My Luvly Campus After Earthquakes Sep 2009 in Padang

Gempa besar yang melanda Kota Padang beberapa waktu yang lalu, banyak menimbulkan kerusakan di beberapa lembaga perguruan tinggi di wilayah kota Padang. Lembaga itu meliputi perguruan tinggi negeri dan perguruan tinggi swasta terkemuka di Sumatera Barat seperti Universitas Negeri Padang, Universitas Bung Hatta, Universitas Ekasakti / Akademi Akuntansi Indonesia dan Universitas Tamansiswa

Alat Labor Pecah

Kampus Universitas Bung Hatta (UBH) juga tidak luput dari “serangan” gempa. Namun kerusakan dan keretakan yang melanda kampus itu tidak terlalu parah dan tidak ada yang bangunan roboh akibat gempa kecuali alat-alat laboratorium dan komputer yang pecah dan rusak. Wakil Rektor II UBH Dr. Ir. Eni Kamal, M.Sc menjelaskan kondisi kampus UBH secara umum masih stabil dan tidak mengalami kerusakan cukup signifikan antara lain gedung tidak ada yang rusak dan lantai bangunan tidak ada yang retak. Eni Kamal juga mengatakan bahwa kampus ini dirancang untuk tahan terhadap gempa dan selama ini kampus UBH tidak mendapatkan masalah yang berarti akibat pengaruh gempa bumi.

“ Kondisi kampus UBH masih stabil dan tidak mengalami kerusakan yang cukup signifikan, ini disebabkan kampus ini dirancang khusus untuk tahan gempa. Selama ini kampus UBH tidak mendapatkan masalah yang berarti akibat pengaruh gempa.” kata Eni Kamal di gedung Rektorat Universitas Bung Hatta, Senin (17/9) lalu

Knowing about Earthquake

Earthquakes

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. An earthquake is a sudden movement of the earth, caused by the abrupt release of strain that has accumulated over a long time. For hundreds of millions of years, the forces of plate tectonics have shaped the earth, as the huge plates that form the earth’s surface slowly move over, under, and past each other. Sometimes, the movement is gradual. At other times, the plates are locked together, unable to release the accumulating energy. When the accumulated energy grows strong enough, the plates break free. If the earthquake occurs in a populated area, it may cause many deaths and injuries and extensive property damage.

Know the Terms

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify an earthquake hazard:

Earthquake
A sudden slipping or movement of a portion of the earth’s crust, accompanied and followed by a series of vibrations.

Aftershock
An earthquake of similar or lesser intensity that follows the main earthquake.

Fault
The fracture across which displacement has occurred during an earthquake. The slippage may range from less than an inch to more than 10 yards in a severe earthquake.

Epicenter
The place on the earth’s surface directly above the point on the fault where the earthquake rupture began. Once fault slippage begins, it expands along the fault during the earthquake and can extend hundreds of miles before stopping.

Seismic Waves
Vibrations that travel outward from the earthquake fault at speeds of several miles per second. Although fault slippage directly under a structure can cause considerable damage, the vibrations of seismic waves cause most of the destruction during earthquakes.

Magnitude
The amount of energy released during an earthquake, which is computed from the amplitude of the seismic waves. A magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale indicates an extremely strong earthquake. Each whole number on the scale represents an increase of about 30 times more energy released than the previous whole number represents. Therefore, an earthquake measuring 6.0 is about 30 times more powerful than one measuring 5.0.

Take Protective Measures

Before an Earthquake

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property in the event of an earthquake:

• Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections. Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas or electrical lines yourself.
• Bolt down and secure to the wall studs your water heater, refrigerator, furnace, and gas appliances. If recommended by your gas company, have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves, mirrors, and large picture frames to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.
• Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that fasten shut.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
• Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.
• Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.
• Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.
• Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover, and hold on!

During an Earthquake

Minimize your movements during an earthquake to a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If you are	Then:
Indoors	Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or bench or against an inside wall, and hold on. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. Stay in bed – if you are there when the earthquake strikes – hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place. Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway. Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects when entering into or exiting from buildings. Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on. DO NOT use the elevators.
Outdoors	Stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
In a moving vehicle	Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped, watching for road and bridge damage.
Trapped under debris	Do not light a match.· Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort – shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

After an Earthquake

• Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations.
• Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

Knowledge Check

Check your knowledge about what to do during an earthquake. For each question, choose answer A or B and circle the correct response. When you have finished, check your responses using the answer key.

What action should you take during an earthquake? The answer varies by where you are when an earthquake strikes. For each situation, pick the best course of action from the choices given.

1. At home:
   1. Stay inside
   2. Go out to the street
2. In bed:
   1. Stand by a window to see what is happening
   2. Stay in bed and protect your head with a pillow
3. In any building:
   1. Stand in a doorway
   2. Crouch in an inside corner away from the exterior wall
4. On the upper floor of an apartment building:
   1. Take the elevator to the ground floor as quickly as possible
   2. Stay in an interior room under a desk or table
5. Outdoors:
   1. Run into the nearest building
   2. Stay outside away from buildings
6. Driving a car:
   1. Stop the car in an open area
   2. Stop the car under an overpass
   sumber : FEMA

Subhanallah!! (QS.17:16,17:58.........)

Mudah2an ini semua ujian bukan adzab, sebab memang negeri ini semakin hari banyak hamba2 Allah SWT yg semakin menjadi-jadi dalam berbuat maksiat. Kasus demi kasus maksiat kita lihat kita dengan diberbagai media. Miyabi, Century, Korupsi. Seolah kita hidup ini tanpa aturan bebas mau apa saja boleh tidak ada yg melarang. Mari kita bersama renungkan ayat-ayat Al Qur'an dibawah ini.

(QS. Al Israa’ ayat 16): “Dan jika Kami hendak membinasakan suatu negeri, maka Kami perintahkan kepada orang-orang yang hidup mewah di negeri itu (supaya mentaati Allah) tetapi mereka melakukan kedurhakaan dalam negeri itu, maka sudah sepantasnya berlaku terhadapnya perkataan (ketentuan Kami), kemudian Kami hancurkan negeri itu sehancur-hancurnya.”
(QS. Al Israa’ ayat 58): “Tak ada suatu negeri pun (yang durhaka penduduknya), melainkan Kami membinasakannya sebelum hari kiamat atau Kami azab (penduduknya) dengan azab yang sangat keras. Yang demikian itu telah tertulis di dalam kitab (Lauh Mahfuz).”
(QS. Al Anfaal: 52): (Keadaan mereka) serupa dengan keadaan Fir’aun dan pengikut-pengikutnya serta orang-orang sebelumnya. Mereka mengingkari ayat-ayat Allah, maka Allah menyiksa mereka disebabkan disebabkan dosa-dosanya. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Kuat lagi Amat Keras siksaan-Nya.

Ingat saudaraku kita diciptakan Allah SWT didunia ini agar kita semua beribadah pada Allah SWT bukan kepada selain Allah SWT. Apalagi bermaksiat dan melawan kehendak dan perintah Allah SWT.

Tips praktis menjaga keselamatan jiwa pada saat terjadi gempa

Secara refleks, gempa membuat panik. Segala ilmu, pengetahuan dan latihan bisa jadi bubar dalam sekejap. Padahal gempa sudah terjadi di Indonesia sejak manusia belum ada.

Manusia hidup di alam dan bersama alam. Mustahil mengingkarinya. Sudah sepatutnya kita pahami baik-baik dan sikapi secara bijaksana

Korban jiwa karena gempa lazimnya terjadi karena terkena runtuhan bangunan. Penyebab lain adalah sapuan gelombang tsunami. Penyebab sekunder adalah korban yang jatuh lantaran mobilisasi kepanikan massa yang bisa berupa tergencet, tertabrak, terinjak-injak dan sejenisnya.

Sekali lagi kita pahami, bahwa kita hidup di alam dan bersama alam. Kita mustahil mengingkarinya. Takut akan alam pun bukan tindakan bijaksana, lantaran manusia dianugrahi akal budi untuk belajar, arif, cerdik dan bijaksana.

1. Segera lari ke tempat terbuka, agar tak terkena reruntuhan bangunan. Tak perlu membawa barang berharga karena jiwa Anda lebih berharga. Sekalian berlatih untuk tawakal dan tak bersikap mengagungkan kebendaan. Jika Anda berada dalam gedung bertingkat, turun menggunakan tangga darurat dan jangan menggunakan lift.

2. Jika berada dalam radius jarak 5 km dari garis pantai, segera mencari tempat tinggi untuk menghindari sapuan tsunami. Jika Anda tak berada dalam radius tersebut, tak perlu ikut panik mencari tempat tinggi. Jika dalam waktu 30 menit setelah gempa terjadi tidak ada surut laut mendadak, maka biasanya tidak terjadi tsunami. Tsunami pasti didahului surut laut mendadak dan tak lebih dari 30 menit sejak gempa utama terjadi.

Beberapa saran untuk menyikapi gempa, yakni:

1. Pemahaman tentang gempa

2. Tanggap darurat bencana

3. Tata ruang yang antisipatif

Kita sikapi semua dengan tenang dan kritis. Tak perlu terpengaruh suara-suara yang belum tentu keluar dari pihak yang terpelajar dan mengerti gempa secara ilmiah. Justru kita semakin sadar akan kedigdayaan alam, kebesaran kuasa Tuhan yang menciptakan alam dan ketidakberdayaan manusia yang justru tampak dalam keangkuhan atas alam dan sesama manusia sendiri.

Jika gempa membuat Anda gusar, mungkin beberapa hal berikut bisa mengobati:

1. Keberadaan Indonesia di The Ring of Fire memunculkan gunung api yang menyuburkan tanah dan menjadi obyek wisata.

2. Lava hasil aktivitas tektonik jika merambat ke permukaan dan menembus jenis batuan tertentu bisa menghasilkan mineral-mineral berguna dan jenis-jenis logam berharga, seperti emas, perak dan tembaga.

3. Panas dari aktivitas vulkanisme menjadi “dapur” yang bagusbagi source rock hidrokarbon. Jika mengalir ke rongga tertentu, yang cocok sebagai reservoar, bisa kita tambang sebagai minyak dan gas.

Kembali pada diri kita masing-masing. Mau menyikapi gempa secara panik atau menyikapinya secara kritis, adalah pilihan yang terpulang kepada masing-masing individu. Satwa saja bisa dengan tertib pergi dari tempat yang rawan gempa dan bisa mencari tempat berlindung tanpa panik dan berdesak-desakan.