Earthquake and Landslide
Earthquake
- Earthquakes are the vibrations caused by rocks breaking under stress. Earthquakes in Australia are usually caused by movements along faults as a result of compression in the Earth’s crust.
- Earthquakes are unpredictable and strike without warning. They can occur at anytime of the day and any time of the year. They range in strength from slight tremors to great shocks lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Earthquakes can cause:
- Damage to the electricity and telecommunication networks caused by fallen powerlines.
- Broken or split sewer and water mains
- Damage to roads and bridges that may make them unsafe to drive on.
- Landslides.
- Destruction or damage to buildings making them unstable and unsafe.
What are the local risks?
Most of Australia is rated as having a “low risk” status, however earthquakes occur within the Bundaberg Region more often than you would think. Earthquakes experienced in recent history have been located within rural areas and not caused damage to property or put lives at risk however it is important to be aware of the dangers associated with earthquakes and what to do if one should occur.
Secondary impacts associated with earthquakes include tsunamis and landslides.
Warnings
There may be little if any warning of an impending earthquake – it is possible you will feel it before emergency services know it is going to happen.
How to prepare
- Listen for warnings and alerts
- Prepare your emergency plan, emergency kit, evacuation kit
- Prepare your home
- Prepare your business
- Prepare your pets
- Get to know your neighbours
What to do during
- Stay informed. Tune your battery-operated radio into ABC 100.1 FM
- Listen for warnings and alerts and follow any instructions given.
- If indoors – stay there (clear of falling debris outside).
- Keep clear of windows, chimneys and overhead fittings. Shelter under and hold onto a door frame, strong table or bench.
- In high-rise buildings, stay clear of windows and outer walls. Shelter under a desk or near a pillar or internal wall.
- Do not use elevators.
- If outside, keep well clear of buildings, overhead structures, walls, bridges, powerlines and trees.
- In a vehicle – stop in an open area until the shaking stops.
After the event
- Expect aftershocks.
- Pay attention to all warnings.
- Do not go sightseeing.
- Check and offer help to neighbours, friends and family.
- Turn off electricity, gas and water. Do not light matches until after you have checked for gas or fuel leaks.
Landslide
A landslide can be sudden and fast moving, shifting tonnes of earth, mud and rock. They can be caused by a major event such as an earthquake, however in Queensland, landslides are generally caused by heavy rain. The impact of a landslide can be extensive, including destruction of infrastructure, damage to land, loss of natural resources and, in extreme circumstances, loss of life.
What are the local risks?
Landslides can be triggered by natural causes or by human activity. They are not a common occurrence or a major threat in the Bundaberg region. Be aware of the area you live in – is it close to a hillslope, cliff or steep rocky area? Is there a history of landslides? If you live in such an area and there has been a period of heavy rain, you may be at risk.
Warnings
Emergency Services may have little or no warning of a landslide.
How to prepare
- Monitor environmental conditions such as rainfall, erosion and earthquakes that could increase the risk of landslides.
- Monitor movement of structures such as decks and patios, sticking doors or windows, tilting or cracking concrete floors and foundations, leaning poles, trees, retaining walls or fences.
- Prepare your emergency plan, emergency kit, evacuation kit
- Prepare your home
- Prepare your business
- Prepare your pets
- Get to know your neighbours
What to do during
- Follow any instructions from emergency services.
- If indoors – shelter at the least-affected end of the building under a strong table or bench (if possible, use a mattress for extra protection). Hold on firmly and stay put until all land movement has stopped.
- If outdoors and a landslide threatens, move quickly from its path and keep clear of banks, trees, powerlines and poles.
- If it safe to do so, leave the area and go quickly to your agreed safer location.
- Advise neighbours and emergency services of the slip threat.
After the event
- Pay attention to all warnings.
- Stay away from the slip area – there may be danger of additional slips.
- Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow.
- If safe to do so, check for injured and trapped people near the slip and alert emergency services.
- Look for and report broken utility lines, damaged roads to the appropriate organisation.
- Check and offer help to neighbours, friends and family.