Last Monday, after midnight, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand, followed by over 250 aftershocks. The quake killed at least two and destroyed properties and roads.

1. Fatal Earthquake Hits NZ:
How Prepared is
Australia?
Australia Wide First Aid
Unit 7, 20 Archerfield Rd, Darra, QLD 4076
1300 336 613

2. Last Monday, after midnight, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand, followed by
over 250 aftershocks. The quake killed at least two and destroyed properties and roads.
People moved to higher places due to 2-metre tsunami warnings hitting the coast, but
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said they downgraded it to coastal warnings.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull assured New Zealand of the country’s help in
the wake of the earthquake.
Blazing Ring of Fire
The Pacific Ring of Fire includes 75% of the world’s active volcanoes and majority of the
strongest earthquakes. New Zealand lies on the boundary of the Pacific and Australian
tectonic plates, generating 15,000 tremors annually. GeoNet said the 7.8 magnitude
earthquake is the strongest that hit New Zealand since 2009.

3. AU’s Disaster Plan
The most notable earthquakes that hit Australia happened in Adelaide and Newcastle.
The Adelaide earthquake in 1954 did not result in fatalities but led to over $1 billion
worth of property damage and insurance claims. On the other hand, the Newcastle
quake, with a 5.6 magnitude, resulted in 13 fatalities.
Officials identify areas in South Australia that are most likely to experience earthquakes
using a hazard mapping exercise. They planned to improve building standards and
retrofitted unreinforced masonry buildings in Adelaide and Newcastle. They also
relocated schools and hospitals away from active faults.
Many bridges in the country are old, and some infrastructures such as traffic lights and
road lighting are failing. The country is developing emergency plans such as alternate
routes and transports to address such issues.

4. Resources:
 https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/
 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37967178
 http://www.news.com.au/world/earthquake-hits-new-zealands-south-island/news-
story/ea6386451a30e4fb04956281d078ee39
 https://ajem.infoservices.com.au/items/AJEM-29-02-10
 http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/13/asia/new-zealand-earthquake/
 https://www.geonet.org.nz/
They are also expanding coordination between national and international health
services and disaster response teams. In addition, they dispersed earthquake-
monitoring devices around the metropolitan area and moved them around every two
years.
New Zealand’s Christchurch is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake, with 185
fatalities recorded. This time, their emergency responses were prompt, and people are
more alert while cooperating with disaster response teams.
Experts expect bigger earthquakes to happen with the threat of climate change.
Staying updated and vigilant is the beginning of a good disaster plan.