Buildings collapse in Turkey after big earthquake
What is the Richter scale?
The Richter scale measures how powerful an earthquake is, otherwise known as its magnitude. Scientists use a seismometer to record vibrations from the earthquakes which produces a seismograph.The earthquake will then be given a number on the Richter scale from 1-10.The Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS) is a more accurate way to measure earthquakes these days. It measures the amount of energy released which gives a more accurate measure of how powerful it is. The most powerful earthquake to ever be recorded was in Valdivia, Chile in 1960. It measured a magnitude of 9.5 and lasted for 10 minutes.
What should you do during an earthquake?
It's very unlikely you will experience a powerful earthquake in the UK, but if you're travelling abroad, it's good to know what to do if you ever find yourself in an earthquake. During an earthquake, remember to: drop, cover and hold on. That means wherever you are, you should drop to your knees, and hold on to something that is secure. You should then cover your head and neck with your arms and if you can, crawl underneath something sturdy for cover. If you can, you could hold onto a chair leg or table leg to keep yourself steady.The safest place to be is indoors under a sturdy table or desk and away from windows or heavy objects.
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