea bottom, prior to the wave building and rapidly moving landward). If possible, go to higher ground farther inland as rapidly as possible. When the shaking subsides, check yourself and others for injuries. If significant damage has occurred, make sure that no one is buried under rubble or debris. Listen for cries of help. If telephones (landlines or cell phones) are still operating, use them for emergency medical help, but not for frivolous conversations. If you have an operating radio, television, or internet connection, listen for information and instructions from emergency responders as to next actions. These may include coming to the aid of other injured persons in your area, or requests for help in delivering specific emergency services. Source: http://www.openhazards.com/ |
Monday, December 7, 2009
OpenHazards.com | Custom Earthquake Forecast - Create your own customized forecast for M>5 earthquakes in three easy steps.
