Earthquake Resistant Structures - Essay Example

For example, an earthquake of a city with a number of buildings in its surroundings will have a high Mercalli rating. (Scholz, 2002, 90) Richter scale is the one that measures the strength and the trembling caused by the earthquake. An earthquake that occurs in a desert will be measured in Richter scale rating and it will have a low Mercalli rating as there will not be much destruction. Earthquakes are seen as the most critical type of natural disaster that results from the unexpected movement of rocks that exist below the outer shell of the earth.

An Earthquake can prove to be destructive for people, houses, and companies and can even cause more fierce disasters. (Udias, 2006, 410) Earthquakes occur due to a couple of plates sliding past each other.

When such plates get trapped due to resistance and the movement of the plate goes on, it leads to the building up of the huge amount of pressure that ultimately brings shattering of the rocks. California is well-known for getting the largest number of earthquakes every year. Earthquakes cause more than just fires, they can cause large objects to fall from above, furniture to topple over, can even cause the structure of your home to weaken and fall. All of these things could be avoided. (Kramar, 2005, 60) Short-term safety procedures people can do themselves to prevent falling objects are to secure them in place with either bolts or strap hinges to prevent large objects within your home from moving during an earthquake.

But to prepare for an earthquake people must make sure they have some vital supplies, such as a fire extinguisher, flashlight, have nonperishable food items, have a plan, you just have to ask yourself these questions: Are you and your neighbor's going to help each other?

Preparing for long-term safety, you would then have to get your home retrofitted seismically. Seismic retrofit makes the connection between a house and its foundation stronger by using hardware and engineering methods.