Lets start with the fact that out planet Earth is not one solid mass. The earth is made up of gigantic puzzle pieces that fit together and are called tectonic plates.

If for any reason these giant slabs move and collide or grind against each other, the grinding effect causes seismic waves traveling through the Earth's crust and creating intense and violent vibrations that we feel as an earthquakes.

Key characteristics of earthquakes.

Earthquakes are characterised by rapid shaking of the ground, the quake may be mild or intense, can cause buildings, bridges, and other structures to collapse. It can trigger secondary disaster like landslides, tsunamis, and fires, resulting in loss of some essential social amenities like electricity, water, and communication services. Earthquakes can lead to injuries, fatalities, and displacement of people.

The disruptive power of an earthquake is measured in both magnitude and intensity, while the magnitude masures the total space where the quake was felt, intensity mesures the amount of damage it wraked. Earthquakes were commonly measured using the Richter scale which is a logarithmic based scale ranging from 0 to 10, where the higher it gets, the more distructive and each number is ten times more distructive compared to the previous.

Earthquakes can be very devastating, but preparedness, evacuation drills, and building codes can help minimize the impact.

How prepared are we.

Countries located along earthquakes prone areas have put in place tangible measures in preparation of an earthquake. The same can not be said of countries who's geographical location is less likely to experience earthquakes.

_{a closer look at the extent of damage Pixabay Image}

Nigeria have had a few recorded cases of earthquakes

Date	Magnitude	Location
March 7, 2000	4.5	Siluko, Edo State
September 11, 2009	4.4	Nigeria-Benin border
September 5-7, 2018	Low magnitude	Abuja, Nigeria

Despite this few incidents, the level of national and individual preparedness is still low.

National earthquake preparedness constitutes a comprehensive approach that involves many stakeholders joining forces to prepare, respond, and mitigate the effects of an earthquake.

Some key components of national earthquake preparedness include:

A legal framework and emergency management structure to coordinate earthquake response efforts all over the country, identify high risk areas and include evacuation strategies in town planning.

Building codes that stick to a structural standard that can withstand higher magnitude quakes. With earl warning systems giving people some time to look for a safe place.

Public education and awareness should be carried out regularly nationwide. With special campaigns to educate the public on earthquake safety, preparedness, and response.

Hospitals should have staff that are trained for such situations and the building should be able to shelter. Such a comprehensive national earthquake preparedness approach can help reduce the impact of earthquakes on communities and save lives.

_{Damaged infrastructure Pixabay Image}

Individual preparedness.

Individual will also need to be ready for for any eventuality. Individuals will have to participate and practice earthquake drills, have a family emergency plan with evacuation routes and meeting points.
It is also good to have a disaster supply kit that Store essential items like food, water, first aid supplies, and batteries. And make sure you are Staying informed at all time.

_{buldings should be earthquake resistant Pixabay Image}

Invitation and contest link

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