The coast of Peru was hit by a powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake on 15 August 2007 at 6.41pm (2341 GMT) and lasted for a few minutes. At least 337 people were killed and hundreds were injured. All except one of the deaths were in Ica, approximately 265km south of Lima (capital of Peru).
During the tremors in Lima, buildings shook violently, which prompted residents to go on the streets. The government sent three cabinet ministers to the area that was affected the most. Traffic in Lima came to a stop as buildings shook violently and hundreds scurried onto the streets. Berenice, a resident of Lima, said that this earthquake was the strongest one she had ever felt. But the force of the earthquake was felt nearer to the southern part of Ica where roads were destroyed and power supplies were cut. 17 people was killed while attending evening mass in the Senor de Luren church in Ica when it collapsed.
The government was asked to give tents, medicine, help and blankets by the mayor of Ica as the weather was very cold at that time. Police were ordered to keep order in the streets by the president and schools were closed as buildings could be dangerous.
I think that everyone should be prepared during emergencies like these. Most importantly, people should not panic and just stay calm and follow instructions. We should also build buildings that are stronger and can withstand earthquakes. This way, people in buildings will have time to evacuate from the buildings before they collapse.
CRUSTAL PLATE MOVEMENTS
The plates move very slowly beside each other. In some cases, the plates are locked together and potential energy is stored in the locked plates. When the plates give, an earthquake, a form of stored energy, is released.
During the tremors in Lima, buildings shook violently, which prompted residents to go on the streets. The government sent three cabinet ministers to the area that was affected the most. Traffic in Lima came to a stop as buildings shook violently and hundreds scurried onto the streets. Berenice, a resident of Lima, said that this earthquake was the strongest one she had ever felt. But the force of the earthquake was felt nearer to the southern part of Ica where roads were destroyed and power supplies were cut. 17 people was killed while attending evening mass in the Senor de Luren church in Ica when it collapsed.
The government was asked to give tents, medicine, help and blankets by the mayor of Ica as the weather was very cold at that time. Police were ordered to keep order in the streets by the president and schools were closed as buildings could be dangerous.
I think that everyone should be prepared during emergencies like these. Most importantly, people should not panic and just stay calm and follow instructions. We should also build buildings that are stronger and can withstand earthquakes. This way, people in buildings will have time to evacuate from the buildings before they collapse.
CRUSTAL PLATE MOVEMENTS
The plates move very slowly beside each other. In some cases, the plates are locked together and potential energy is stored in the locked plates. When the plates give, an earthquake, a form of stored energy, is released.
Bibliography
Website - BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4126809.stm, extracted 25-02-2010
Website - BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6948888.stm#anchor, extracted 25-02-2010
By: Jolyn Seet (14)
Sec. 1 Purity
