How often do earthquakes occur? point scale of intensity, strength of earthquakes. Frequency of earthquakes of different magnitudes in the world per year

Most of the largest earthquakes occur according to one scenario: rigid plate structures, consisting of the earth's crust and mantle, move, colliding with each other. There are 7 largest plates in the world: Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, Pacific and South American.

Over the past two billion years, the movement of plates has accelerated significantly, which, accordingly, has increased the chances of such a catastrophe. On the other hand, based on studies of the movement of tectonic plates, scientists can, albeit approximately, predict the occurrence of the next major earthquake. Based on publicly available data, we have compiled a list of cities where the likelihood of such an event is already very high.

San Francisco

A powerful earthquake with an epicenter in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about a hundred kilometers from the city of San Francisco, is just around the corner. Or rather, over the next couple of years. However, most residents of the City by the Bay prepared for the disaster by stocking up on medicines, drinking water and food. In turn, the city authorities are busy urgently carrying out work to strengthen the buildings.

Fremantle

Fremantle is a port city located on the west coast of Australia. According to seismological studies by specialists from the University of Sydney, a strong earthquake of about 6 on the Richter scale is expected there between the end of 2016 and 2024. However, the main danger is that the shock could occur on the ocean floor near the city, causing a tsunami.

Tokyo

According to experts, a major earthquake with an epicenter in the Japanese capital has a 75% probability of occurring at any time over the next 30 years. According to the model created by scientists, about 23 thousand people will become victims of the disaster and over 600 thousand buildings will be destroyed. In addition to increasing the level of earthquake resistance of buildings and demolishing old structures, the Tokyo administration will introduce non-combustible building materials. The 1995 Kobe earthquake showed the Japanese that people more often become victims not of collapsed buildings, but of fires that occur after a disaster.

Los Angeles

Earthquakes happen quite often in the City of Angels, but there haven't been any truly major ones for over a century. The gloomier is the forecast presented by seismologists and geologists from the US Geological Society. Based on an analysis of soils and tectonic plates under central California, scientists have concluded that a magnitude 6.7 earthquake could occur here before 2037. A shock of such force, under certain circumstances, can turn a city into ruins.

Panama

Over the next few years, a powerful earthquake measuring more than 8.5 on the Richter scale will occur in the area of ​​the Isthmus of Panama. Experts from the University of San Diego came to these conclusions after conducting seismological studies of faults adjacent to the Panama Canal. The effects of an earthquake of truly catastrophic proportions will be felt by the inhabitants of both Americas. And most of all, of course, the capital of the republic, Panama, where about 1.5 million people live, will suffer.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

A strong earthquake in the medium term, i.e. in the next 4-5 years, will occur in the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky area. Such data were reported in the seismology department of the Schmidt Institute of Earth Physics. In connection with this forecast, work is being carried out in Kamchatka to strengthen buildings, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations is checking the seismic resistance of buildings. In addition, a network of stations was organized to monitor the symptoms of an approaching earthquake: high-frequency vibrations of the earth's crust, water levels in wells, and fluctuations in magnetic fields.

Grozny

According to the same seismology department, a major earthquake in the period from 2017 to 2036. could happen in the North Caucasus, on the border of Chechnya and Dagestan. Unlike the situation in Kamchatka, no work is being carried out there to reduce possible damage from earthquakes, which could lead to a greater number of casualties than if such work had been carried out.

NY

New research results from American seismologists from Columbia University indicate a high seismic hazard currently in the vicinity of New York. The magnitude of the earthquake can reach five points, which can lead to the complete destruction of old buildings in the city. Another cause for concern was the nuclear power plant located right at the intersection of two faults, i.e. in an extremely dangerous region. Its destruction could turn New York into a second Chernobyl.

Banda Aceh

Indonesia is located in the most seismically active zone on the planet, and therefore earthquakes here will not surprise anyone. In particular, the island of Sumatra constantly finds itself almost directly at the epicenter of tremors. A new earthquake, predicted by seismologists, with an epicenter 28 km from the city of Banda Aceh, which will occur in the next six months, will not be an exception.

Bucharest

A strong earthquake in Romania could be triggered by blasting of shale rocks carried out in the Carpathian Mountains region. Geophysicists from the Romanian National Institute report that the epicenter of the future earthquake will be located there, at a depth of 40 kilometers. The fact is that work to search for shale gas in these layers of the earth can cause displacements of the earth’s crust and, as a result, earthquakes.

One of the most terrible and unpredictable natural phenomena occurring on planet Earth is an earthquake. The destructive power of this earthly catastrophe can reach colossal proportions and humanity cannot fight it. Due to the fact that earthquakes or tremors occur as a result of sudden and fleeting changes in the very depths of the planet, it is currently almost impossible to prevent their occurrence. And sometimes it is also quite difficult to predict where, when and with what force tremors will occur. Therefore, in order to try to save yourself and the lives of your loved ones during this natural disaster, it is very important to know what to do during an earthquake and be able to provide first aid.

A huge number of earthquakes occur on planet Earth every year. But due to the fact that most of them have a very small impact force or occur at the very bottom of the oceans, many of the tremors do not affect us at all and we are absolutely unaware of their occurrence, and some are not even aware of their existence. Noticeable destruction can only be caused by strong earthquakes or tsunamis that arise in the ocean due to them.

Due to the fact that during earthquakes its energy is produced in many different forms (magnetic, electrical, mechanical), it is impossible to measure the force of its action with absolute accuracy. The greatest part of the destructive power of this natural phenomenon occurs at the epicenter of its occurrence, and the rest of the energy turns into waves, the strength of which decreases with increasing distance.

The strength of an earthquake is usually determined by such concepts as intensity, magnitude and energy class. The most accurate measurement of the amplitude of an earthquake is considered, that is, the magnitude of the vibrations that arise directly at the very epicenter of the disaster, and the concept of intensity or intensity, measured in points, is more often used in everyday life, since it is this that allows us to characterize the strength of the earthquake on the surface of the earth’s crust. The stronger the earthquake and the closer its epicenter, the greater the intensity. Let's consider the impact of this natural disaster depending on the number of points of its intensity:

• From 1 to 2 points– insignificant shock force, which can only be determined with the help of special instruments. Earthquakes of magnitude 2 can also sometimes be detected by a person if at that moment he is in a motionless state.
• From 3 to 4 points– tremors are felt more strongly in high-rise buildings, chandeliers may sway, slight mixing of objects and a feeling of slight dizziness.
• From 5 to 7 points– the tremors begin to be felt quite strongly on the ground, minor destruction of buildings is possible, for example, cracks begin to appear on the walls, windows break, and plaster crumbles.
• 8 points– an earthquake causes deep cracks to appear on houses, the ground and even slopes.
• 9 points– the tremors become so strong that they can destroy the walls of houses and even some underground communication structures.
• From 10 to 11 points– an earthquake of such strength causes severe destruction of many buildings, bridges, collapses, and landslides.
• 12 points– the destructive force of such shocks can significantly change the surface of the earth’s crust, practically crumble buildings and even change the movement of water in rivers.

The strength of an earthquake largely depends on how close to the Earth's surface internal changes and movements of the earth's crust occurred. The closer the source, the greater the destructive power of a natural disaster.

Causes of earthquakes

Quite often, many people have the question: “Why do earthquakes happen?” In ancient times, people believed that such disasters were sent to them from above as punishment for bad deeds. Currently, despite the fact that this question has not yet been fully studied, scientists have some answers. In fact, there are quite a lot of reasons for the occurrence of such disasters and they are all divided into the following impacts:

• Natural. Natural influences include internal changes of the planet Earth, the influence of cosmic storms, the sun, and some other phenomena of the Cosmos.
• Artificial. The artificial influence on the motivation for the occurrence of an earthquake is Man and his influence on the environment. Such actions can be explosions, digging up earth rocks for mining, and the like.

Depending on the cause of occurrence, the following types of earthquakes are distinguished:

• Tectonic earthquakes. This type is the most common phenomenon that occurs due to movements, faults and collisions of tectonic plates. Such earthquakes manifest themselves in different ways. This may be the appearance of huge cracks on the surface of the earth, various collapses and landslides, or, with low strength, earthquakes may not reveal themselves at all.
• Landslide earthquakes. These earthquakes occur due to the impact of landslides and landslides on the earth's crust. Such phenomena most often occur due to the appearance of voids underground and inside the mountains. Most often, landslide earthquakes are not very powerful.
• Volcanic earthquakes caused by a volcanic eruption. Their peculiarity is that they do not cause any significant destruction and can be repeated a number of times.
• Artificial earthquakes. This type occurs as a result of a large number of simultaneous explosions, nuclear explosions, as well as underground tests of various types of weapons.
• Man-made earthquakes arise from direct human impact on the environment. It can arise as a result of artificial changes in the landscape during the construction of dams or new structures, the search for oil accumulations, the extraction of various types of minerals, or the destruction of mountains and plains by humans.

According to the results of numerous observations, the following natural phenomena occur before the occurrence of many earthquakes:

• Heavy and prolonged rain showers.
• The appearance in the air of an excess of gases such as uranium compounds, radon, helium, argon.
• Severe anxiety and unusual behavior of domestic and wild animals, it is believed that, for example.
• An unexpected glow in the air.

Ecological consequences of earthquakes

Depending on the strength of the earthquake, the proximity of the epicenter, and the location of its occurrence, varying degrees of consequences of this phenomenon appear.

Disasters with higher intensity significantly affect the ecology of the environment.

• The most common environmental consequences resulting from earthquakes are the occurrence of such natural processes as landslides, landslides, mudflows, destruction of the earth's crust and even floods. With any even slight change in the usual landscape, in any case, great stress arises for the living organisms living in this area. For example, large landslide debris spoils the composition of the soil; flooding caused by an earthquake tsunami can permanently kill the life of organisms in the area.
• In the case of deep faults, various heavy metals begin to enter the atmosphere from the bowels of the earth, negatively affecting living organisms.
• One of the most dangerous effects of an earthquake is the provocation of man-made disasters. In the event that it arose in an area where there were various structures created to create production technologies, such as, for example, an oil refinery or pharmaceutical enterprise. As a result of violations of such buildings, severe environmental pollution almost always occurs.
• If an earthquake occurs in an area where waste was stored, all toxic and unsafe substances can spread over a long distance around the area, which is also detrimental to good environmental conditions.
• The destruction of oil and gas pipes is also very dangerous, causing a large accumulation of harmful substances in the air.
• The destruction of such energy facilities as a result of an earthquake, such as thermal power plants and state regional power plants, can cause fires of enormous destructive proportions, capable of destroying the area for many kilometers around. The most terrible consequences of earthquakes occur when a nuclear power plant is destroyed.

The area where earthquakes occur does not have a uniform distribution. The main point or seismic belt where earthquakes often occur is in the Pacific Ocean. This belt covers Indonesia, the western coast of Central and South America, Japan, Iceland, Kamchatka, Hawaii, the Philippines, the Kuril Islands and Alaska.

The regions of the Eurasian belt are in second place in terms of seismic activity. It includes such mountain ranges as the Pyrenees, Caucasus, Tibet, Apennines, Himalayas, Altai, Pamir and Balkans.

A large number of earthquakes occur along fault lines and where plate collisions are most likely to occur, as well as in places where volcanoes are active.

Over the past ten years, the most destructive and powerful disasters have occurred in the following countries:

• India – more than 20 thousand victims.
• Iran - an entire city was razed to the ground and about 30 thousand people died.
• O. Sumatra - more than 200 thousand people became victims.
• Pakistan - more than 70 thousand dead.
• China – more than 80 thousand died
• Haiti – more than 200 thousand people became victims.
• Japan - the earthquake caused the death of about 30 thousand people and caused the destruction of nuclear power plants, which led to harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Where do earthquakes occur in Russia?

Russia also has a fairly large number of places where earthquakes periodically occur. The main seismically active points here are mountainous areas such as Kamchatka, Eastern Siberia, the Caucasus, and Altai. Also, quite often, similar catastrophes of fairly large scale were noticed on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, where tsunamis are also often formed due to earthquakes.

The most destructive and terrible in terms of the scale of casualties and destruction in recent years in Russia was the earthquake that occurred on the island of Sakhalin in 1995. The intensity of this disaster was almost 8 points, which contributed to the destruction of most of the city of Neftegorsk, where it occurred, and the death of more than two thousand people.

It is very important for every person to know the rules of behavior during an earthquake in order not to get confused at the most crucial moment and to try, if possible, to provide themselves and others with the maximum possible help. First of all, this applies to those people who permanently live or are temporarily located in seismically dangerous zones, who must always be prepared.

In order for an earthquake not to take all important documents and savings by surprise, a first aid kit, as well as a flashlight, must be stored in one place, and always keep in mind an approximate plan of action when you are in any of the possible places where you could be. Also, do not store heavy, sharp or nuclear-containing substances on top shelves and cabinets.

If you receive a message about a strong earthquake and the need to evacuate, if you are not at home and you have a small amount of time, you need to immediately go to your home, collect all the necessary documents and things, turn off the water, electricity and gas and close the doors. After which it is necessary to leave the populated area as soon as possible and go to a safer place.

During an earthquake, it is very important to pull yourself together, suppress panic and confusion, and try to act rationally, as quickly and productively as possible, in order to have a greater chance of saving yourself from damage. First of all, if you are indoors, you should try to get out of the premises as soon as possible, while capturing and, if possible, going to a more open area where there is no electricity, buildings or trees nearby. If you exit from higher floors, it is better to do so by stairs rather than by elevator.

If you cannot leave the premises, you must find the safest place in it. This could be a place near a load-bearing wall that is not overloaded with objects, a doorway, or under a strong table or bed that will be able to protect from falling objects. Under no circumstances should you stand near windows, shelves or heavy objects; you should also not use gas or electricity.

If there are children near you, first of all you need to try to calm them down, find them a secluded place, or, if you are in an open area, under no circumstances let them out of sight and keep them close to you.

If an earthquake finds you in a car, you also need to try to find a more open area, not cluttered with poles, various plantings and billboards intended for advertising, stop the car, open the door and stay in it until the tremors are over.

The strongest earthquakes throughout human history have caused colossal material damage and caused a huge number of casualties among the population. The first mention of tremors dates back to 2000 BC.
And despite the achievements of modern science and the development of technology, no one can still predict the exact time when the elements will strike, so quick and timely evacuation of people often becomes impossible.

Earthquakes are natural disasters that kill the most people, much more than, for example, hurricanes or typhoons.
In this rating we will talk about the 12 most powerful and destructive earthquakes in human history.

12. Lisbon

On November 1, 1755, a powerful earthquake occurred in the capital of Portugal, the city of Lisbon, later called the Great Lisbon Earthquake. A terrible coincidence was that on November 1 - All Saints' Day, thousands of residents gathered for mass in the churches of Lisbon. These churches, like other buildings throughout the city, could not withstand the powerful shocks and collapsed, burying thousands of unfortunates under their rubble.

Then a 6-meter tsunami wave rushed into the city, covering the surviving people rushing in panic through the streets of destroyed Lisbon. The destruction and loss of life were colossal! As a result of the earthquake, which lasted no more than 6 minutes, the tsunami it caused and numerous fires that engulfed the city, at least 80,000 residents of the Portuguese capital died.

Many famous figures and philosophers touched on this deadly earthquake in their works, for example, Immanuel Kant, who tried to find a scientific explanation for such a large-scale tragedy.

11. San Francisco

On April 18, 1906, at 5:12 am, powerful tremors shook sleeping San Francisco. The force of the tremors was 7.9 points and as a result of the strongest earthquake in the city, 80% of the buildings were destroyed.

After the first count of the dead, authorities reported 400 victims, but later their number increased to 3,000 people. However, the main damage to the city was caused not by the earthquake itself, but by the monstrous fire it caused. As a result, more than 28,000 buildings throughout San Francisco were destroyed, with property damage amounting to more than $400 million at the exchange rate of that time.
Many residents themselves set fire to their dilapidated houses, which were insured against fire, but not against earthquakes.

10. Messina

The largest earthquake in Europe was the earthquake in Sicily and Southern Italy, when on December 28, 1908, as a result of powerful tremors measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, according to various experts, from 120 to 200,000 people died.
The epicenter of the disaster was the Strait of Messina, located between the Apennine Peninsula and Sicily; the city of Messina suffered the most, where practically not a single surviving building remained. A huge tsunami wave, caused by tremors and amplified by an underwater landslide, also caused a lot of destruction.

Documented fact: rescuers were able to pull two exhausted, dehydrated, but alive children from the rubble, 18 days after the disaster struck! The numerous and extensive destructions were caused primarily by the poor quality of buildings in Messina and other parts of Sicily.

Russian sailors of the Imperial Navy provided invaluable assistance to the residents of Messina. The ships as part of the training group sailed in the Mediterranean Sea and on the day of the tragedy ended up in the port of Augusta in Sicily. Immediately after the tremors, sailors organized a rescue operation and thanks to their brave actions, thousands of residents were saved.

9. Haiyuan

One of the deadliest earthquakes in human history was the devastating earthquake that struck Haiyuan County, part of Gansu Province, on December 16, 1920.
Historians estimate that at least 230,000 people died that day. The force of the tremors was such that entire villages disappeared into the faults of the earth’s crust, and large cities such as Xi’an, Taiyuan and Lanzhou were greatly damaged. Incredibly, strong waves formed after the disaster were recorded even in Norway.

Modern researchers believe that the death toll was much higher and totaled at least 270,000 people. At that time, this was 59% of the population of Haiyuan County. Several tens of thousands of people died from the cold after their homes were destroyed by the elements.

8. Chile

The earthquake in Chile on May 22, 1960, considered the strongest earthquake in the history of seismology, measured 9.5 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was so powerful that it caused tsunami waves more than 10 meters high, which covered not only the coast of Chile, but also caused enormous damage to the city of Hilo in Hawaii, and some of the waves reached the coasts of Japan and the Philippines.

More than 6,000 people died, most of whom were hit by the tsunami, and the destruction was unimaginable. 2 million people were left homeless and the damage amounted to more than $500 million. In some areas of Chile, the impact of the tsunami wave was so strong that many houses were carried away 3 km inland.

7. Alaska

On March 27, 1964, the most powerful earthquake in American history occurred in Alaska. The magnitude of the earthquake was 9.2 on the Richter scale and this earthquake was the strongest since the disaster struck Chile in 1960.
129 people died, of which 6 were victims of tremors, the rest were washed away by a huge tsunami wave. The disaster caused the greatest destruction in Anchorage, and tremors were recorded in 47 US states.

6. Kobe

The Kobe earthquake in Japan on January 16, 1995 was one of the most destructive in history. Tremors with a magnitude of 7.3 began at 05:46 am local time and continued for several days. As a result, more than 6,000 people died and 26,000 were injured.

The damage caused to the city's infrastructure was simply enormous. More than 200,000 buildings were destroyed, 120 of the 150 berths in the port of Kobe were destroyed, and there was no power supply for several days. The total damage from the disaster was about $200 billion, which at that time was 2.5% of Japan's total GDP.

Not only government services rushed to help the affected residents, but also the Japanese mafia - the Yakuza, whose members delivered water and food to those affected by the disaster.

5. Sumatra

On December 26, 2004, a powerful tsunami that hit the shores of Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other countries was caused by a devastating earthquake measuring 9.1 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the tremors was in the Indian Ocean, near the island of Simeulue, off the northwestern coast of Sumatra. The earthquake was unusually large; the earth's crust shifted at a distance of 1200 km.

The height of the tsunami waves reached 15-30 meters and, according to various estimates, from 230 to 300,000 people became victims of the disaster, although the exact number of deaths is impossible to calculate. Many people were simply washed into the ocean.
One of the reasons for such a number of victims was the lack of an early warning system in the Indian Ocean, with which it was possible to inform the local population of the approaching tsunami.

4. Kashmir

On October 8, 2005, the worst earthquake to hit South Asia in a century occurred in the Pakistani-controlled region of Kashmir. The strength of the tremors was 7.6 on the Richter scale, which is comparable to the San Francisco earthquake in 1906.
As a result of the disaster, according to official data, 84,000 people died, according to unofficial data, more than 200,000. Rescue efforts have been hampered by military conflict between Pakistan and India in the region. Many villages were completely wiped off the face of the earth, and the city of Balakot in Pakistan was completely destroyed. In India, 1,300 people became victims of the earthquake.

3. Haiti

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale occurred in Haiti. The main blow fell on the capital of the state - the city of Port-au-Prince. The consequences were terrible: almost 3 million people were left homeless, all hospitals and thousands of residential buildings were destroyed. The number of victims was simply enormous, according to various estimates from 160 to 230,000 people.

Criminals who had escaped from a prison destroyed by the elements poured into the city; cases of looting, robberies and robberies became frequent on the streets. Material damage from the earthquake is estimated at 5.6 billion dollars.

Despite the fact that many countries - Russia, France, Spain, Ukraine, the USA, Canada and dozens of others - provided all possible assistance in eliminating the consequences of the disaster in Haiti, more than five years after the earthquake, more than 80,000 people still live in improvised camps for refugees.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and this natural disaster has dealt an irreparable blow to the economy and living standards of its citizens.

2. Earthquake in Japan

On March 11, 2011, the strongest earthquake in Japanese history occurred in the Tohoku region. The epicenter was located east of the island of Honshu and the strength of the tremors was 9.1 on the Richter scale.
As a result of the disaster, the nuclear power plant in the city of Fukushima was severely damaged and power units at reactors 1, 2, and 3 were destroyed. Many areas became uninhabitable as a result of radioactive radiation.

After underwater tremors, a huge tsunami wave covered the coast and destroyed thousands of administrative and residential buildings. More than 16,000 people died, 2,500 are still considered missing.

The material damage was also colossal - more than $100 billion. And given that the complete restoration of the destroyed infrastructure may take years, the amount of damage may increase several times.

1. Spitak and Leninakan

There are many tragic dates in the history of the USSR, and one of the most famous is the earthquake that shook the Armenian SSR on December 7, 1988. Powerful tremors in just half a minute almost completely destroyed the northern part of the republic, capturing the territory where more than 1 million inhabitants lived.

The consequences of the disaster were monstrous: the city of Spitak was almost completely wiped off the face of the Earth, Leninakan was severely damaged, more than 300 villages were destroyed and 40% of the republic’s industrial capacity was destroyed. More than 500 thousand Armenians were left homeless, according to various estimates, from 25,000 to 170,000 residents died, 17,000 citizens remained disabled.
111 states and all republics of the USSR provided assistance in the restoration of destroyed Armenia.

It seems that natural disasters happen once every hundred years, and our vacation in one or another exotic country lasts only a few days.

Frequency of earthquakes of different magnitudes in the world per year

• 1 earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 or higher
• 10 – with a magnitude of 7.0 – 7.9 points
• 100 – with a magnitude of 6.0 – 6.9 points
• 1000 - with a magnitude of 5.0 - 5.9 points

Earthquake intensity scale

Mexico City, Mexico

One of the world's most populous cities is known for its insecurity. In the 20th century, this part of Mexico felt the force of more than forty earthquakes, the magnitude of which exceeded 7 points on the Richter scale. In addition, the soil under the city is saturated with water, which makes high-rise buildings vulnerable in the event of natural disasters.

The most destructive earthquakes occurred in 1985, when about 10,000 people died. In 2012, the epicenter of the earthquake was in the southeastern part of Mexico, but vibrations were well felt in Mexico City and Guatemala, about 200 houses were destroyed.

The years 2013 and 2014 were also marked by high seismic activity in different parts of the country. Despite all this, Mexico City is still attractive to tourists due to its picturesque landscapes and numerous monuments of ancient culture.

Concepcion, Chile

Chile's second largest city, Concepción, located in the heart of the country near Santiago, regularly falls victim to tremors. In 1960, the famous Great Chilean earthquake with the highest magnitude in history, magnitude 9.5, destroyed this popular Chilean resort, as well as Valdivia, Puerto Montt, etc.

In 2010, the epicenter was again located near Concepción, about one and a half thousand houses were destroyed, and in 2013 the outbreak sank to a depth of 10 km off the coast of central Chile (magnitude 6.6 points). However, today Concepcion does not lose popularity among both seismologists and tourists.

Interestingly, the elements have haunted Concepcion for a long time. At the beginning of its history, it was located in Penko, but due to a series of destructive tsunamis in 1570, 1657, 1687, 1730, the city was moved just south of its previous location.

Ambato, Ecuador

Today, Ambato attracts travelers with its mild climate, beautiful landscapes, parks and gardens, and massive fruit and vegetable fairs. Ancient buildings from the colonial era are intricately combined here with new buildings.

Several times this young city, located in central Ecuador, two and a half hours from the capital Quito, was destroyed by earthquakes. The most powerful tremors were in 1949, which leveled many buildings and claimed more than 5,000 lives.

Recently, seismic activity in Ecuador has continued: in 2010, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 occurred southeast of the capital and was felt throughout the country; in 2014, the epicenter moved to the Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador, however, in these two cases there were no casualties .

Los Angeles, USA

Predicting destructive earthquakes in Southern California is a favorite pastime of geological survey specialists. The fears are fair: the seismic activity in this area is associated with the San Andreas Fault, which runs along the Pacific coast across the state.

History remembers the powerful earthquake of 1906, which claimed 1,500 lives. In 2014, the sun twice survived tremors (magnitude 6.9 and 5.1), which affected the city with minor destruction of houses and severe headaches for residents.

True, no matter how much seismologists frighten with their warnings, the “city of angels” Los Angeles is always full of visitors, and the tourist infrastructure here is incredibly developed.

Tokyo, Japan

It is no coincidence that a Japanese proverb says: “Earthquakes, fires and father are the most terrible punishments.” As you know, Japan is located at the junction of two tectonic layers, the friction of which often causes both small and extremely destructive tremors.

For example, in 2011, the Sendai earthquake and tsunami near the island of Honshu (magnitude 9) led to the death of more than 15,000 Japanese. At the same time, Tokyo residents are already accustomed to the fact that several earthquakes of minor magnitude occur every year. Regular fluctuations only impress visitors.

Despite the fact that most buildings in the capital were built taking into account possible shocks, residents are defenseless in the face of powerful disasters.

Repeatedly throughout its history, Tokyo disappeared from the face of the earth and was rebuilt again. The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 turned the city into ruins, and 20 years later, rebuilt, it was destroyed by large-scale bombing by American air forces.

Wellington, New Zealand

The capital of New Zealand, Wellington, seems to be created for tourists: it has many cozy parks and squares, miniature bridges and tunnels, architectural monuments and unusual museums. People come here to take part in the grandiose Summer City Program festivals and admire the panoramas that became the film set for the Hollywood trilogy The Lord of the Rings.

Meanwhile, the city was and remains a seismically active zone, experiencing tremors of varying strength from year to year. In 2013, just 60 kilometers away, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck, causing power outages in many parts of the country.

In 2014, Wellington residents felt tremors in the northern part of the country (magnitude 6.3).

Cebu, Philippines

Earthquakes in the Philippines are a fairly common occurrence, which, of course, does not frighten those who like to lie on the white sand or snorkel in clear sea water. On average, more than 35 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0-5.9 points and one with a magnitude of 6.0-7.9 occur here per year.

Most of them are echoes of vibrations, the epicenters of which are located deep under water, which creates the danger of a tsunami. The 2013 earthquakes claimed more than 200 lives and caused serious damage in one of the most popular resorts in Cebu and other cities (magnitude 7.2).

Employees of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology are constantly monitoring this seismic zone, trying to predict future disasters.

Sumatra Island, Indonesia

Indonesia is rightfully considered the most seismically active region in the world. The westernmost one in the archipelago has become especially dangerous in recent years. It is located at the site of a powerful tectonic fault, the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire.”

The plate that forms the floor of the Indian Ocean is being squeezed under the Asian plate here as quickly as a human fingernail grows. The accumulated tension is released from time to time in the form of tremors.

Medan is the largest city on the island and the third most populous in the country. Two major earthquakes in 2013 seriously injured more than 300 local residents and damaged nearly 4,000 homes.

Tehran, Iran

Scientists have been predicting a catastrophic earthquake in Iran for a long time - the entire country is located in one of the most seismically active zones in the world. For this reason, the capital Tehran, home to more than 8 million people, was repeatedly planned to be moved.

The city is located on the territory of several seismic faults. An earthquake of magnitude 7 would destroy 90% of Tehran, whose buildings are not designed for such violent elements. In 2003, another Iranian city, Bam, was destroyed by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

Today Tehran is familiar to tourists as the largest Asian metropolis with many rich museums and majestic palaces. The climate allows you to visit it at any time of the year, which is not typical for all Iranian cities.

Chengdu, China

Chengdu is an ancient city, the center of the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan. Here they enjoy a comfortable climate, see numerous sights, and become immersed in the unique culture of China. From here they travel along tourist routes to the gorges of the Yangtze River, as well as to Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong and.

Recent events have reduced the number of visitors to the area. In 2013, the province experienced a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0, when more than 2 million people were affected and about 186 thousand houses were damaged.

Residents of Chengdu annually feel the effects of thousands of tremors of varying strength. In recent years, the western part of China has become especially dangerous in terms of seismic activity of the earth.

What to do in case of an earthquake

• If an earthquake catches you on the street, do not go near the eaves and walls of buildings that may fall. Stay away from dams, river valleys and beaches.
• If an earthquake strikes you in a hotel, open the doors to freely leave the building after the first series of tremors.
• During an earthquake, you should not run outside. Many deaths are caused by falling building debris.
• In case of a possible earthquake, it is worth preparing a backpack with everything you need for several days in advance. A first aid kit, drinking water, canned food, crackers, warm clothes, and washing supplies should be at hand.
• As a rule, in countries where earthquakes are a common occurrence, all local cellular operators have a system for alerting customers about an approaching disaster. While on vacation, be careful and observe the reaction of the local population.
• After the first shock there may be a lull. Therefore, all actions after it must be thoughtful and careful.

Earthquakes in Russia are a fairly common phenomenon. Of course, for residents of megacities and the central zone, this is rather an unfamiliar concept, but in other areas, in cities, events are held annually to help people react correctly in the event of such a disaster. For example, an earthquake of magnitude 3.2 occurred in Tuva at the end of 2011, and seismic activity in the area continues to this day.

Residents of the city are familiar with safety precautions firsthand and know perfectly well how to behave in such situations, but this does not diminish the constant stress that the population experiences, fearing for their lives and the safety of their loved ones.

What is an earthquake

In simple terms, these are vibrations of the Earth's surface, which are mainly caused by natural forces of nature. We will not consider such artificial stimuli as large explosions and other technical processes.

Earthquakes occupy a leading position in terms of their destructiveness. In the history of mankind there are many examples of the destructive power of nature. Billions of victims around the world and consequences that completely disrupted the entire infrastructure of cities and even entire countries. Earthquakes usually occur in mountainous areas, at the junction of Kamchatka, Altai, the Caucasus and Eastern Siberia. The leaders in the ranking of those affected by such disasters are undoubtedly Kamchatka, Altai, the Caucasus and Eastern Siberia. Of course, this is not the entire list of settlements prone to tremors. Some cities periodically experience seismic activity, but these phenomena remain invisible to residents.

Types of earthquakes

Today, experts distinguish three types of earthquakes:

1. Volcanic - volcanic eruptions.
2. Man-made earthquakes are strong explosions that cause shifts in underground plates.
3. Technogenic - tremors that are caused by human life processes.

How is an earthquake measured?

Earth tremors are measured by a special device - a seismograph, which with extreme accuracy not only measures the power of tremors, but also predicts how strong the slabs will be.

There is a generally accepted world scale, which consists of 12 points:

1 point. An almost imperceptible earthquake, since the ground vibration is minimal and cannot be felt.

2 points. A rather weak phenomenon that can only be felt when in a calm environment. Only some people are able to sense it.

3 points. A weak earthquake, manifested by vibrations that are more noticeable to others.

4 points. A moderate phenomenon, noticeable to all people.

5 points. A fairly strong earthquake that provokes the movement of objects in the room.

6 points (strong). Fairly strong shocks can cause minor damage to buildings.

7 points. A very strong earthquake, causing more severe destruction of buildings.

8 points. A destructive phenomenon that can destroy even the most powerful structures.

9 points. A devastating earthquake. There are severe landslides in the mountains, and people in cities cannot stand on their feet.

10 points. Destructive earthquakes can lead to the complete destruction of a populated area, turning everything in its path into ruins, including roads and all kinds of communications.

11 points. Catastrophe.

12 points. A severe disaster in which it is impossible to survive. The relief changes completely, strong splits are observed, huge depressions, craters and much more appear.

Causes of earthquakes

Major earthquakes in Russia and other countries of the world occur due to collision. For example, in the Caucasus there is the Arabian Plate, which gradually moves north towards the Eurasian Plate, which, in turn, periodically collides with the Pacific Plate located in Kamchatka. Speaking of the Kamchatka Territory, earthquakes in this area are also influenced by volcanic activity, during which fairly strong tremors are observed.

Signs of earthquakes

Throughout the history of such phenomena, scientists have been able to identify the main signs of an incipient catastrophe. Earthquakes in Russia usually started after the following things:

What earthquakes happened in Russia

Russia has suffered more than once from severe earthquakes. The landscape of our country is large and varied, as are the climatic zones. Seismically active areas are located mainly in Sakhalin and the Kamchatka Territory.

Sakhalin

On May 28, 1995, the village of Neftegorsk was destroyed on Sakhalin. On the scale, the power of the disaster was 7.5 points and 10 points at the epicenter of the earthquake. In a matter of hours, Sakhalin Neftegorsk, which at that time had 3,200 inhabitants, was simply erased from the surface of the earth. Only 400 people survived the disaster, 150 of whom subsequently died in hospitals from their injuries. This is the last earthquake of such magnitude in Russia, which has truly become the most tragic event not only for Sakhalin, but for the entire country.

As eyewitnesses later recalled, the real horror was not during the earthquake itself, but after. Many victims were buried under the ruins of their own homes and gradually suffocated in intense agony.

The surviving residents of the village left for the mainland and tried to start life “after the earthquake.” This disaster was the worst in the last 100 years. In the last century, in 1952, a tsunami occurred on Sakhalin caused by an earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, which wiped out the city of Severo-Kurilsk.

Kamchatka

Earthquakes in Russia mostly occur in the Kamchatka Territory. In the center of the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes is the Nameless Sopka with a height of 3085 meters. It was always considered a long-extinct volcano, so the earthquake that began in the morning of 1955 was a complete surprise.

The Klyuchi volcanic station, located 45 kilometers from the volcanoes, recorded huge clouds of white smoke. A few days later, the height of the volcanic emissions was already more than eight kilometers.

Throughout November, residents of the region observed strong lightning strikes, and the surface of the earth was completely covered in ash. In less than 29 days, the volcano's crater expanded by 550 meters. Unfortunately, this was only preparation for the disaster that occurred on March 30, 1956. Such earthquakes were not new in Russia, so no one evacuated in the hope that the awakened volcano would subside, especially after its activity decreased in late November.

In 1956, the pressure in the volcano reached a critical point. Within 15 minutes, the giant erupted a huge pillar of fire, which leaned towards the east at an angle of 30 degrees. Reaching a height of 24 kilometers, this column of fire and black smoke literally covered the sky. 20 kilometers from the volcano, trees were either uprooted or burned at lightning speed. The thickness of hot sand and lava that fell from the sky caused the snow to quickly melt. Powerful mud flows rushed down, carrying with them fragments of rocks and stones, demolishing everything in their path.

The volcanologists' base was literally wiped off the face of the earth; fortunately, there were no scientists there at that time. Professor Gorshkov said that if this flow had rushed in a different direction, the entire populated area would have been destroyed and would have become one of the saddest examples of earthquakes in Russia.

Kamchatka is the most dangerous region not even because there are a large number of volcanoes on its territory, but because in the event of a disaster, most residents will literally remain trapped surrounded by mountains.

Tuva

In 2012, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 was recorded near Kyzyl. This phenomenon began at 7:30 am. Since the disaster was not so strong, there were no casualties.

Earthquake statistics in Russia include a phenomenon that occurred in the same region on December 27, 2011, when its power was 9.5 at the epicenter and 6.7 in other areas. Seismic activity continued until the end of February 2012, when a shock of magnitude 6.5 occurred. Fortunately, the epicenter was located more than 100 kilometers from populated areas. Nevertheless, tremors were felt in Buryatia, the Irkutsk region, as well as in Khakassia and the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The map of earthquakes in Russia contains all the main regions most susceptible to seismic activity, including Kyzyl.

In addition, specialists update all data monthly. Rocks are taken as samples and carefully studied. Based on these studies, volcanologists can roughly predict in which areas such phenomena are possible.