Second quake hits Oxford Sun.
by Stephanie Betts
DM Staff Reporter
May 04, 2005
A mild earthquake hit Oxford early Sunday morning.
The earthquake's epicenter was in Arkansas, sending aftershocks
throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi.
The quake, which registered a 4.1 on the Richter scale, occurred around
7:30 a.m. in Mississippi County, four miles south of Manila, Ark., and
14 miles west of Blytheville, Ark.
According to local experts, approximately 30 Oxonians responded to the
quake, leaving some residents to think of ways to protect their homes
and families from future shocks.
Earthquakes occur when blocks of rock underneath the ground move,
causing a great amount of energy to release and radiate in all
directions in a matter of seconds, according to Terry Panhorst,
assistant professor of geology and geological engineering.
The distance in which the earthquake travels is used along with
specialized instruments to measure the magnitude of a quake.
Researchers say this particular earthquake is one of potentially three
quakes that have come about in the past year in the New Madrid Seismic
Zone.
Charles Swann, staff geologist at Mississippi Mineral Resources Center
and Center for Community Earthquake Preparedness, said the Madrid fault
line caused some of the biggest earthquakes in the southern United
States back in 1811 and 1812.
"Though we can't predict when earthquakes will happen, we can
estimate where earthquakes are most prone to occur," Swan said.
"The Madrid fault line may fracture again. Our job at the CCEP is to
be as prepared as possible so the aftermath will be less damaging."
The CCEP is a research center at the university that performs research
projects designed to investigate activities that assist communities
that are targeted for natural disasters.
The center increases the public's awareness in earthquake mitigation
by working together with emergency management personnel, community
planners and business leaders.
Panhorst, who also works as a researcher for CCEP, urges people to
always have a survival kit handy in their home in case of a natural
disaster.
The kit should have enough provisions to last for 72 hours and include
the necessities of water, canned and dried food, battery-operated
radio, extra batteries, medicine, toiletries, flashlight and first-aid
kit.
In the unlikely event of an earthquake, all heavy things that are
either hung on the walls or vibrate should be bolted and secured.
In a press release, Swann said that water heaters have the potential to
cause devastating fires and should also be fastened so they can't
fall. Electricity and water valves should be shut off as well.
"Just as the Mississippi coast prepares for hurricane season,
communities across the area must prepare for earthquakes," Swann
said. "Injuries and damages can be minimized as long as people are
willing to take the time to protect themselves."
According to Panhorst, during a tremor the best thing to do is to take
cover underneath something sturdy, such as a table or chair.
One should seek immediate shelter within the home, resorting to the
most centralized locations, such as a bathroom or closet.
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