We continue our look at earthquakes this week, focusing on their effects and some personal safety tips. Have questions or comments? E-mail Petre Williams at williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com

THERE are a range of effects that earthquakes produce in those areas where they occur. There is damage to both the built and the natural environment. In some cases, people lose their lives.

Effects on the

built environment

The shaking in the earth – depending on the size of the seismic event as measured on the Richter scale – may cause damage to buildings, including homes, hospitals, police stations, and courthouses.

Bridges and dams may also be destroyed by the rumbling that is produced by earthquakes. This could result in a loss of water supply.

A loss of communication may result from the destruction of utility poles and underground cables. This may be so even as ravaged roads prevent any attempt at transportation.

Effects on the natural environment

Beyond the damage that may be wrought on the built environment are those on the natural environment. There is every chance of landslides, as has been seen in sections of upper St Andrew whenever there is a heavy shower of rain.

Landslides, in turn, could cause the loss of human life and property, while they may also alter the course of rivers.

There is also the displacement/loss of trees and other forms of natural vegetation that may result. And as noted last week, earthquakes that occur beneath the ocean can cause tsunamis or tidal waves.

Tsunamis are high and long walls of water which travel at a very rapid rate. They are notorious for destroying entire populations and cities near coastlines. Sanriku, Japan (1896) provides an apt example of this. The Sanriku population of 20,000 suffered such a fate.

Earthquake tips

There can be little question of the potentially damaging effects of earthquakes. So what can you do to limit them? Some tips follow.

. Knowledge is power

Ensure you have an earthquake survival kit handy and that all family members – children included – are aware of how to turn off gas, water, and electricity. Ensure, too, that all family members know emergency numbers, including those of the nearest hospital as well as the police and fire services.

. Beware of heavy objects

Anchor heavy objects – including bookcases, mirrors and cabinets – to walls. Ensure that they are kept below the head height of the shortest family member.

. Keep a cool head

There is nothing to be gained from being frantic once an earthquake begins. So stay clam, find a solid doorway and stand inside it. Failing that, you can crouch beneath a desk that is located away from windows or glass doors.

If you are outside your home, office, school or church, stay clear of buildings when an earthquake begins, stay away from telephone and electricty poles as well as trees.

If you are in your car, drive to a safe area – away from all the above-mentioned objects – and remain inside the vehicle.

. Check for damageSources: library.thinkquest.org; www.ceri.memphis.edu/public/survival.shtml;

Once the tremors have ceased, check your person for injuries and where injuries are found, seek treatment. After that, run a safety check for gas, water and sewage breaks.

Check also fallen power lines and turn off utilities. Later, determine whether there is any damage to your building – be it home, office or school.

Finally, wear shoes!

Earthquake kits should contain:

. water

. First Aid kit and manual on how to use it

. canned foods and opener

. important medication

. blankets

. portable radio and spare batteries

. paper plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels

. large plastic trash bags

. hand soap, liquid detergent, shampoo

. toothpaste and toothbrushes

. deodorant and feminine supplies

. toilet paper

Our Habitat continues our look at sea birds at the Yallahs Pond in St Thomas this week, with a look at the Palm Warbler and the Ruddy Turnstone.

Palm Warbler

(Dendroica Palmarum)

The Palm Warbler may be identified readily by its habit of tail wagging, which shows off its yellow undertail. It is a small bird with a brownish back and faint streaks on its sides.

The Caribbean is among the primary breeding grounds for the songbird, which grows up to 14 cm, with a wingspan of between 20 and 21 centimetres and which weighs up to 13 grams.

Also known as Paruline à couronne rousse in French and as Chipe playero in Spanish, its population appears stable.

Ruddy Turnstone

(Arenaria Interpres)

The Ruddy Turnstone is a short, brightly patterned shorebird, which may be observed pecking or flipping over stones along shorelines.

It has a dark bill that is fairly thick with a slight upturn. It has short, orange legs and its face has a black-and-white clown-like pattern. In flight, its white-and-dark wing pattern is openly visible in flight.

It has a wingspan of between 50 and 58 centimetres and weighs up to 90 grams. It may grow up to 16 centimetres.

Known as Tournepierre à collier in French and as Vuelvepiedras rojizo in Spanish, the population of the Ruddy Turnstone is relatively stable.

Source: www.birds.cornell.edu