Magnitude is the size of an earthquake, this is the measured amount of ground that has moved and amount of energy being released. Intensity however is in a specific place determining how strong the earthquake is. So a single earthquake will have an over all magnitude and then different levels of intensity depending on the location.
The Fiji area has earthquakes apparently very often. According to the IRIS link we were given this week, their last earthquake was on Feb. 16 and had a magnitude of 4.4. The earthquake before that was on the same day but went up to a 4.5. Before those two, there was an earthquake on the 8th of February and two more on the 6th.
To prepare for earthquakes and associated tsunami hazards, Fiji has an approach that includes the following
- Hazard Assessment
- Vulnerability Assessment
- Disaster Mitigation Measures
- Emergency Response Planning
- Public Awareness and Policy Support
- Dissemination of Findings
They have very specific codes for buildings and land-usage to set a higher standard for construction. They raise public awareness through their Disaster Risk Reduction program. Children are taught in schools to go underneath a table or desk, hold their bags over their head if they are not under a desk, use their hands and sit down in a ball with their head between their knees if necessary, and how to use emergency tools.
I enjoyed the post and the map! It is good to know they are taking seriously this hazard. although they are now probably more concerned about the cat 5 storm they just had....
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ReplyDeleteHi Anna, it seems that Fiji has taken almost every possible safety precaution to ensure their residents stay safe. Like Mrs. Garcia I also heard that they had a category five cyclone over the weekend. I believe they said the death toll was at 20 as of yesterday. Overall, I think Fiji has implement a good safety regimen against any natural hazard that comes their way. Good find.
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