Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which factor primarily dictates the increased height of a tsunami as it approaches coastal areas?
Which factor primarily dictates the increased height of a tsunami as it approaches coastal areas?
- Stronger winds pushing waves inland.
- Decreased water depth near the shore. (correct)
- Increased wave speed in shallow water.
- Collision with other ocean currents.
Besides ground shaking, what other geological phenomenon during an earthquake directly contributes to the collapse of buildings due to weakened ground support?
Besides ground shaking, what other geological phenomenon during an earthquake directly contributes to the collapse of buildings due to weakened ground support?
- Aftershocks
- Surface ruptures
- Landslides
- Liquefaction (correct)
Why are fires considered a common secondary effect following earthquakes in urban areas?
Why are fires considered a common secondary effect following earthquakes in urban areas?
- Ruptured gas lines and exposed electrical wiring igniting flammable debris. (correct)
- Sunlight focusing through broken glass causing spontaneous combustion.
- Deliberate arson due to post-earthquake chaos.
- Increased volcanic activity triggered by seismic events.
How does damage to roads and bridges from an earthquake most significantly impede emergency response efforts?
How does damage to roads and bridges from an earthquake most significantly impede emergency response efforts?
In addition to immediate structural repairs, what is a significant long-term economic consequence for a region severely impacted by an earthquake?
In addition to immediate structural repairs, what is a significant long-term economic consequence for a region severely impacted by an earthquake?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of liquefaction during an earthquake?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of liquefaction during an earthquake?
A coastal community is assessing its vulnerability to earthquake-related hazards. Which combination of primary and secondary effects would pose the greatest threat to this community?
A coastal community is assessing its vulnerability to earthquake-related hazards. Which combination of primary and secondary effects would pose the greatest threat to this community?
How might the destruction from an earthquake differ between an area built on solid bedrock versus one built on loose, saturated soil?
How might the destruction from an earthquake differ between an area built on solid bedrock versus one built on loose, saturated soil?
During an earthquake, a section of a major highway is severely damaged due to ground rupture, and a nearby hillside collapses, blocking the road completely with debris. What combination of effects is demonstrated in this scenario?
During an earthquake, a section of a major highway is severely damaged due to ground rupture, and a nearby hillside collapses, blocking the road completely with debris. What combination of effects is demonstrated in this scenario?
Which of the following describes a primary effect of an earthquake that can directly contribute to widespread destruction in a populated area?
Which of the following describes a primary effect of an earthquake that can directly contribute to widespread destruction in a populated area?
Flashcards
Earthquake
Earthquake
Shaking of the ground caused by movement of tectonic plates, occurring on land or under oceans.
Epicenter
Epicenter
The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake, where vibrations originate; typically experiences the most severe damage.
Earthquake Effects (Primary vs. Secondary)
Earthquake Effects (Primary vs. Secondary)
Primary effects are immediate consequences like ground shaking, landslides, liquefaction, and surface ruptures. Secondary effects include fires and tsunamis.
Ground Shaking
Ground Shaking
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Liquefaction
Liquefaction
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What is a tsunami?
What is a tsunami?
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What structural damage is caused by earthquakes?
What structural damage is caused by earthquakes?
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How do damaged transportation routes impact emergency response?
How do damaged transportation routes impact emergency response?
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How do earthquakes cause fires?
How do earthquakes cause fires?
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What is a primary economic effect of earthquakes?
What is a primary economic effect of earthquakes?
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Study Notes
- Earthquakes involve the shaking of the earth's surface due to tectonic plate movement.
- Earthquakes can occur on land or beneath oceans, leading to significant damage.
- Earthquakes can strike with minimal warning, with ground shaking felt hundreds of miles away from the epicenter.
- Earthquake destruction is usually concentrated near the epicenter.
Effects of Earthquakes
- Earthquakes cause primary and secondary damage.
- Primary effects include ground shaking, landslides, liquefaction, and surface ruptures.
- Primary effects result in building collapses, damaged infrastructure (roads, bridges), injuries, and fatalities.
- Secondary effects include fires and tsunamis, causing further harm to people and property.
Physical Land Damage
- Earthquakes can severely damage the ground and soil.
- Ground shaking during an earthquake can topple trees and cause additional damage.
- Landslides occur when rock and soil, especially wet soil, become dislodged and slide downhill.
- Landslides can block roads and disrupt utilities.
- Ground ruptures can cause large cracks or displace ground.
- Liquefaction happens when saturated ground acts like a liquid due to shaking, leading to the collapse of buildings and infrastructure.
- Tsunamis, large ocean waves, can be generated by earthquakes on the ocean floor.
- Tsunami waves can travel at high speeds and cause extensive coastal damage, reaching far inland.
Structural Damage
- Earthquakes in populated areas can cause extensive structural damage.
- Ground shaking, surface ruptures, and liquefaction can damage or collapse buildings, roads, and bridges, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
- Damaged infrastructure can impede emergency response efforts.
- Buildings can be displaced from their foundations, and utility lines can be disrupted.
- Fires are a common secondary effect due to exposed electrical wiring, ruptured gas lines, and flammable debris.
- The Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 led to widespread fires that destroyed much of the city, leaving 250,000 people homeless.
Economic Impact
- Earthquakes cause significant economic damage.
- Earthquake recovery requires funding for debris cleanup, reconstruction, and search and rescue efforts.
- Earthquakes disrupt businesses and cause job losses, straining the local economy.
- Displacement from homes, loss of utilities, and the need for basic necessities add to the economic burden.
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Description
Explore the causes and far-reaching effects of earthquakes. Learn about the primary and secondary damage they inflict, including ground shaking, landslides, and tsunamis. Discover how these natural disasters impact both land and human structures.
