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NEWS
Israel Unprepared for Earthquakes
by N. Katzin
According to a recent report by the Israel Geophysical
Institute, Israel is unprepared for a major earthquake. An
earthquake of 6.5 intensity on the Richter scale would be
catastrophic, the report claims. Thousands of people would
lose their lives, while hundreds of thousands would become
homeless, chas vesholom. The report was recently
presented to the Ministerial Committee for Earthquakes
formed following the recent earthquakes in Turkey.
Dr. Avi Shapiro, head of the Israel Geophysical Institute,
notes that there are four main centers where high impact
earthquakes are liable to occur along the Syrian-African
rift and the rift passing through Mount Carmel. These
include the Dead Sea, the Beit Shean Valley, the Huleh
Valley and Haifa. Earthquakes liable to occur in these
locations would be of an approximate intensity of 7 on the
Richter scale, decreasing to 6.5 in the Haifa area.
The Geophysical Institute stresses that while it is
impossible to accurately predict earthquakes, it is possible
that an earthquake of this intensity will take place in
Israel during the next fifty years. The report estimates
that such an earthquake would result in calamity because of
the country's lack of preparation.
Statistics indicate that no building built during the 1960s
can withstand an earthquake. Public dwellings built on
pillars form the highest risk group. Information on whether
buildings constructed in the 1980s onwards are earthquake-
proof or not is unavailable.
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