EMERGENCY ACTION PLANNING > Blog > Natural Disaster > Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire
This week’s Ring of Fire events are centered in Southern Japan. Multiple Earthquakes ranging from 4.7 to 7 on the Richter scale have rocked Japan over the last few days. Earthquakes arrive unannounced unlike winter storms and Hurricanes, the best way to mitigate the risks is to prepare prior to the event, not after.
The Ring of Fire is an area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. In a 40,000 km (25,000 mi) horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and/or plate movements. It has 452 volcanoes (more than 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes). [1] The Ring of Fire is sometimes called the circum-Pacific belt.
About 90% [2] of the world’s earthquakes and 81% [3] of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. The next most seismically active region (5–6% of earthquakes and 17% of the world’s largest earthquakes) is the Alpide belt, which extends from Java to the northern Atlantic Ocean via the Himalayas and southern Europe.[4][5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Fire
Japan has been historically known to proactively mitigate Earthquake damage within its borders through aggressive building codes and public education. Anyone who has watched the news has seen that the Japanese people react calmly during and after the initial shocks have hit their areas. This is because the Japanese People have been educated on the subject of Earthquake survival. This education begins in elementary school.
Reviewing a general High School curriculum shows that Disaster Mitigation Education is integrated throughout the curriculum. This integration of Disaster Mitigation Education within its culture develops a survival mindset. http://www.hyogo-c.ed.jp/~maiko-hs/e/DM_edu/new_bosai_edu_e.htm
Maybe this is why the current death toll and injuries are so low compared to the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989
The Japanese culture of disaster mitigation is in deep contrast to the American antipathy of preparing for anything that does not provide immediate self-gratification. The United States has repeatedly proven to have a reaction centrist after the disaster mindset when it comes to dealing with emergencies and disasters.
Reviewing our political culture shows us that our politicians are content providing “We the Sheeple” a constant cultural identity of the Victim needing to be rescued.
Stupidity is an elemental force for which no earthquake is a match. – Karl Kraus
An interesting video I located while searching for material for this post relates to Los Angeles, CA and what the politicians are dreading there. I recommend that you look at it; http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2015/08/27/maevewest-leading-after-disaster-origwx-gr.cnn/video/playlists/strong-quakes-around-the-world/
Of note in this three minute short is that the Mayor, Eric Garcetti at no time mentions educating the public on surviving a major earthquake in the Los Angeles basin. Rightfully he is concerned with maintaining the infrastructure. Listen carefully, he already knows the city will be lost.
My thoughts and prayers go out to my family and loved ones living on the West Coast. I hope the recent events in Japan will spur many to pull their heads out of their back-sides and get their Emergency Action Plan in place before it will be needed. If you haven’t done so yet, go to; https://www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guideand get started now.
Till next time
“Be Safe”