Another Warning Sign: Earthquakes in Israel

Another Warning Sign: Earthquakes in Israel

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By Sami Yechezkel, homeland defense expert

Earthquake in Japan, 2011 (123rf)
Earthquake in Japan, 2011 (123rf)

Yesterday afternoon there was another earthquake in Israel, 3.5 on the Richter scale. This latest quake joins other recent, local earthquakes.

At approximately 3 p.m. an earthquake was felt in the Kinneret and Galilee regions. Residents reported the quake was powerful enough to move objects inside homes. An earthquake can strike at any time, reaching its full force instantly. This requires authorities to understand that there’s a need for preparedness, both for civilians and for emergency response agencies.

The recent earthquakes could be felt in areas all across Israel. The authorities once more started to consider preparing for a full scale event, but it’s unclear whether there’s any continuity to these considerations – authorities may begin these fruitless discussions after each separate event, starting from scratch. The previous earthquake was felt in the Mount Hebron region, Azur and Arad. There were no casualties or damage reported.

IHLS – Israel Homeland Security

During October 2013 five separate events were recorded in the Kinneret region, reaching up to 3.6 on the Richter scale. Quakes were felt around Ginosar, Carmiel, Nazareth Illit and the Golan Heights. Many other quakes were recorded in neighboring states as well, including Lebanon. Israeli authorities have tried to assess the effect these events could have on the state.

A series of smaller quakes doesn’t necessarily mean that a larger event is approaching. Series of events happened before and will probably happen in the future. There’s a need for preparedness for natural disasters which could occur at any time, with little prior notice; this requires authorities to test their preparedness and their ability to handle such massive events.

When a person or an organization prepare themselves for emergencies they increase their chances of minimizing any sort of damage, whether to people or to material assets.