Post by StarSwirl05 on Feb 3, 2009 18:44:26 GMT -5
Quaking with Fear
At their houses…
“We bring you breaking news, an earthquake is scheduled to occur later in the day,” said Dan. It is uncertain at this time how big it will be on the Richter Scale but reports are coming in that it will be around 5.0.
“Oh no, not an earthquake!” said Melody.
“That’s not good, I hope the school holds up,” said Lancer. At school…
“Did you guys hear about the earthquake later today?” asked Patch.
“Yeah, it’s really truly supposed to be a big one,” said Sweetheart.
“Alright students, settle down,” said Hackney. I know you’re all worried about the massive quake that’s scheduled for today but we can’t let it interfere with our lesson. Hmm, since that quake is scheduled today, I think it’s best that we talk about what to do if an earthquake strikes. This way we will be prepared for the quake when it hits. Now, when an earthquake hits, you go under a sturdy object such as a desk or table. This will protect you from falling objects such as books, or anything on the ceiling. It is also a safe place, believe it or not, to be under a doorway during a quake. I guess it’s design is resistant to earthquakes and some buildings today are also being made to withstand them as well. Since there isn’t enough space to protect everyone from the quake under the doorway, everyone, including me, will hide under your desks. Back onto the topic of earthquakes, sometimes, after the major earthquake, there can be smaller ones called aftershocks. These are generally shorter lived than regular earthquakes but are caused the same way earthquakes are, pent-up energy. The more energy stored in the ground, the bigger the quake will be when it occurs. Earthquakes are rated on what is called the Richter Scale in terms of decimals such as 1.0, 2.0 and so on. Each quake is ten times more powerful than the next. So a 3.0 is ten times worse than a 2.0. Of course, the bigger the gap between ratings of the quakes, the more times powerful the earthquake is, so a 4.0 is twenty times more powerful than a 2.0. Any questions? The entire room begins shaking It’s here, everyone, get under your desks quickly! Everyone scrambles to get under their desks Ceiling panels fall from above The earthquake ceases after twenty minutes Everyone…she coughs…alright?
“Uh huh,” said everyone simultaneously.
“We must proceed with caution, everyone, we don’t know whether or not the building is stable to walk on properly or if there will be aftershocks, gas leaks or fires. Thank goodness this happened during the day since although the power is out, we still have light from outside. She looks at the clock It’s time to go but proceed carefully to the door and out the door to avoid collapse. Just outside each of their houses…
“Mom, you there?” asked Melody.
“Over here, Melody,” said her mother calling from inside the house. Melody walks in.
“How are things here, mom?” asked Melody.
“The power’s out,” said her mother. Unfortunately, I don’t know what we’re going to do about dinner tonight.
“At least my house is still there,” thought Bon-Bon. Hope my family’s okay. The door opens
“Good Bon-Bon, you’re here,” said her father. He invites her in The earthquake damaged several of our pipes and our power is out. There’s no telling when it’ll be back but for now, put on this mask to protect yourself from any toxic gas leaks. Bon-Bon puts on the mask
“Seems like everyone’s house is truly damaged,” said Sweetheart. I truly hope everyone is okay. She cautiously walks into her house
“Hello Sweetheart, glad you’re okay,” said her mother. The house fortunately withstood the earthquake but it did take some minor damage and several of our plates are now broken from sliding out of the cupboard and onto the floor.
“We felt the quake at school,” said Sweetheart. We got under our desks and everything.
“I’ll bet,” said her mother. Is the school intact?
“Not sure,” said Sweetheart. The bell rang before we were able to check.
“Well what really matters is your safe,” said her mother.
“That earthquake was quite impressive,” said Clover coming in the door.
“Oh Clover, you’re home!” said her mother.
“Did your friends make it out okay?” asked her father.
“I’m not sure but I’d hope so,” said Clover.
“We bring to you breaking news,” said Dan from the TV. The earthquake turned out to be weaker than anticipated. It also appears that several children were unharmed after leaving their school moments ago.
“That’s Melody and Patch!” said Clover. They’re okay! At least the quake didn’t take my friends away.
At their houses…
“We bring you breaking news, an earthquake is scheduled to occur later in the day,” said Dan. It is uncertain at this time how big it will be on the Richter Scale but reports are coming in that it will be around 5.0.
“Oh no, not an earthquake!” said Melody.
“That’s not good, I hope the school holds up,” said Lancer. At school…
“Did you guys hear about the earthquake later today?” asked Patch.
“Yeah, it’s really truly supposed to be a big one,” said Sweetheart.
“Alright students, settle down,” said Hackney. I know you’re all worried about the massive quake that’s scheduled for today but we can’t let it interfere with our lesson. Hmm, since that quake is scheduled today, I think it’s best that we talk about what to do if an earthquake strikes. This way we will be prepared for the quake when it hits. Now, when an earthquake hits, you go under a sturdy object such as a desk or table. This will protect you from falling objects such as books, or anything on the ceiling. It is also a safe place, believe it or not, to be under a doorway during a quake. I guess it’s design is resistant to earthquakes and some buildings today are also being made to withstand them as well. Since there isn’t enough space to protect everyone from the quake under the doorway, everyone, including me, will hide under your desks. Back onto the topic of earthquakes, sometimes, after the major earthquake, there can be smaller ones called aftershocks. These are generally shorter lived than regular earthquakes but are caused the same way earthquakes are, pent-up energy. The more energy stored in the ground, the bigger the quake will be when it occurs. Earthquakes are rated on what is called the Richter Scale in terms of decimals such as 1.0, 2.0 and so on. Each quake is ten times more powerful than the next. So a 3.0 is ten times worse than a 2.0. Of course, the bigger the gap between ratings of the quakes, the more times powerful the earthquake is, so a 4.0 is twenty times more powerful than a 2.0. Any questions? The entire room begins shaking It’s here, everyone, get under your desks quickly! Everyone scrambles to get under their desks Ceiling panels fall from above The earthquake ceases after twenty minutes Everyone…she coughs…alright?
“Uh huh,” said everyone simultaneously.
“We must proceed with caution, everyone, we don’t know whether or not the building is stable to walk on properly or if there will be aftershocks, gas leaks or fires. Thank goodness this happened during the day since although the power is out, we still have light from outside. She looks at the clock It’s time to go but proceed carefully to the door and out the door to avoid collapse. Just outside each of their houses…
“Mom, you there?” asked Melody.
“Over here, Melody,” said her mother calling from inside the house. Melody walks in.
“How are things here, mom?” asked Melody.
“The power’s out,” said her mother. Unfortunately, I don’t know what we’re going to do about dinner tonight.
“At least my house is still there,” thought Bon-Bon. Hope my family’s okay. The door opens
“Good Bon-Bon, you’re here,” said her father. He invites her in The earthquake damaged several of our pipes and our power is out. There’s no telling when it’ll be back but for now, put on this mask to protect yourself from any toxic gas leaks. Bon-Bon puts on the mask
“Seems like everyone’s house is truly damaged,” said Sweetheart. I truly hope everyone is okay. She cautiously walks into her house
“Hello Sweetheart, glad you’re okay,” said her mother. The house fortunately withstood the earthquake but it did take some minor damage and several of our plates are now broken from sliding out of the cupboard and onto the floor.
“We felt the quake at school,” said Sweetheart. We got under our desks and everything.
“I’ll bet,” said her mother. Is the school intact?
“Not sure,” said Sweetheart. The bell rang before we were able to check.
“Well what really matters is your safe,” said her mother.
“That earthquake was quite impressive,” said Clover coming in the door.
“Oh Clover, you’re home!” said her mother.
“Did your friends make it out okay?” asked her father.
“I’m not sure but I’d hope so,” said Clover.
“We bring to you breaking news,” said Dan from the TV. The earthquake turned out to be weaker than anticipated. It also appears that several children were unharmed after leaving their school moments ago.
“That’s Melody and Patch!” said Clover. They’re okay! At least the quake didn’t take my friends away.
