Israeli government prepares for major earthquake in north
In one three-month period this year, around 500 small tremors were recorded in northern Israel; Israeli government health officials urge hospitals, municipalities to prepare for worst
The Israeli Health Ministry has warned of an expected earthquake in northern Israel and has stepped up preparations for a multi-casualty major disaster. Ministry director-general Avi Yisraeli has instructed hospital chiefs and representatives of the health maintenance organizations in the north to prepare immediately for the possibility of a major tremor. In a special notice distributed to medical authorities, including managers of hospitals, health maintenance organizations, Magen David Adom, and senior officials in the health system, Yisraeli wrote that exceptional seismic activity was recorded in southern Lebanon in the middle of February.
Haaretz’s Yuval Azoulay writes that in one three-month period this year, around 500 small tremors were recorded at a magnitude of less than two on the Richter Scale, he wrote. According to the director-general, the magnitude of the tremors increased in the last ten days of May and the beginning of June, to the extent that they were felt in Israel’s north. Yisraeli cited studies done by the Israeli Geophysics Institute, which show that the change in pace of the earthquake activities in South Lebanon raises the probability of occurrences of more strong earthquakes in the north. The estimates suggest an earthquake of a magnitude of six on the Richter Scale may impact upon towns in Israel from Haifa northwards, and is likely to cause destruction of buildings and foundations. The director-general said preparations for earthquake readiness should include checking essential medical equipment and satellite telephones in hospitals.
