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aftershock
A smaller earthquake following the main shock of a large earthquake.
civil defence
Steps taken by organised community groups for the protection of life and property in the event of a natural disaster.
earthquake
A sudden movement of the Earth's crust caused by the release of stress accumulated along geologic faults or by volcanic activity.
emergency
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
emergency plan
The steps to take to reduce risk to yourself, your family and your property in the event of a natural disaster.
emergency services
The public organizations that respond to and deal with emergencies when they occur, especially the ambulance service, the police, and the fire brigade.
emergency supplies
A package of basic tools and supplies prepared in advance as an aid to survival in an emergency.
fault
A break in rock across which there is observable movement.
flood
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry.
infrastructure
The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society.
landslide
Movement of soil, rock and debris down a slope.
magnitude
A measure of the energy released by an earthquake at its source. Magnitude is commonly determined from the shaking recorded on a seismograph. Each unit of magnitude on the scale represents a substantial increase in energy, for example a magnitude 6 releases 30 times more energy than a magnitude 5.
NEMA
National Emergency Management Agency. Provides leadership in reducing risk, being ready for, responding to and recovering from emergencies.
Pacific Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire is a major 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.
Seismograph
The chart made to record the ground movement of an earthquake detected by a seismometer.
storm
A disturbance of the atmosphere that can cause strong winds, rain, thunder, lightning, heavy snow and rough seas.
tectonic plates
Blocks of the Earth's continental and oceanic crust that move, float, and sometimes fracture. Their interaction causes continental drift, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and oceanic trenches.
tsunami
A series of powerful ocean surges caused by a large volume of the ocean floor being displaced – often by an undersea earthquake or landslide.
volcano
A volcano is a vent at the Earth's surface through which magma and volcanic gases erupt. It is also the cone built by effusive and phreatic eruptions.
