--- Earthquakes

Lesson at a Glance
• An earthquake is a sudden shaking movement of the earth's
surface (crust). An earthquake has a point of origin called the
epicentre. The intensity of the earthquake is felt most at the
epicentre. We measure the intensity of earthquake using the
Richter scale or the Modified Mercalli scale.
• The earth's crust is made of massive rocks which we call tectonic
plates. These plates float on a layer of semi-liquid mantle. When
plates collide which each other, pressure is released which causes
a fault. These phenomena cause earthquakes. Earthquakes do
not have any warning period and occur without notice. It damages
life and property usually in urban and semi-urban areas, where
the high-rise buildings may fall thus increasing the casualties.
• About 95% of the people killed in earthquakes are killed by falling
buildings. .•
• Earthquakes can result in other hazards also like landslides, floods,
fires and tsunamis.
• Some people are usually more at risk because of their location
or socio-economic condition.
• Flexible structures built on bedrock are more resistant to
earthquakes than rigid structures built on loose soil.
• The loss of life and property may be severe enough to cripple the
life of people for some time.
• The Himalayas, being the world's youngest fold mountain range,
are geologically very active and so earthquake-prone.
• We describe the proneness of regions to earthquakes using
seismic zones. Zone 5 areas are most prone (very high risk) and
Zone 1 the least prone. Delhi and Mumbai fall under Zone 4.233
of the 597 districts of India fall under the Zones 3, 4 and 5.
• The Richter scale measures the intensity of earthquakes whereas
the Mercalli Scale measures how damaging the earthquake is.
• During an earthquake, it is important to help survivors quickly. If
indoors, one should stay there. One should drop (bend down),
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EARTHQUAKES

cover (get down under something like a table), and hold (stay Q. 4. How would you prevent bleeding from a wound on the
there) till the shaking does not stop.
arm?
• One can ensure safety of buildings by retrofitting the existing Ans. To prevent bleeding from a wound, one should apply
buildings. It is done to strengthen buildings to make them disaster pressure with cotton and bandage.
resistant. We should use appropriate technology in the building Q. 5. Make posters to tell people what to do when there are
materials. New constructions should obey safety norms, like the tremors. Display them in prominent places in your village
Building Bye Laws. or area, if in zones 3-5.
• During the shaking, one should bend down and stay away from Ans. Attempt yourself with help from your teacher.
things that can fall. If not too far away, one should move to open Q. 6. Make an illustrated comic type information sheet on the
fields. If living in a high building, one should move against an DROP, COVER & HOLD routine for people or children
interior wall and protect the head with arms. Helmets can be used who cannot read and explain it to them
for protection. A lift should not be used. If one is driving during an Ans. Attempt yourself.
earthquake, it is advisable to pull over to the roadside, stop and Q. 7. What precautions should one take when one enters a
get out of the vehicle. Children, the elderly and disabled people building that has cracked or collapsed because of an
should be allowed to leave first anywhere. earthquake?
• After the tremors stop, there remains possibility of aftershocks, Ans. When one enters a building collapsed after an
about which the people should be aware. At relief centres, activity earthquake, one should keep away from walls, beware
kits, sewing kits, cleaning and utilities kits are required. of aftershocks and save survivors quickly.
Q. 8. Are there Ham Radio Operators in your village or area?
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED Find out more about Ham Radio.
Ans. Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby
Activities and a service in which participants, called "hams," use
Q. 1. What is a seismograph? Where is it usually kept in your various types of radio communications equipment to
city? If you live in a village, can you find out where the communicate with other radio amateurs for public
nearest seismograph is kept? service, recreation and self-training. Amateur radio
Ans. A seismograph is an instrument that records waves operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless
caused during an earthquake. It is usually kept at communications with each other and are able to
geological centres. support their communities with emergency and disaster
communications if necessary, while increasing their
Q. 2. What would you do if you find that some one is trapped
inside a building under the rubble and you can hear the personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An
estimated six million people throughout the world are
person, though you can't see him or her? Can youfind
out if your village or Gram Panchayat or Block/Taluka
regularly involved with amateur radio.
Q. 9. Draw a map of your village or area, locating your school,
has specialised search and rescue teams for disasters,
houses, ponds, tanks, etc., as well as open spaces and
if you live in a rural area? If you live in a city, do you
high-rise buildings. Mark an emergency evacuation route
know if such teams exist?
plan, for use in case of an earthquake. Take your plan
Ans. Attempt yourself with help from your teacher.
to your local DMT. Do they have a community contingency
Q. 3. How would you deal with a person who has lost
plan for your village or area? Take their help to locate
everything in an earthquake and is shocked? Find out
possible relief centres and cattle protection areas (if in
more about trauma counseling. Who can be a good a village). If your village or area does not have a DlVIT
counsellor?
yet, your teachers could help you with this exercise.
Ans, Attempt yourself with help from your teacher. Ans. Attempt yourself with the help of your teacher.
 SOCIAL SCIENCE-VIII
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Exercises
Q. #. Which earthquake vulnerability zones do you live in?
(Use the map)
Anl!i$. Students should see the map and decide their zone
according to the place they live in.
Q. 2!". What would you do if you were going home from school
and there was an earthquake?
AneJ. If an earthquake occurs while going home from school,
I shall run to open areas, away from buildings.
Q. ~. Where would you go if you were in the games.field and
there was an earthquake?
Ans1. While in a games field, I shall stay there in the event
of an earthquake.
Q. 4', What activities would you do with children who have
witnessed and experienced an earthquake when they
come to a relief camp or shelter?
Ans. Such children should be calmed down and first aid
should be provided to them.
Q. 5, List simple do's and don'ts in the event of tremors or an
earthquake.
Ans. Do's:
• Use the drop, cover and hold method to protect
yourself.
• Move to open areas if outdoors.
• Helmets can be used to protect the head.
Don'ts:
• Don't move near things that can fall and damage.
• Don't stay near buildings, trees, poles, etc.
Q. 6. How does preparedness help you and your community
when an earthquake occurs?
Ans. Being prepared beforehand is a very significant thing
in the event of a hazard. If people are prepared, the
damage done by the hazard can be minimised. People
can be ready to volunteer and save survivors. This
reduces the damage and number of casualties.

ODD
192 SOCIAL SCIENCE-VIII

Exercises
Q. 1. Which earthquake vulnerability zones do you live in?
(Use the map)
Ans. Students should see the map and decide their zone
according to the place they live in.
Q. 2. What would you do if you were going home from school
and there was an earthquake?
Ans. If an earthquake occurs while going home from school,
I shall run to open areas, away from buildings.
Q. 3. Where would you go if you were in the games field and
there was an earthquake?
Ans. While in a games field, I shall stay there in the event
of an earthquake.
Q. 4. What activities would you do with children who have
witnessed and experienced an earthquake when they
come to a relief camp or shelter?
Ans. Such children should be calmed down and first aid
should be provided to them.
Q. 5. List simple do's and don'ts in the event of tremors or an
earthquake.
Ans. Do's:
• Use the drop, cover and hold method to protect
yourself.
• Move to open areas if outdoors.
• Helmets can be used to protect the head.
Don'ts:
• Don't move near things that can fall and damage.
• Don't stay near buildings, trees, poles, etc.
Q. 6. How does preparedness help you and your community
when an earthquake occurs?
Ans. Being prepared beforehand is a very Significant thing
in the event of a hazard. If people are prepared: the
damage done by the hazard can be minimised. People
can be ready to volunteer and save survivors. This
reduces the damage and number of casualties.

ODD