• When an Earthquake strikes it is EXTREMELY Important to remain calm, DO NOT PANIC

• DO NOT attempt to evacuate until you receive instructions from your Evacuation Team 

• DO NOT dash for exits , since stairways may be broken and jammed with people (If you are living in a multi-storyed building).

• NEVER USE the elevator (Lift) since power may fail - If already in an elevator (Lift), STOP , at the nearest floor and take cover against core wall.

First things to do:

• Take cover (kneel down and cover head with arms) under a heavy desk, table, bench, or with buttocks and lower back against inside walls or doorframes. If the desk, table etc., moves be sure to move with it.

• Stay away from glass windows, mirrors, and skylights, shelves, furniture or objects that may fall over, heavy objects such as refrigerators, machinery that may topple or slide across the floor.

• Remain in the same position for a few minutes... due to after shocks

• Don't use candles, matches or other open flames or turn your lights on or off, either during or after the tremor because of possible gas leaks.

• DO NOT run outdoors. Falling debris or electrical wires might hit you.

During the Earthquake:

• Remain inside the building

• Seek IMMEDIATE shelter under a heavy desk or table, or brace yourself inside a door frame or against an inside wall

• Get at least 14 feet away from windows

• Stay there. If shaking causes the desk or table to move, be sure to move with it

• Resist the urge to panic. Organize your thoughts; mentally review the established psychological considerations for earthquake safety (Go for Trauma Management)

• DON'T be surprised if the electricity goes out; Expect to hear noise from broken glass, creaking walls and falling objects.

Immediately after the Earthquake action:

• Remain in the same position for several minutes after the earthquake in case of after shock

• DO NOT attempt to evacuate or leave your immediate area unless absolutely necessary or when instructed to do so by a proper authority.

• Follow instructions of your Evacuation Team

• Help anyone who is injured. Check for injuries and seek medical help for those who need it. DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

• Use stairway when instructed to exit the building

• Check water, electric lines and gas (if applicable). If damaged, SHUT OFF lines at mains.

• If gas leakage is detected, open windows and leave your office building and report to appropriate authorities (Call Ph no. 100)

• Check for fires. Fire Control Team to take action immediately to put out fires, if they can. Emergency Procedure Plan on Fire to be applied (If such plan is already there).

• Try to get back to Business as usual if minor or no damages occurred. Being in right frame of mind is very crucial, the best way to get back to go to your work.

Response to an Earthquake:

• Articles required for relief phase : Torches with dry Batter cells, ropes, buckets, small pots and plates to take readymade food, tarpaulin and plastic sheets for temporary shelter, bamboo, fuel, wood, metal and plastic containers to store water and grains lantern, kerosene, metal trunks to store goods, locks, soap, blankets.

• Perishable food items to be sent only if proper distribution arrangements are at hand. Raw milk is risky. Food that does not require a container is a priority. Roti is preferred over bread.

• While providing clothing, the local and practical needs of a women and young girls need to be specially kept in mind. These are :
  * Sarees without blouses and petticoats are of no use. Hence, petticoats and readymade blouses and knickers and undergarments of various sizes are required.
  * Readymade Salwar and Kameez for young girls
  * Culturally acceptable clothing is usually preferred.

• Specific food and clothing as well as metal cradles for infants. Milk powders instant cereals are difficult to process.

• Glasses particularly with short sight (after 40) lenses, should be part of secondary aid material.

• Medicines should be sorted out and classified in different categories, pain killers, anti bacterial, anti fungus, antiseptic, anti-epidemic medicines need to be given priority over tonic and vitamin supplements.

• Special needs of pregnant, newly operated and newly delivered women to be attended. Sanitary napkins or similar utility for women is a dire necessity.

• Medicines on hypertension, antidepressants and diabetics to be specially marked and provided.

• Footwear is an important necessity, however chappals, slippers, sandals preferred over shoes and high feel fancy items.

General Precautions:

• Crowding, congestion and unnecessary visits to affected area to be avoided

• Door to door distribution of goods should be preferred over general assemblage of people or making them queue up.

• Specific attention to be provided to ensure disabled, mentally and physically handicapped, deaf, mute, blind, night-blind persons and women get the relief articles.

• Information on hospitalized patients to be provided to their families and vice versa. Transportation to be arranged.

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The Earthquake Home Preparedness Guide:

Based on our experience, the projects in this guide are extremely cost-effective and practical. In past earthquakes, we have observed that if these projects had been completed before the earthquake, much of the damage to the home would have been eliminated. Go to http://www.eqe.com/publications/homeprep/

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A Child's View of Earthquake Facts and Feelings:

Large earthquakes are a source of stress to all of us who live through them and children are no exception – but to the children of Paula Rao's 2nd and 3rd grade class in Pasadena, California, the Northridge earthquake of January 17, 1994 was the source of more than stress – it was a real-life example of our most recent school project. Go to 

http://www-socal.wr.usgs.gov/ABC/ 

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Reconnaissance of the Chamoli Earthquake:

The Chamoli, India, Earthquake of March 29, 1999. The Chamoli earthquake in northern India is an important event from the viewpoint of Himalayan seismotectonics and seismic resistance of nonengineered construction. The earthquake hit in a part of the Central Himalaya that is highly prone to earthquakes and has been placed in the highest seismic zone (zone V) of India. (There has been controversy during recent years regarding the seismic safety of a 260 m-high rock-fill dam under construction at Tehri, about 80 km west of the epicenter.) Fortunately, there are no major cities in the meizoseismal region, and the population density is the second lowest in the state. Go to http://www.eeri.org/earthquakes/Reconn/Chamoli99/Chamoli032999.html 

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Reconnaissance of the Tehuacan Earthquake in Mexico:

The June 15th Tehuacan earthquake was reported by the Mexico National Seismological Service (SSN) to have occurred at 20:42:05 h GMT (15:42:05 local time). The epicenter was located approximately 20 km SW of Tehuacan and 55 km NE of Huajuapan de Leon in the state of Oaxaca. The earthquake caused damage in villages near the epicentral region, and in larger cities in the state of Puebla: Tehuacan, Cholula, Atlixco, and Puebla, the capital. Go to http://www.eeri.org/earthquakes/Reconn/Mexico061599/Mexico1.html 

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Reconnaissance of the Jabalpur Earthquake in 1997:

Some Observations on Engineering Aspects of the Jabalpur Earthquake of 22 May 1997. The Jabalpur earthquake of May 22, 1997, in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India, is an important event for India from the point of view of seismic preparedness and expertise in repair of seismically damaged structures. This is the first time that an M6 earthquake has occurred this close to a major city in India, Jabalpur having a population of about 1.2 million people. This means that for the first time, it was possible to observe the seismic response of modern Indian building types which are prevalent all over the country and are unique to India. Go to 

http://www.eeri.org/earthquakes/Reconn/Jabalpur/Jabalpur1.html 

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Provides information on design of the built environment and its effect on earthquakes:

This web site is aimed at teaching from basics, the theory behind earthquakes, vibrations and how buildings are designed to withstand them. The pages are generally written to be understood by 12+ year olds but the more technical pages containing more difficult concepts are aimed at undergraduates. Go to http://www.cen.bris.ac.uk/students/eqteach97/welcome.htm

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California State Univ. - Northridge Earthquake Engineering Research:

The site present research papers related to Earthquake Engineering, Wind and Terrorist Blast Protection, which are presented in a brief and visual format. Go to http://www.ecs.csun.edu/~shustov/Hot_Topics.htm

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UC Berkley Seismological Laboratory:

Where can I find information on earthquake preparedness and safety? These links offer a variety of useful information on how to prepare your family and your home for a damaging earthquake. We are offering here an information center for emergency preparedness in the event of earthquake. Go to http://www.seismo.berkeley.edu/seismo/resource/preparedness.html

Canadian National Earthquake Hazards Program:

Teaching tools on understanding what is earthquake and how can you prepare yourself better by knowing what do do in the event of a quake. Go to 

http://www.seismo.nrcan.gc.ca/educ/index_e.html 

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Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW):

The Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW) is a not-for-profit corporation of private and public representatives working together to improve the ability of Cascadia Region communities to reduce the effects of earthquake events. Go to http://www.crew.org/mitigation/mitigation.html

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Center for Earth Research and Information:

What to do before, during and after an earthquake, and preparing an earthquake survival kit for your home, automobile, and office. More go to http://www.ceri.memphis.edu/public/survival.shtml

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Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium:

The Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium is a partnership of the federal government and seven states most affected by an earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone- Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Established in 1983 with funding from the Federal Emergency Management agency, CUSEC's primary mission is ".... the reduction of deaths, injuries, property damage and economic losses resulting from earthquakes in the Central United States." Go to http://www.cusec.org

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Recent Earthquake Activity:

Provide updated information of seismic activity through out the world. Go to  http://hoshi.cic.sfu.ca/quake.html

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Earthquake Reporting Service:

U.S. Geological Survey and UC Berkeley service for earthquake reporting. The site provides information on, How to prepare your home, business and family for earthquake hazards; earthquake probabilities; shaking hazard maps; liquefaction hazard and earthquake engineering. Go to http://quake.wr.usgs.gov

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Global Seismology Research Group - British Geological Survey

The activities of the British Geological Survey's (BGS) Global Seismology Research Group (GSRG) cover a broad spectrum of research and information services concerned with earthquakes and man-made seismic disturbances. Go to http://www.gsrg.nmh.ac.uk/gsrg.html

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Internet Sources for Earthquake Engineering and Natural Hazards Mitigation:

The Internet resources listed are not intended to be exhaustive. They represent sites which we've found useful in the past or which in some other way prove pertinent to the practice of earthquake engineering and earthquake hazards mitigation, NCEER's chief interests. Go to http://mceer.eng.buffalo.edu/default.asp

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National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research:

NCEER was established in September 1986 by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Headquartered at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the center is composed of researchers at a consortium of institutions throughout the United States. Go to http://mceer.eng.buffalo.edu/default.asp

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Saint Louis Earthquake Research and Information Centre:

Provides comprehensive and recent information related to earthquake active zones. The University provides historical data on earthquakes and host a research program in this area. Go to http://www.eas.slu.edu/Earthquake_Center/earthquakecenter.html

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Seismo-Surfing the Net: (Surfing the Internet for Earthquake Data)

The pages provided here links to some of the most comprehensive earthquake related resources on the internet. Links to pages are provided linking to places where original seismic data or seismic research information is available. Go to http://www.geophys.washington.edu/seismosurfing.html

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Southern California Earthquake Center:

The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), headquartered at USC, is a regionally focused organization founded in 1991 with a mission to gather new information about earthquakes in Southern California, integrate knowledge into a comprehensive and predictive understanding of earthquake phenomena, and communicate this understanding to end-users and the general public in order to increase earthquake awareness, reduce economic losses, and save lives. Funding for SCEC activities is provided by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Geological Survey. Scientists from over 40 institutions across the U.S. participate in SCEC, which provides the organizational structure for an outstanding scientific community. A successful Communication, Education, and Outreach Program offers student research experiences, web-based education tools, classroom curricula, museum displays, public information brochures, online newsletters, and technical workshops and publications. Go to http://www.scec.org

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The Seismological Society of America - Resources for Teachers:

The list of reference materials was prepared to provide teachers (primarily grades K-12) with resource information which will be of use in teaching topics related to seismology. Go to http://www.geo.purdue.edu/seismology_resources.html

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The World-Wide Earthquake Locator at The University of Edinburgh:

The World-Wide Earthquake Locator is an interface developed by Bruce Gittings of the Department of Geography at the University of Edinburgh, very much as an illustration of what is possible using the World-Wide Web and the internet. It develops the networking aspects of work we have done building an earthquake analysis system using data dynamically obtained over the internet. Go to http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/quakes/quakes.html

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United States Geological Survey: Latest Earthquake Information:

Earthquake Information Service (NEIS) of the U. S. Geological Survey as part of a cooperative project of the Council of the National Seismic System. Go to http://geology.usgs.gov/quake.shtml

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Western States Seismic Policy Council:

The mission of the Western States Seismic Policy Council is to provide a forum to advance earthquake hazard reduction programs throughout the Western Region and to develop, recommend and present seismic policies and programs through information exchange, research and education. Go to http://www.wsspc.org

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