Earth

Earthquake vigilance is very important

Kathleen Tierney: We cannot predict an earthquake in the sense of being able to tell exactly where, exactly when and how big.

That’s Kathleen Tierney of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado. She said that because no one can make predictions about earthquakes far in advance, people in high-risk areas always need to be prepared.

Kathleen Tierney: They can develop household disaster plans where the household plans together what to do if an earthquake were to strike.

Some communities have warning systems. Earthquake-prone Japan developed a national alert system in 2007, which tries to alert the public the moment scientists detect a large tremor. The Japanese system doesn’t just rely on seismology. It also relies on a well-informed population. In other parts of the world, where populations may be more demographically diverse, getting out earthquake-preparedness information can be challenging.

Kathleen Tierney: In terms of different language groups in our society, different ethnic groups, groups that use different types of media.

For now, Tierney advised, people in vulnerable areas should stay vigilant, especially when it’s been a while since the last quake.

Join EarthSky in celebrating The International Year of Planet Earth. Thanks to the National Science Foundation and US Geological Survey.

Our thanks to:
Kathleen Tierney
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO

Posted 
April 2, 2009
 in 
Earth

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