After Bohol, another earthquake occurred. And this time, it’s
in Japan. Fortunately, there’s no damage being reported. Unlike in 2011’s
earthquake that hit in the same country killing thousands of people and
damaging billions of properties, this 2013 earthquake didn’t cause damage.
Although there was a tsunami alert after the 7.1 magnitude
tremor struck about 320 km off the coast, it was then lifted a few hours after.
However, people who are working at the Fukushima power station were advised to
leave the areas and seek higher ground.
Thankfully, there was no damage in the
plant. There weren’t changes in readings at radiation either.
According to Japan Meteorological Agency, a small tsunami
could reach the eastern coast of Fukushima after the tremor happened in the Pacific
Ocean. Said agency also issued a yellow advisory to those areas that have been
hit by Japan earthquake in 2011.
The quake hit in the morning of October 26, 2013 at 2:10 am,
Tokyo time (around 4:00 am in the Philippines).
Since the 2011 earthquake in Japan, two of the country’s 40
reactors were not operating.
What caused a killer
quake?
Quakes happen because those rocks underneath the Earth slip
past each other. The cause of movement is the stress. When it’s too strong for
the fault, it’ll release energy causing an earthquake.
What does the 7.1
magnitude quake mean?
The 7.1 Japan earthquake happened didn’t cause damage to the
location. But this magnitude is considered as an intensity VII tremor. This means
that it can slightly damage specially designed properties. But it’ll severely
damage those structures that have been poorly built. When this magnitude quake
happens to your vicinity, you’ll expect to experience falling of chimneys,
columns, walls and factory stacks. There will also be overturning of heavy
furniture.
Is Japan prone to
earthquakes?
Yes, it is. It’s one of the seismically active areas in the
world. This country is like the Philippines that experiences several
earthquakes each year. Some of them are can cause damage while others don’t.
Can we predict earthquakes?
As opposed to volcanic eruptions, we can’t know when an
earthquake will happen. The crust of the Earth has pieces that constantly
moving. Unfortunately, scientists haven’t invented yet a technology or a machine
that can predict the next earthquake may occur. However, geoscientists and
seismologists can identify what areas in the world belong to the seismically
active areas. Sadly, Philippines and Japan belong to those group that
experience more earthquakes every year.
How should we
minimize the damage?
Since we can’t predict when an earthquake is going to occur,
it’s important to build a stronger structure. When you’re planning to build a house,
you should inform your government’s volcanology and seismology agency to help
you assess whether or not the area is in an active fault. As per the guideline
of a national building code, you can’t build a building, a house or anything
that’s found within 5 meters of a fault.
When an earthquake happens again, you should pay more
attention of the things that you don’t see as they can surely cause damage. As for
the Japan earthquake that just occurred a few hours ago, we just hope and pray
it won’t happen again. The 2011 quake in this country and the October 2013
quake in Bohol are just too much to bear.
