Living in an earthquake-prone country

About one month has passed since the latest powerful earthquake in Nepal. The scenes from Nepal look total devastation. It must be an unbelievably tough test of courage and perseverance for Nepalese. Nepal and its people are in my prayers and thoughts.

Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, Japan, of which epicenter was northern Awaji-shima Island showed how devastating when a powerful earthquake hit a large city.  Kobe people were totally unprepared believing big earthquake wouldn't strike Kobe.

Photos are from my latest overnight trip to Awaji-shima Island.
When my husband and I travel together, we tend to invite rain against weather forecast.

The layers of mountains and shore of Shikoku seen from the south of the island.

Source, here

Awaji-shima is linked with Tokushima Pref., Shikoku, by Onaruto Bridge

and is linked with Kobe by Akashi Ohashi Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge.

Main industries are dairy farming  (dairy cattle and beef cow for Kobe Beef), growing flowers...

.... agriculture (rice, onions, lettuce, and other vegetables)...

... fisheries  (sea bream, abalone, turban shell, sand eel, wakame see weed, and “Torafugu”, a kind of globefish, farming)

.... tourism for Naruto Whirlpools, Awaji Puppet Theater Company, natural beauties, and many others.

Southern port of Fukura

Preserved Nojima Fault at Hokutan-cho Earthquake Memorial Park
 shows how the movement in the ground cuts across roads, hedges and other installations.

Many lessons were learned from the Great Hanshin Earthquake. A reassessment of the building regulations for both private residences and public offices as well as transport infrastructure were enforced. The newly built constructions are earthquake proof. The damages to newly constructed buildings would be slight thanks to the latest technology, massive shock absorber or another method which allows the base of a building to move semi-independently to its superstructure, reducing the shaking caused by quakes.  For those trapped, almost all the local governments have blankets and earthquake emergency kits, including dry rations, drinking water, basic medical supplies. At schools, children go through earthquake drills regularly. It’s much better than having air-raid drills, anyway.

It’s almost impossible to perfectly predict and avoid earthquakes but possible to minimize damages if you prepare well and are determined to protect yourself.  So, what will you do when you feel a big tremor?  Go head-first under the table or desk. Most of injuries are from falling objects. The first thing to do is to look to your own safety.  Stay calm and act steadily.

When you’re at home, try to turn off gas just after the quakes calm down. Don’t rush outdoors, but secure the exit in case.  A pair of slippers in the house is a help when you walk in the mess of the rooms.

When you have to go out, bring your emergency provisions with minimum belongings. Don’t use elevators. Pay attention to broken or dangling electric wires and be alert for aftershocks. Stay off from buildings and walls to avoid falling debris like roof tiles, signboards, or broken windowpanes.

These are what to do beforehand: Check your home and improve anti-earthquake measures: Apply plastic films to windowpanes and cupboards to keep broken glass from falling: Don’t place large pieces of furniture in bedrooms or evacuation route: Store emergency provisions such as food, bottled water, for at least a week as well as flashlights, portable radios, a first-aid kit, and so on.

Flowers flow like the Milky Way at Awaji Hanasajiki overlooking the sea and meadows.

Situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", Japan is one of the most seismically active nations. Deadly earthquakes have shuttered the community periodically since the ancient times. I’m not over-worried like many other Japanese people but can’t help but have quiet despair or feel resignation to the will of Nature. My heart aches and is warmed up at the same time to see the people who are fragile in the powerful force of nature but resolute with light within when immersed in the darkness.