I didn’t feel that earthquake…?

While researching for this blog, I came across this website.  By going to this website you can click on the different dots on the map and see where the most recent earthquakes (in the past 7 days) have been.  There have been many earthquakes of small magnitude that have occured in Utah lately that no one has really/luckily felt!  I had no idea.  Thankfully they haven’t really been big earthquakes.

This was somewhat of a wake-up call to me because it made me realize that we shouldn’t just be anticipating one huge earthquake in the near future…we may experience anything from a minor to moderate earthquake before we ever experience a big one.  Check it out!

(Here is an even more in-depth look at the most recent earthquakes.)

Preparedness Tip for the Day

• Under your bed store an old pair of tennis shoes in case of some sort of natural disaster.  This way they will be readily available.  In one of the shoes place a flashlight, in the other shoe place a whistle.  The flashlight is for obvious reasons, and the whistle is so that in case you are trapped or need help, you can blow your whistle so that someone can hopefully hear you.

• Some people suggest placing these items in a bag and securing them to your bed somehow–this way these items will almost always be readily available in case of an emergency.  This Survival Mom also has many helpful suggestions on how to prepare for an earthquake.

Answers to Earthquake Quiz

1.  You are fast asleep in the middle of the night.  You’re shaken awake by an earthquake.  What do you do?

A.  Jump out of bed

B.  Roll out of and under bed

C.  Stay where you are and cover neck & head

2.  An earthquake starts as you are getting ready for work or school.  What is the safest thing to do?

A.  Get out of your home ASAP

B.  Get under a sturdy table, cover neck & head

C.  Get in doorway and brace yourself by holding onto frame

3.  Your family is having a picnic outside and you start to feel an earthquake.  What is your plan?

A.  Take shelter under nearest large tree

B.  Curl in a ball

C.  Go to nearest open space and drop to ground

4.  You are at the beach when an earthquake begins.  What do you do?

A.  Get to higher ground

B.  Run into the water

C.  Go to the nearest lifeguard tower

5.  You’ve experienced a major earthquake.  What do you do next?

A.  Immediately shut off gas

B.  Call 911

C.  Put on protective shoes & clothing and assess the damage

6.  After the quake you have a bleeding cut on your forehead.  Your neighbor has a broken leg.  Who do you treat first?

A.  Yourself

B.  Your neighbor

C.  Call 911 and wait for paramedics

7.  A strong earthquake caused moderate damage to your home and you’re worried about gas leaks but don’t smell it or hear leaking sounds.  Should you shut off the gas?

A.  Yes

B.  No

8.  Your car feels like you have a flat tire when it really is an earthquake.  What do you do?

A.  Speed up to get away

B.  Wait until you’re under an overpass and pull over

C.  Pull over immediately and keep your seat belt on

9.  After you experience a strong earthquake there are a number of small fires in the neighborhood.  What do you do?

A.  Call the fire department and start putting them out

B.  Don’t bother the fire department

C.  Call the fire department and wait for them

10.  You do not have an earthquake kit when an earthquake strikes.  What is your best source of good water?

A.  Swimming pool

B.  Spa

C.  Canned vegetables (or ice cubes)

Earthquake Quiz!

1.  You are fast asleep in the middle of the night.  You’re shaken awake by an earthquake.  What do you do?

A.  Jump out of bed

B.  Roll out of and under bed

C.  Stay where you are and cover neck & head

2.  An earthquake starts as you are getting ready for work or school.  What is the safest thing to do?

A.  Get out of your home ASAP

B.  Get under a sturdy table, cover neck & head

C.  Get in doorway and brace yourself by holding onto frame

3.  Your family is having a picnic outside and you start to feel an earthquake.  What is your plan?

A.  Take shelter under nearest large tree

B.  Curl in a ball

C.  Go to nearest open space and drop to ground

4.  You are at the beach when an earthquake begins.  What do you do?

A.  Get to higher ground

B.  Run into the water

C.  Go to the nearest lifeguard tower

5.  You’ve experienced a major earthquake.  What do you do next?

A.  Immediately shut off gas

B.  Call 911

C.  Put on protective shoes & clothing and assess the damage

6.  After the quake you have a bleeding cut on your forehead.  Your neighbor has a broken leg.  Who do you treat first?

A.  Yourself

B.  Your neighbor

C.  Call 911 and wait for paramedics

7.  A strong earthquake caused moderate damage to your home and you’re worried about gas leaks but don’t smell it or hear leaking sounds.  Should you shut off the gas?

A.  Yes

B.  No

8.  Your car feels like you have a flat tire when it really is an earthquake.  What do you do?

A.  Speed up to get away

B.  Wait until you’re under an overpass and pull over

C.  Pull over immediately and keep your seat belt on

9.  After you experience a strong earthquake there are a number of small fires in the neighborhood.  What do you do?

A.  Call the fire department and start putting them out

B.  Don’t bother the fire department

C.  Call the fire department and wait for them

10.  You do not have an earthquake kit when an earthquake strikes.  What is your best source of good water?

A.  Swimming pool

B.  Spa

C.  Canned vegetables

(Answers will be posted tomorrow…don’t get too excited :))

For more natural disaster quizzes to here.

For some quick facts on earthquakes go here.

“Not a matter of if, but when”

There have been many sobering natural disasters as of late.  In 2004 there was the horrendous tsunami off the coast of Indonesia, killing thousands and more recently was the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January of this year.  It was unreal and extremely humbling to watch footage from these two events.  This just goes to show how unpredictable these events really are, and that we need to take action now to do all we can to be prepared.

For many years researchers have been predicting an earthquake in Utah, and the video also mentioned another predicted earthquake in California “any day now.”  Luckily, new homes are being built more earthquake proof, and even large buildings, such as this, are being renovated to prevent any major damage in the event of an earthquake.  These examples emphasize the importance of ready-ing ourselves, and our families, in case of a disaster.

For more information on how Utah leaders are preparing for the future, click here.