Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

On Earthquake Preparedness in Israel

Dr. Avi Shapira

Chairman of the Steering Committee

2m

Marco et al. 1997

Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

HISTORICAL EVIDENCE In the sparsely populated Levant region, the disasters following earthquakes killed thousands of people. All the towns and cities in the region suffered heavy destruction at least once. The towns on the coast have experienced Tsunamis.

Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee Jan. 1837 The Roam fault. Magnitude 6.5-7.0. About 7000 victims. Total destruction in the Galilee especially Zaffed, Tiberias, Acre, Nablus, Nazareth and Zur.
Oct. 1759 The Baka Valley, M>6.5. More than 3000 victims in the towns and villages of Lebanon, the Galilee and the Damascus region. Tsunami in Acre. Jan. 1546 Jordan Valley. M>6. Hundreds killed in Nablus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Hebron, Gaza, Ramla, Jaffa. Tsunami in Jaffas port. May 1202 Hula valley, M>=7, More than 30000 people killed and heavy damages in the populated areas of the Levant.

1837

1759 1202

749 1927 363

Bet Shean 749

1068

Ministry of National Infrastructures National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

Instrumental Seismicity 1900-2007

Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee
In 1999, following the earthquake catastrophe in Turkey, The Israeli government formed a Ministerial Cabinet and the interministerial earthquake preparedness committee; Advisory body to the ministerial cabinet. Steering committee and coordinator of government ministries to improve the level of earthquake preparedness of the state of Israel. Professional advisor to the emergency response organizations and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of the Ministry of Defense.

Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

EARTHQUAKES DO NOT KILL ,

BUILDINGS DO !
Seismic hazard and risk assessments. Codes and regulations for new buildings and constructions. Strengthening existing building. (Financial incentives) Public Awareness. Training engineers.

Development and implementation of new engineering technologies.

FOCUS ON PREVENSION AND MITIGATION RATHER THAN ON RESPONSE

Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

FAIL TO PREPARE ? - PREPARE FOR THE DISASTER !

During the first hours NOBODY will come for help. Organize the local communities.
95% of the survivors are rescued by passing-by people. Train people for elementary rescue operations and medical help. Aftershocks prevent people from occupying their houses - Train engineers to evaluate the safety of buildings.

Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

Damage can be reduced- Casualties must be avoided !

Issue guidelines We are privileged to have in-house shelters when we can not get out immediately. Recently, developing special Seismic Shelters in classrooms. Installing Real Time Alarm Systems. Impose the installation of automatic valves on Gas containers. And more .

Ministry of National Infrastructures

National Earthquake Preparedness Committee

No Prediction but Possible real time warning

Propagation time of P waves

6-8 km/sec

3-4 km/sec

Warning time

Dangerous shaking

Jerusalem July 11, 1927

Thank you !