Earthquake hazards

Map 1: Global distribution of earthquakes 196398

Source: NASA http://denali.gsfc.nasa.gov/dtam/seismic/

DETE

Map 2: World tectonic-plate boundaries

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1. Use Map 1 and Map 2 to describe the relationship beween plate boundaries and the
distribution of earthquake epicentres:
Most of the earthquakes is distributed on the plate boundaries, as it would be around the
transforming, diverging and converting boundaries, where the tectonics plates are moving
toward, apart or horizontal which create the changes of landform of either the continental or
oceanic plate above it as it maintance to keep on creating this movement.

1.
1

Propose an explanation for the spatial relationship between plate boundaries, tectonic
landforms and earthquake epicentres:
Tectonic landforms and eartquake epicentres are landforms which is formed or created after
the result of the plates movement either toward, apart or horizontal from each other.When it
moved toward each other it produce a pressure which force the continential layer (which one
of the plates usually slide beneath the other ) to pop-up create crack which magma is flown
out and form mountains or volcano by times. However on the other side, when the plate
moves horizontally it will cause the continential surface to craked and natural diaster like
earthquake happens.

1.
1

Identify and describe the effects that earthquakes can have on humans in the following
landscapes:

Urban landscape

Coastal landscape

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As urban areas consisted of the most population, it could cause a lot of

death as well as injury based on how strong the Richter Scale is. It
could cause serious destruction or damage to building, roads and
construction site as well as break water and gas lines, starting
uncontrollable fires. It would create intense shake, shockwave that
travel within earth.
A submarine earthquake can cause a tsunami, a series of damaging
waves that cause flood and inundate, submerge coastal cities which is
also the result of drowning, damaging, water populated and power
damage.

Mountain landscape

1.

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As it started to vibrate, rock and other object from mountains and hill will
begin rolling down, the greatest danger created from landslides includes
the ability to damage and destroy homes, block roads and streams,
disrupt pipes, water mains, sewers and power lines, damage oil and gas
production facilities, and generate massive dust clouds as well as
explosion.

Figure 1: Jacmel, Haiti, after the earthquake in January 2010

Power lines have fallen

Gas line broken

Construction damage

Balcony collapse

Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Defense.gov_photo_essay_100117-F-1644L-083.jpg

4. Refer to Figure 1. Annotate the image above to indicate the short-term effects of this
earthquake event. (An example has been done for you.)
5. Suggest social, economic and environmental long-term effects of an earthquake. Examples
have been provided:

Social effects

Economic effects

Environmental effects

(families, health, education)

(money, jobs, business,

recovery costs)

(waterways, vegetation,
air quality)

Disease outbreaks may

occur due to lack of access

to clean water.

Job losses may occur as

local businesses try to
rebuild and recover.

Families death may occur

Low income for family

Lack of food and water

(resource in general)

Reduced the economic

rate of the area.

Mental or social health

problem due to the
surrounding environment

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Disposal of debris
contributes to landfill.

Create explosion, shocks

through and any
conductive line due to
power line damage.