Abstract
Earthquake is one of the natural hazards that affected the mankind the most with large scale destruction and loss of lives. According to IS 1893:2002, 60% Indian landmass (Zone V = 12%, Zone IV = 18%, Zone III = 26% and Zone II 44%) is vulnerable to earthquakes and several studies have shown that highly populated states of North and North Eastern India, belong to seismically active regions in the world. There is a need to bring the spirit of togetherness and alertness well before a disaster so that a community can be prepared well to face the disaster and thus reduce the loss of life and properties. This involves building a community that is aware of the earthquake hazards and prepared for it. There is a dire need for effective earthquake preparedness and an assessment tool that can assist individuals and communities to prepare, respond and recover from earthquakes. With the latest technological developments, the effective way of communicating the information required for improving the preparedness levels of individuals towards earthquakes is through mobile based applications. Hence development of a mobile APP is need of the hour. This study focuses on developing java based application which serves as an assessment tool to measure the preparedness level of an individual and community. The information required to be prepared for an earthquake such as latest information about earthquakes, actions to be taken during an earthquake, seismic zones in India are also provided through this tool. This paper also presents a preliminary case study of applying the developed app among the community from south Indian city of Coimbatore to understand the status of earthquake preparedness and awareness among the community.
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Summary of Online Pilot Survey Results
Summary of Online Pilot Survey Results
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Total no: of respondents = 132
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C—Count, N%—Count in percentage
Demographics
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1.
Are you male or female? (131 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Male | 72 | 45 |
Female | 59 | 55 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
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2.
Which category below includes your age? (132 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
17 or younger | 2 | 1.5 |
18–20 years | 19 | 14.4 |
21–29 years | 105 | 79.5 |
30–39 years | 1 | 0.8 |
40–49 years | 1 | 0.8 |
50–59 years | 4 | 3 |
60 years or older | 0 | 0 |
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3.
Which of the following categories best describes your employment status? (132 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Employed (full-time) | 33 | 25 |
Employed (part-time) | 0 | 0 |
Self-employed | 5 | 3.8 |
Student | 88 | 66.7 |
Not employed | 4 | 3 |
House person | 2 | 1.5 |
Retired | 0 | 0 |
Disabled, not able to work | 0 | 0 |
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4.
Are you an Indian resident? If yes, mention your native state in the other options tab (132 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Yes | 130 | 98.5 |
No | 2 | 1.5 |
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5.
What is the highest level of your educational qualification? (132 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Less than high school | 0 | 0 |
High school | 4 | 3 |
Some college but no degree | 10 | 7.5 |
Associate degree | 0 | 0 |
Bachelor degree | 60 | 45.5 |
Graduate degree | 58 | 44 |
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6.
How much total combined money did all members of your HOUSEHOLD earn in 2015? (Annual income of your Household) (131 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Less than ₹72,000 | 6 | 4.6 |
₹72,000–₹143,999 | 16 | 12.2 |
₹144,000–₹239,999 | 25 | 19.1 |
₹240,000–₹719,999 | 44 | 33.6 |
₹720,000–₹2,879,999 | 37 | 28.2 |
₹2,880000–₹14,399,999 | 2 | 1.5 |
₹14,400,000 or More | 1 | 0.8 |
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7.
How long have you lived in your current house? (in years) (132 responses)
Value | C | N % |
---|---|---|
0.5 | 3 | 2.3 |
1 | 11 | 8.3 |
2 | 5 | 3.8 |
3 | 10 | 7.6 |
4 | 4 | 3.0 |
5 | 5 | 3.8 |
6 | 2 | 1.5 |
7 | 3 | 2.3 |
8 | 5 | 3.8 |
9 | 2 | 1.5 |
10 | 15 | 11.4 |
11 | 3 | 2.3 |
12 | 4 | 3.0 |
13 | 3 | 2.3 |
14 | 1 | 0.8 |
15 | 10 | 7.6 |
16 | 2 | 1.5 |
17 | 3 | 2.3 |
18 | 5 | 3.8 |
20 | 8 | 6.1 |
21 | 1 | 0.8 |
22 | 3 | 2.3 |
23 | 11 | 8.3 |
24 | 4 | 3.0 |
25 | 1 | 0.8 |
27 | 3 | 2.3 |
28 | 3 | 2.3 |
50 | 1 | 0.8 |
57 | 1 | 0.8 |
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8.
Including yourself, how many people are there in your household? (128 responses)
Value | C | N% |
---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 0.8 |
1 | 3 | 2.3 |
2 | 2 | 1.6 |
3 | 18 | 14.1 |
4 | 68 | 53.1 |
5 | 26 | 20.3 |
6 | 4 | 3.1 |
7 | 5 | 3.9 |
20 | 1 | 0.8 |
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9.
Which of the following describes your family status? (127 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Married or partnered with children at home | 32 | 25.2 |
Married or partnered with NO children at home | 4 | 3.1 |
Single with children at home | 7 | 5.5 |
Single with NO children at home | 84 | 66.1 |
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10.
Which of the following describes the ownership of the house/apartment you live in? (131 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Owned or buying, to live in it | 95 | 72.5 |
Owned or buying as a holiday home | 3 | 2.3 |
Rent, to live in it | 31 | 23.7 |
Rent, as a holiday home | 2 | 1.5 |
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Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness Related Questions
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11.
Have you ever experienced an earthquake? (130 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Yes, direct experience (e.g.: damage, injury, tremors) | 21 | 16.2 |
Yes, indirect experience (e.g.: was inconvenient, couldn’t travel) | 17 | 13.1 |
No | 92 | 70.8 |
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12.
When do you think an earthquake could next affect your community? (130 responses)
C | N% | |
---|---|---|
Within a year | 9 | 6.9 |
In 5 years | 30 | 23.1 |
In 10 years | 27 | 20.8 |
In 50 years | 19 | 14.6 |
Over 50 years | 12 | 9.2 |
Never | 33 | 25.4 |
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13.
Please rate the extent to which you perceive the preparedness level of the following (132 responses)
Very much prepared | Prepared | Somewhat prepared | May not be prepared | Not at all prepared | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
How prepared do you think you are for a major earthquake? | 9 | 6.8 | 16 | 12.1 | 45 | 34.1 | 34 | 25.8 | 28 | 21.2 |
How well prepared do you think other members of your community are for a major earthquake | 6 | 4.5 | 16 | 12.1 | 43 | 32.6 | 34 | 25.8 | 33 | 25.0 |
How well prepared do you think your local government is for a major earthquake? | 7 | 5.3 | 28 | 21.2 | 46 | 34.8 | 28 | 21.2 | 23 | 17.4 |
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14.
Have you ever heard, seen or received information on earthquake preparedness from the following? (Tick all that apply) (131 responses)
Value | C | N% |
---|---|---|
Never heard about, seen or received information on preparing for hazards | 21 | 16.0 |
Television | 89 | 67.9 |
Radio | 33 | 25.2 |
Newspapers/Magazines | 81 | 61.8 |
Fliers/Posters | 22 | 16.8 |
Training workshops/classes | 35 | 26.7 |
Government | 30 | 22.9 |
Films/videos | 56 | 42.7 |
Internet | 74 | 56.5 |
Friends or relatives | 48 | 36.6 |
Workplace | 22 | 16.8 |
Other | 2 | 1.5 |
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15.
Rate the importance of each of the following mentioned below in earthquake preparedness (132 responses)
Very important | Somewhat important | Has no role | May be important | Not at all important | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | |
Individuals | 91 | 68.9 | 32 | 24.2 | 2 | 1.5 | 5 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 |
Community group | 102 | 77.3 | 25 | 18.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 3.0 | 1 | 0.8 |
Governmental organizations | 112 | 84.8 | 16 | 12.1 | 1 | 0.8 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.8 |
Agencies | 70 | 53.0 | 47 | 35.6 | 6 | 4.5 | 9 | 6.8 | 0 | 0.0 |
Schools | 104 | 78.8 | 23 | 17.4 | 2 | 1.5 | 3 | 2.3 | 0 | 0.0 |
Workplace | 98 | 74.2 | 27 | 20.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 5 | 3.8 | 0 | 0.0 |
Emergency services (e.g. Police, fire) | 120 | 90.9 | 9 | 6.8 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0.0 |
Insurance companies | 83 | 62.9 | 41 | 31.1 | 2 | 1.5 | 6 | 4.5 | 0 | 0.0 |
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16.
To what extent do each of the following prevent you from preparing for earthquakes? (132 responses)
Very much | Somewhat | Has no role | May be | Not at all | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | |
The cost | 24 | 18.2 | 58 | 43.9 | 29 | 22.0 | 16 | 12.1 | 5 | 3.8 |
The skill or knowledge required | 54 | 40.9 | 58 | 43.9 | 12 | 9.1 | 5 | 3.8 | 3 | 2.3 |
The time needed to prepare | 48 | 36.4 | 57 | 43.2 | 9 | 6.8 | 11 | 8.3 | 7 | 5.3 |
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17.
Please describe the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements (132 responses)
Strongly agree | Agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | |
In community meetings, I am often a leader | 12 | 9.1 | 36 | 27.3 | 42 | 31.8 | 33 | 25.0 | 9 | 6.8 |
In community meetings I prefer to be a leader rather than a follower. | 16 | 12.1 | 41 | 31.1 | 40 | 30.3 | 29 | 22.0 | 6 | 4.5 |
People around here will express opinion for relevant issues | 21 | 15.9 | 82 | 62.1 | 20 | 15.2 | 5 | 3.8 | 4 | 3.0 |
People in this community can express their needs to others easily | 17 | 12.9 | 71 | 53.8 | 31 | 23.5 | 10 | 7.6 | 3 | 2.3 |
The talks of community depends on residents’ interests | 27 | 20.5 | 71 | 53.8 | 30 | 22.7 | 3 | 2.3 | 1 | 0.8 |
Difficult situations determine what issues this community should focus on | 42 | 31.8 | 66 | 50.0 | 21 | 15.9 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.8 |
Peoples perceptions of community problems control the measures adopted | 29 | 22.0 | 72 | 54.5 | 25 | 18.9 | 5 | 3.8 | 1 | 0.8 |
I trust my Local government to respond to meet the needs of its residents | 16 | 12.1 | 52 | 39.4 | 44 | 33.3 | 14 | 10.6 | 6 | 4.5 |
I trust the media (newspapers, TV, radio) to report fairly | 23 | 17.4 | 55 | 41.7 | 42 | 31.8 | 11 | 8.3 | 1 | 0.8 |
I have confidence in the law to protect and maintain order in my community | 19 | 14.4 | 60 | 45.5 | 41 | 31.1 | 8 | 6.1 | 4 | 3.0 |
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18.
With regard to your participation in this community, record your responses (132 responses)
Yes | May do This | Will not do this | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | |
I have worked with others to improve community life | 49 | 37.1 | 79 | 59.8 | 4 | 3.0 |
I participate in local activities or events (e.g., festivals, fairs) | 66 | 50.0 | 60 | 45.5 | 6 | 4.5 |
I have contributed money, local causes, charities, or to others in my community | 61 | 46.2 | 64 | 48.5 | 7 | 5.3 |
I have attended public meetings on community issues | 42 | 31.8 | 78 | 59.1 | 12 | 9.1 |
I have been involved in volunteer activities beneficial to my community (e.g., fund-raising, clean-up days, local groups, Scouts) | 59 | 44.7 | 64 | 48.5 | 9 | 6.8 |
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19.
Thinking about earthquake preparedness issues would you be willing to (132 responses)
Yes | Possibly | No | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | |
Participate regularly, on an on-going basis (e.g. belong to a group; attend monthly meetings)? | 39 | 29.5 | 83 | 62.9 | 10 | 7.6 |
Participate for specific reasons or events (e.g. attend a one-off community meeting; be involved in a preparedness fair)? | 50 | 37.9 | 74 | 56.1 | 8 | 6.1 |
Pass on information about earthquake and preparing to other community members? | 75 | 56.8 | 52 | 39.4 | 5 | 3.8 |
Encourage other people in your community to get prepared for earthquakes? | 78 | 59.1 | 53 | 40.2 | 1 | 0.8 |
Take a training course to be qualified to help your community recover from earthquakes? | 54 | 40.9 | 63 | 47.7 | 15 | 11.4 |
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20.
The following are things that can be done to minimize damage and disruption if an earthquake occurs. Record your responses (132 responses)
Yes | May do this | Will not do this | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | |
I have considered the chance of an earthquake when I decided to live in my present house | 48 | 36.4 | 70 | 53.0 | 14 | 10.6 |
I have fixed tall furniture to the wall | 32 | 24.2 | 79 | 59.8 | 21 | 15.9 |
I have ensured that heavy utility hardware will not fall down in a major earthquake (e.g.: water heaters, chimney) | 46 | 34.8 | 76 | 57.6 | 10 | 7.6 |
I have ensured that my roof will probably not collapse in a major earthquake | 52 | 39.4 | 70 | 53.0 | 10 | 7.6 |
I have arranged the cupboards so that heavy objects are stored at ground level | 53 | 40.2 | 67 | 50.8 | 12 | 9.1 |
I have securely fastened cupboards with latches | 45 | 34.1 | 74 | 56.1 | 13 | 9.8 |
I have ensured that objects that contain water have not been stored on top of electrical equipment (e.g., a pot plant or fishbowl on top of the television) | 56 | 42.4 | 69 | 52.3 | 7 | 5.3 |
I have ensured that heavy objects are stored on the floor | 62 | 47.0 | 65 | 49.2 | 5 | 3.8 |
I know the locations of utility shut-off valves and switches (e.g., water shut-off valve, gas shut-off valve, electric power shut-off switch) | 65 | 49.2 | 62 | 47.0 | 5 | 3.8 |
I know how to operate utility shut-off valves and switches | 59 | 44.7 | 66 | 50.0 | 7 | 5.3 |
I have stored water for survival | 45 | 34.1 | 80 | 60.6 | 7 | 5.3 |
I have put aside spare plastic bags and toilet paper for use as an emergency toilet | 38 | 28.8 | 85 | 64.4 | 9 | 6.8 |
I have accumulated enough tools to make minor repairs to the house following a major earthquake | 44 | 33.3 | 81 | 61.4 | 7 | 5.3 |
I have obtained a supply of tinned or dehydrated food that could be used in an emergency | 35 | 26.5 | 77 | 58.3 | 20 | 15.2 |
I have purchased or put together a first aid kit | 45 | 34.1 | 75 | 56.8 | 12 | 9.1 |
I have a supply of essential medicines for illness or allergies | 49 | 37.1 | 73 | 55.3 | 10 | 7.6 |
I have obtained a working battery radio (or solar/dynamo equivalent) | 31 | 23.5 | 86 | 65.2 | 15 | 11.4 |
I have secured movable objects in my home (e.g., TV, computer) | 42 | 31.8 | 76 | 57.6 | 14 | 10.6 |
I have access to an alternative cooking source. | 33 | 25.0 | 81 | 61.4 | 18 | 13.6 |
I have a household earthquake emergency plan | 33 | 25.0 | 78 | 59.1 | 21 | 15.9 |
My plan covers where the family should meet if an earthquake occurs during the day | 32 | 24.2 | 81 | 61.4 | 19 | 14.4 |
I have contacts of emergency services (e.g.: medical, police, support groups) | 62 | 47.0 | 59 | 44.7 | 11 | 8.3 |
I have obtained a working fire extinguisher | 32 | 24.2 | 81 | 61.4 | 19 | 14.4 |
I have an earthquake emergency plan at work place | 41 | 31.1 | 75 | 56.8 | 16 | 12.1 |
I have taken some other preparedness steps at work (knowing emergency exits, where to be in case of an earthquake) | 45 | 34.1 | 74 | 56.1 | 13 | 9.8 |
I have obtained spare batteries for the appliances I might need to use | 36 | 27.3 | 79 | 59.8 | 17 | 12.9 |
I have specifically put together an emergency kit | 32 | 24.2 | 85 | 64.4 | 15 | 11.4 |
I check the contents/operation of my emergency supplies at least every six months | 36 | 27.3 | 79 | 59.8 | 17 | 12.9 |
I know the location of a medical emergency center near to my house | 57 | 43.2 | 66 | 50.0 | 9 | 6.8 |
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21.
In the next month or so, do you intend to do the following?
Yes | Possibly | No | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | N% | C | N% | C | N% | |
Check your level of preparedness for earthquakes | 47 | 35.6 | 69 | 52.3 | 16 | 12.1 |
Increase your level of preparedness for earthquakes | 54 | 40.9 | 63 | 47.7 | 15 | 11.4 |
Become involved with a local group to discuss how to reduce earthquake damage or losses | 40 | 30.3 | 68 | 51.5 | 24 | 18.2 |
Seek information on earthquake risk | 61 | 46.2 | 58 | 43.9 | 13 | 9.8 |
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Kolathayar, S., Karan Kumar, V., Rohith, V.R., Priyatham, K., Nikil, S., Anupa, S.A. (2019). Development of Mobile Application to Assess and Enhance Earthquake Preparedness Level of Individuals and Community in India. In: Fatahi, B., Mwanza, A., Chang, D. (eds) Sustainable Design and Construction for Geomaterials and Geostructures. GeoChina 2018. Sustainable Civil Infrastructures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95753-1_16
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