Bangladesh in Risk of

Earthquake: What Can Be

Done

Presented By :

Md.Jahangir Alam

Coordinator, Disaster

Management Unit

Dhaka Ahsania Mission

What are Earthquakes?

• The shaking /ground vibration caused by

the sudden/abrupt release of energy

• Usually associated with faulting or

breaking of rocks

• Continuing adjustment of position results

in aftershocksw

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Richter’s Scale & Measuring Earthquakes

• Earthquakes are recorded by a

“Seismograph” it draws graphs called

“Seismograms” and represents the

propagating waves.

• The Richter scale is a scale that designs a

number to earthquakes for quantify the

energy released.

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Measurement of Magnitude

Magnitude Effects3.5 or Less Don’t Fell

3.5 – 5.4 Cause Minor Damage

5.5 – 6.0 Causing Damage to Building

6.1 – 6.9 Cause Several Damages

7.0 – 7.9 Cause Serious Damages

8.0 or More Total Destruction

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Different types of plates movement

The Focus and Epicenter of an Earthquake

• The point within Earth where faulting

begins is the focus, or hypocenter

• The point directly above the focus on

the surface is the epicenter

What are Seismic Waves?

Response of material to the arrival

of energy fronts released by

rupture

• Two types:

– Body waves

• P and S

– Surface waves

• R and L

Body Waves: P and S waves

Body waves

- P or primary waves

• fastest waves

• travel through solids, liquids, or gases

• compressional wave, material movement is in the same direction as wave movement

– S or secondary waves

• slower than P waves

• travel through solids only

• shear waves - move material perpendicular to wave movement

Surface Waves: R and L waves

• Surface Waves

– Travel just below or along the ground’s

surface

– Slower than body waves; rolling and

side-to-side movement

– Especially damaging to buildings

The Economics and Societal Impacts of EQs

• Building collapse

• Fire

• Tsunami

• Ground failure

Can Earthquakes be Predicted?

Earthquake Precursors

– changes in elevation or tilting of land surface, fluctuations in groundwater levels, magnetic field, electrical resistance of the ground

– seismic dilatancy model

– seismic gaps

Can Earthquakes be Predicted?

Earthquake Prediction Programs

– include laboratory and field studies of

rocks before, during, and after

earthquakes

– monitor activity along major faults

– produce risk assessments

Can Earthquakes be Controlled?

• Graph showing the

relationship between the

amount of waste injected

into wells per month and

the average number of

Denver earthquakes per

month

• Some have suggested

that pumping fluids into

seismic gaps will cause

small earthquakes while

preventing large ones

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Earthquake zones of BD

Faults and tectonic contacts of Bangladesh

Population under different earthquake zones

Foundation failure and fault of Dhaka city

Liquefaction hazard of Dhaka city

Subsidence hazard of Dhaka city

Family Readiness

• Create a family Earthquake plan

• Know the safe spot in each room

• Know the danger spots

• Decide where your family will reunite if separated

• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers

• Develop a survival kit for work, car, and home

Home Preparedness

• Learn how to shut off gas,

water, and electricity

• Check chimneys, roofs, and

wall foundations for stability

• Secure heavy furnishings

• Secure water heater and

appliances

• Keep heavy objects on lower

shelves

• Maintain emergency food,

water, medicine, first aid kit,

tools, and clothing

Emergency Supplies

• First Aid supplies Band-Aids antibiotic ointment latex

gloves cold/hot packs ace bandages arm sling

Tylenol or Advil diarrhea medication

• Equipment work gloves shovel tents

sleeping bags ready to eat foods clothing

radio, flashlights CASH

During an Earthquake

• Stay away from windows, bookcases, file cabinets,

heavy mirrors, and other heavy objects that could fall

• Duck under a desk or sturdy table

• Watch for falling plaster or ceiling tiles

• Stay undercover until the shaking stops, and hold onto

your cover

• If the desk or table you are under moves… move with it

• If in your car, stop, but not on a bridge, or under trees or

a power line

• If outside, stay outside, and move to an area clear of

overhead trees, power lines, or objects that could fall

from a structure

• Don’t forget about aftershocks

After The Earthquake

• Be prepared for aftershocks, plan for cover when they

occur

• Check for injuries, give first aid as necessary

• Remain calm, try to reassure others

• Wear shoes to avoid injury from broken glass

• Check for fire and take appropriate actions

• Check gas, water, and electric lines

• Tune to emergency broadcast system on radio

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