Seismic crisis in Chiriquí: What it means and what to do?
May 9th, 2006 by Don Ray
I need to give special thanks to one of my readers that sent me an email with the following attached piece by Leila R. Shelton-Louhi. Jim Sayers provided the English translation
Crisis sísmica en Chiriquí: ¿Qué significa y qué hacer?
Seismic crisis in Chiriquí: What it means and what to do?Leila R. Shelton-Louhi: Panamá, 06 de mayo de 2006: Posted at 11:45 PM
El Sismólogo Jaime Toral, investigador en la Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá y ex-director del Instituto de GeoCiencias de Panamá está actualmente analizando las actividades sísmicas que se han dado en nuestra región de Chiriquí en los últimos días y en las últimas horas.
Seismologist,Jaime Toral, investigator from the Technological University of Panama and ex-director of the Institute of GeoSciences Panama, is currently analyzing the seismic activities that have occurred over the last few days and in recent hours in the region of Chiriquí.
Según datos que siguen entrando, hay informes – aún no confirmados – de unas manifestaciones de rupturas en la superficie en la zona de Quiel hacia el noroeste de la cordillera. Esto concuerda con las indicaciones instrumentales de la concentración de epicentros en el área del “Camino Ecológico.”
According to the data that continues to come in, there is information (not yet confirmed) of evidence of ruptures to the surface in the zone of Quiel towards the northwest of the mountain range. This is in agreement with the seismic instrument readings coming from the concentration of the respective epicentres in the area of the “Camino Ecológico,” “The Ecological Path.”
“Esta actividad fué una manifestación de una falla local. Se está evaluando la concentración de estos eventos para ver si tienen alguna conección con la estructura del Volcán Barú, considerado durmiente ya que, desde antes de la época de los españoles, no ha tenido actividad” explica el Prof. Toral.
“This activity is a manifestation of a local fault. The recent concentrations of the seismic events are being evaluated to see if they have some connection with the structure of Volcano Barú, which has for years has been considered dormant. It has not had activity since before the time of the Spaniards,” explains Prof. Toral.
Enfatizó que no hay motivo para entrar en pánico. Sin embargo, es prudente que la población sepa cuales son los mejores pasos a tomar ahora, y más tarde, dependiendo de cómo se evolucione esta situación.
I emphasize that there is no reason to panic. Nevertheless, it is prudent that the population understands the best steps to take right now and in the near future, depending on how the situation evolves.
Se recomienda mantener un nivel de observación elevado, notando:
Actividad física del ambiente – notar retumbos o réplicas, su intensidad y frecuencia, perturbaciones en los ríos o las quebradasAnomalías en el ambiente – movimientos de animales silvestres y cotidianos – si se alejan o se alteran, cambios en el nivel del “ruído ambiental”, si hay mucho ruído, o muy poco, otros Cambio-– en la vegetación, la temperaturas en pozos y riachuelos, olores en el aire anormales o distintos, sabores o colores distintos en el agua del grifo, etc.
I recommend that you maintain an elevated observation level, specifically noting:
Physical activity of the atmosphere–notice rumblings or other sounds, their intensity and frequency, disturbances in the rivers or the gorges, changes in the level of the “environmental noise”, if there is a lot of noise, or suddenly very little..Anomalies in the atmosphere, and the daily movements of wild and domestic animals - if they move away or they are altered, other Changes - in the vegetation, the temperatures in wells and brooks, abnormal or different scents in the air, flavors or colors different in the water from the faucet, etc.
“Lo más importante es la observación, notando si hay cambios en el ambiente. Los “sensores humanos” siguen siendo tan esenciales hoy como cuando el Prof. Ing. Bert J. Shelton Vásquez, el fundador del Instituto de Geociencias de Panamá, concibió ese término,” asegura el Prof. Toral. “Datos aportados por el público son un componente muy importante en nuestro análisis.”
“The most important aspect is to pay attention to changes in the atmosphere. Our “human sensors” continue being as important today as when Professor of Engineering, Bert J. Shelton Vásquez, the founder of the Institute of Geociencias of Panama, conceived that term,” According to Professor Toral. “Data contributed by the public is a very important part of our analysis.”
También, hay que observar y analizar los efectos secundarios causados por esta reciente actividad y notar su posible impacto a la población. Por ejemplo, los daños importantes a edificios, puentes, u otras estructuras; o represas formadas en los ríos por deslizamientos u otras causas que luego pueden causar inundaciones, etc.
Also, it is necessary to observe and to analyze the indirect effect caused by this recent seismic activity, and to notice its possible impact to the population. For example, any important damage to buildings, bridges, or other structures; any dams formed in the rivers by hill slides or other causes that could cause floods etc.
Lo importante es que no hay necesidad para tener pánico ni tampoco abandonar áreas innecesariamente.
The important thing is not to panic or to leave the area when it is not necessarily.
Todos deberán estar atentos para tomar decisiones según la evolución de la situación actual. Para la tranquilidad mental, siempre es bueno estar preparado y tener un plan hecho por si lo inesperado pasa. Elementos del plan incluyen:
1) Analizar e identificar las áreas más seguras de su casa o su propiedad,
2) Decidir qué hacer en caso de una alerta roja,
3) Ver por donde salir, si decide abandonar el área,
4) Estacionar carros en posición para poder salir, y no bajo una estructura,
5) Asegurar que hay suficiente combustible para la misma,
6) Tener abastos de agua y comida.
With regard to significant change in seismic activity, everyone must make some important decisions. For peace of mind, and survival, it is always good to be prepared to have a predetermined plan in case the unexpected happens. Elements of you plan should include:
1) Identify the safest areas in your house or property,
2) Determine what to do in case of a red alert or actual emergency,
3) Determine where you will go, if you have to leave the area,
4) Park your car in a safe place so that it will not become incapacitated in an earthquake or flood, and will be accessible in an emergency,
5) Insure that you car or other vehicle has sufficient fuel at all times. In a real emergency fuel may not be available. Gas pumps need electricity to function..
6) It is very important that you have ample supplies of water and food at your house.Aunque no se han sentido tantos movimientos seguidos en muchos años, por su posición física, Chiriquí siempre ha sido y será la parte de nuestro país que más se mueve.
Although it has been many years since significant seismic activity has been felt, Chiriquí has always been, and will to continue be the part of our country where the ground moves the most.
“Nuestro Volcán Barú es un volcán relativamente joven y este es un aviso: “¡no estoy tan muerto!” que nos está dando. No quiere que lo tengamos como un aparato olvidado.” Subraya, el Prof. Toral.
“Our Barú Volcano is a relatively young volcano and it is giving us a warning: “I am not a dead as you think.” Clearly, Barú Volcano does not want us to believe that it is dead.” stresses Prof. Toral.
English Translation by Jim Sayers
I hope, all of you in Chiriqui are well this morning. We have morning just now
and everywhere it is calm and sunny - remember, very,very old ground in Finland and in peace.
But I understand something about your situation, I have been In Greece during earthquake, when houses collapsed during a week, and people must
gather on open places. But my home and children were in safe in Finland, of course it was totally different to me than you have.
But I remember, when it started to quake, Japanese were outside in a moment, but we Finnish only were sitting and looking at people, because we didn`t understand, what is happening. Japaneses knew how to behave.
So, it is really important to get ready for unusual in advance .
Calm days for everybody,
Leena
Yes, I remember one time when I was working in California and a airplane flew ofer and created a sonic boom. People ran outside because they thought it was a quake and didn’t want to be in the buildings. So fare these are minor and hopefully won’t be mush of a problem.
I do not recall the sismic situation being this bad before! Last night there was a temblor here in Panama City, around 11 PM. Mi sister in La Chorrera also felt it.
A big hug,
M
This is the most activity I have seen in the three + years that I have lived here. I felt two mild tremors here in David yesterday afternoon. If you are feeling tremors in Panama, I bet the residents in some of the high skyscrapers could be getting a little jittery.
Friends:
Don´t panic, please. The more frequently we feel those movements, the more slowly energy is being released. I do believe that in one way or another, we are all sitting on tectonic plates. During the Bocas del Toro big earthquake years ago, an idea from my father suddenly came to mind: “When you cross on a swinging bridge, don´t walk as if you were Miss Universe, just walk like a drunk man.”( The Chriqui River bridge had collapsed and I was working at the College of Ag. Sciences … but, fortunately, I never crossed the swinging bridge.) Then, during that earthquake, I decided to continue holding an iron bar,but in order to avoid dizziness, I DANCED! ( vals steps).
On the spiritual side, let´s continue trusting the Lord who cares for us every single moment and loves us much more than we are able to understand.
Bye now,
Hilda
Thanks for stopping in. You are correct in that panic never helps. However, being informed and prepared does help. The latest reports reflect that the tremors are reducing in number and intensity.
Dear Don Ray:
Thanks for your reply. Obviously, being informed and prepared is of great help. I should congratulate Mr. Jim Sayer for the accurate, idomatic translation.
Hilda Pitti Alvarado