With the rising threats of Earthquakes in Pakistan each year, it is crucial to know about the safety measures one should take in case of an earthquake.Earthquakes are one of those natural disasters that have the ability to rattle our planet, on a regular basis, in some part of the world every hour, every day. Many of them are too minute for human beings to feel them but every now and then, a whopper shakes our planet to its core. They, as with many natural disasters, have the ability to hit us when we least expect them. In circumstances as these we see floods and floods of people running hither and dither for dear lives, not being able to apprehend the shock or to decipher what to do.  

Why do Earthquakes happen?   

To get to understand earthquakes better, it is important that we notice what causes them and where. They are the result of a slow-motion march of plates called the tectonic plates which produce stress in the Earth’s crust, thus causing it to hit a breaking point and shake in the most violent manner.  Majority of the earthquakes occur near the edges of the tectonic plates called fault lines, but the scientists are still not very accurate about this subject. Unfortunately, the scientists are still unable to predict when and where they will occur, which is why they are more shocking to experience. What they can do is to tell us where they are most likely to occur.  

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Foreshocks and Aftershocks: 

Commonly, before and after an earthquake occurs on a large scale, it sends smaller earthquakes. The ones that occur before the main shock are called foreshocks and those that occur after the main shock are called aftershocks. 

Earthquakes in Pakistan

Over the past many years, Pakistan has experienced many deadly earthquakes that are born as a result of the juncture of three tectonic plates most likely to collide. Pakistan is located on three of those plates namely: Indian, Eurasian and Arabian. The Chaman Fault which grinds the Indian and Eurasian plates together is responsible for these destructive quakes. An earthquake that occurs along the Chaman Fault will affect areas in the north more than the south.  

How to Stay Safe During an Earthquake

Since earthquakes are so unpredictable and destructive, it is important to know all the safety precautions that may come in handy in a vulnerable situation like this. Here are some of the tips that you must keep in mind in case of an earthquake:  

Staying Safe Before an Earthquake: 

If you live in a zone that is prone to more earthquakes, you should take the following measures beforehand: 

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Staying Safe Indoors During an Earthquake: 

If you are inside your house or building when an earthquake strikes, you should take the following measures: 

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Staying Safe Outdoors During an Earthquake:

Just in case you are outside in the open when an earthquake strikes, you should take the following measures:

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Staying Safe After an Earthquake: 

If you made out safe during the earthquake, there are still certain safety measures you should take once the shaking stops. These measures are: 

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Staying Safe by Checking for hazardous Conditions: 

After the earthquake passes, make sure there aren’t any damaged things or dangerous conditions that might create safety problems for you later: 

Staying Safe in case of Damaged Home: 

It is crucial to remember that any personal belongings are not as important as your life and safety. Many people immediately think of keeping their pricy items out of harm’s way in case of emergencies like this and as a result, lose something far more valuable: life. Do not jeopardize your life to save your valuable items, except important documents that you might need later. Safety comes first and a life once lost cannot be brought back.  
Spread the word to your near and dear ones to let them know about the information that could save a person’s life. Stay safe!