Avian Flu Diary: 5.8 Mag. Quake Rocks Northern Italy

# 6353

For the second time in 10 days, a strong temblor has rocked northern Italy, and early reports indicate at least ten people have died as a result. In the hours since the 5.8 quake struck, there have been several lesser aftershocks.

If you say `earthquake’ and `Europe’ in one sentence, most people would naturally assume you are talking about Italy, or perhaps Greece. Eastern and central Mediterranean regions after all, are well known for seismic activity.

But two of the strongest earthquakes to strike Europe over the past millennium occurred in Switzerland and Portugal.

And as the following Seismic Hazard Map (produced by GSHAP – Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program) shows, other areas of western, central and northern Europe are vulnerable as well.

Last year in A Look At Europe’s Seismic Risks, we took look at some of the devastating earthquakes to strike Europe over the past 700 years, including the quake that leveled the Swiss town of Basel in 1356 and the horrific earthquake and tsunami that struck Portugal in 1755 on November 1st (All Saint’s Day).

In December of last year, in WHO e-Atlas Of Natural Disaster Risks To Europe, we looked at some of the seismic risks to Europe. And in April of 2011 (see UNDP: Supercities At Seismic Risk) we saw a report that stated that half of the world’s supercities (urban areas with 2 million – 15 million inhabitants) are at high risk for seismic activity.

And more recently, in January of this year (see UN Agency Warns On Global Seismic Risks), the United Nations International Strategy For Disaster Reduction (UNIDSR.Org) issued a cautionary warning about ignoring seismic threats.

UNISDR warns against ignoring seismic threats as quakes wreak havoc for second year

302 human impact disasters claimed 29,782 lives; affected 206 million and inflicted record economic damages of $366 billion in 2011

Geneva, 18 January 2012 – For two consecutive years the long-term disasters trend has been bucked by major earthquakes which claimed thousands of lives and affected millions in both 2010 and 2011, according to new statistics published today by CRED and the UN office for disaster risk reduction, UNISDR.

UNISDR Chief, Margareta Wahlström, said today: “The Great East Japan Earthquake and the accompanying tsunami is a reminder to us all that we cannot afford to ignore the lessons of history no matter how forgotten. The many major cities located in seismic zones need to take seriously the probability of return events even if many years have passed since the last seismic event of major magnitude.

(Continue . . . )

While we can’t predict where the next earthquake will strike, or do anything to stop it, we can prepare to deal with one when it happens.

For good, solid information on how prepare for `the big one’ (even if you live someplace other than Los Angeles), I would recommend you download, read, and implement the advice provided by the The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.

While US-centric, FEMA has an earthquake hazard webpage with a lot of resources that would be of use to just about anyone, including the following preparedness information.

Emergencies happen every day. Disasters, admittedly, less often. But in either event, preparedness is key.

At a bare minimum, every household should have a disaster plan, a good first aid kit (and the knowledge to use it), and emergency supplies to last a minimum of 72 hours during a disaster.

Personally, I’d be uncomfortable with anything less than a week.

To become better prepared as an individual, family, business owner, or community to deal with these types of disasters: visit the following preparedness sites.