What causes Earthquakes?

This morning New Zealand experienced a huge earthquake.  Our thoughts are with the people in the South Island and Wellington.

What causes earthquakes?




How to keep safe in an Earthquake!

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

• If you are inside a building, move no more than a few steps, drop, cover and hold. Stay indoors till the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. In most buildings in New Zealand you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops.
• If you are in an elevator, drop, cover and hold. When the shaking stops, try and get out at the nearest floor if you can safely do so.
• If you are outdoors when the shaking starts, move no more than a few steps away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, then Drop, Cover and Hold.
• If you are at the beach or near the coast, drop, cover and hold then move to higher ground immediately in case a tsunami follows the quake.
• If you are driving, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.
• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling debris or landslides.

Here is Room 8 practising how to be safe in an earthquake:

Drop, Cover and Hold