Devastating earthquakes are threatening Serbia: This is what parts are in grave danger

The consequences depend if the earthquake happens in rural or city environment, the depth and the distance from the object

Serbian scientists do not share their views with US counterparts at the University of Colorado and Montana, who recently reported disturbing data that the slowing down of the Earth's rotation in 2018 will lead to a series of devastating earthquakes that will kill at least a billion people.

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Branko Dragicevic, deputy director of the Republican Seismological Institute of Serbia, says about this catastrophic scenario that no serious seismological institution in the world is concerned with such predictions, as the American scientists have said, and that it is unknown how they reached such conclusion. 

BAD MAINTENANCE

About our country, Dragicevic said that seismic danger is unchanged and that the danger of earthquakes is the strongest on Kopaonik, Svilajnac, Aleksandrovac, Kraljevo, Jagodina, Loznica, Novi Pazar, and Cacak, while the lowest seismic danger is in east Serbia and in a part of Backa.

- Earthquakes can't be predicted, but, based on the analysis of the grounds we can guess the place and the expected intensity and magnitude. You can't predict the day when will it happen. There is a high level of seismic danger on Serbian territory. It is realistic to expect the magnitudes up to 5.9 - 6 degrees on Richter scale and the earthquakes like that happened before. The characteristics of the earthquake is that they happened in the places where they already happened in the past - explains Dragicevic.

According to his words, the consequences depend if the earthquake happens in rural or city environment, the depth and the distance from the object.

- If the earthquake happens in the urban environment, on the city territory, then it is completely different than, let's say, Mionica, in a rural part of the city. The old objects are in greatest danger, they those who were constructed before regulations were implemented, and the objects which are poorly maintained and adapted - he said.

SEISMIC RISK

He adds that the only thing that can affect the consequences is the seismic risk.

- Seismic risk depends on the vulnerability of the object, resistance, and education of the citizens. About seismic risk in Serbia, it is always the same and unchanged, seismic danger doesn't change during geological history - concludes Dragicevic.

EARTHQUAKE IN KRALJEVO 

The last earthquake in Serbia that took human lives was recorded on 3rd November 2010 in Kraljevo when two people died and around 200 citizens were injured. Kraljevo was struck with a strong earthquake of 5.4 degrees on Richter scale. 800 objects suffered strong damage, and schools and health institutions were among them. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Vitanovac, 10 km from Kraljevo, at the depth of 2 km.

RULES OF CONDUCT IN THE CASE OF AN EARTHQUAKE 

If the earthquake happens while you are in a home, it is not safe for you to go out, stay inside. Seek for cover under massive furniture like bed, table or under the door. Move away from windows, shelves and mounted objects that can fall and injure you. The best is to be in a crouching position because you will prevent injury from falling or losing balance.

If you are outside, move away from objects and power lines. If you are in a vehicle, avoid bridges, tunnels, underground passages, and buildings, because all of that can come crashing down on you.

(Telegraf.co.uk)