WHAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE?
An earthquake is a sudden release of energy in the earth’s crust brought on by movement along a fault line between tectonic plates.
It is distinguished by a strong ground trembling caused by deep seismic waves that propagate outward from the initial point of rupture.
Ground tremors, soil liquefaction, landslides, cracks, avalanches, and tsunamis can all be caused by earthquakes. An earthquake’s magnitude, strength, length, local geology, time of day it occurs, building and industrial facility design and materials, and risk-management strategies all play a role in how much damage and destruction it causes.
TYPES FOR EARTHQUAKES
The Mercalli scale (MM):
This uses a scale from I to XII in Roman numerals to rank earthquakes according to their devastation, with XII being the most severe. The scale is based on observations of the earthquake’s impact made visually and through other non-instrumental means.
The Richter scale (ML):
This shows the size of the ground tremor as determined by a seismograph.
A magnitude 5 earthquake is 10 times more powerful than a magnitude 4 earthquake since the scale is logarithmic to base 10. Unlike a magnitude 8 earthquake, which has the potential to be disastrous, a magnitude 4 earthquake is noticeable but mild.
The moment magnitude scale (MW):
This is based on seismographic measurements as well, and it measures the amount of energy released across the fault’s rupture area. The most accurate estimate for really large earthquakes is provided by this method. The Richter (M L) scale has been closely approximated in the definition of the scale, up to a magnitude of six.
RISE OF CHEMICAL RELEASE RISK FACTORS
Sites that generate, use, or store chemicals are susceptible to earthquake damage and chemical leakage.
Old gas and oil pipes, piping, and non-pressurized chemical storage tanks are particularly susceptible to rupturing after an earthquake, according to analysis of previous occurrences.
THE FOLLOWING ARE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE RISKS TO POPULATION OF A CHEMICAL RELEASE DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
Location of industrial facilities in seismic areas.
• High population density around industrial sites.
• Inadequate planning and building regulations.
• Structures that are not seismically resistant.
• Inadequate warning systems.
• Lack of public awareness
about earthquake risks.