Ground Rupture

Ground rupture, also known as surface faulting, is a dramatic

consequence of earthquakes where the Earth's crust tears
open along a fault line. Here's a deeper look into this
phenomenon:
The Cause: Fault Movement
The Earth's crust is made up of tectonic plates that are
constantly moving. Faults are zones of weakness where these
plates grind past each other. During an earthquake, the
sudden release of energy can cause the rock along a fault to
break and shift, creating a visible crack on the surface.
Characteristics of Ground Rupture:
• Displacement: The ground on either side of the fault can
be displaced vertically (up or down) or horizontally
(sideways), or a combination of both. The amount of
 displacement can vary greatly depending on the
earthquake's magnitude and the specific fault zone.
• Size: Ground ruptures can range in size from a few
centimeters to several meters wide and can extend for
many kilometers in length, depending on the size of the
earthquake and the length of the fault that ruptures.
• Scarps: The displaced ground can create a steep cliff-like
feature called a scarp.
Impact of Ground Rupture
While less widespread than ground shaking, ground rupture
can be incredibly destructive to infrastructure and buildings
built directly on top of a fault line. Here's how it can cause
damage:
• Severed Infrastructure: Ruptures can tear apart roads,
pipelines, power lines, and other buried utilities.
 • Building Damage: Structures built across a fault line can
be split in two, experience severe foundation damage, or
collapse entirely depending on the severity of the rupture.
• Landslides: Ground ruptures can trigger landslides,
especially on slopes, causing additional damage and
hazards.
Predicting and Mitigating Ground Rupture
Unfortunately, predicting exactly where a ground rupture will
occur is challenging. However, geologists can map fault zones
and identify areas with a higher risk of experiencing ruptures.
This information is then used to:
• Land-use planning: Avoid constructing critical
infrastructure or buildings directly on known active fault
lines.
• Earthquake-resistant construction: In some cases,
special building codes and engineering techniques can be
used to make structures more resistant to the effects of
ground rupture.
ANSWER THE FF. ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1

1. Ground rupture, also known as surface faulting, is a dramatic consequence of earthquakes where the Earth's crust tears open along a __________.
2. The Earth's crust is made up of tectonic plates that are constantly __________.
3. Faults are zones of weakness where these plates __________ past each other.
4. During an earthquake, the sudden release of energy can cause the rock along a fault to break and __________, creating a visible crack on the surface.
5. Displacement: The ground on either side of the fault can be displaced vertically (up or down) or __________ (sideways), or a combination of both.
6. The amount of displacement can vary greatly depending on the earthquake's magnitude and the specific __________.
7. Ground ruptures can range in size from a few centimeters to several meters wide and can extend for many __________ in length.
8. The displaced ground can create a steep cliff-like feature called a __________.
9. While less widespread than ground shaking, ground rupture can be incredibly destructive to __________ and buildings built directly on top of a fault
line.
10. Ruptures can tear apart __________, pipelines, power lines, and other buried utilities.
11. Structures built across a fault line can be split in two, experience severe foundation damage, or __________ entirely depending on the severity of the
rupture.
12. Ground ruptures can trigger __________, especially on slopes, causing additional damage and hazards.
13. Unfortunately, predicting exactly where a ground rupture will occur is __________.
14. Geologists can map fault zones and identify areas with a higher risk of experiencing ruptures to inform __________.
15. Land-use planning aims to avoid constructing critical infrastructure or buildings directly on known active fault lines, while earthquake-resistant
construction techniques aim to make structures more resistant to the effects of __________.
ACTIVITY 2

1. Fault line A. Sudden appearance of a crack in the Earth's

2. Ground rupture surface.
3. Displacement B. Roads, pipelines, power lines, etc.
4. Scarp C. Damage caused by ground rupture splitting
5. Infrastructure roads or pipelines.
6. Severed Infrastructure D. Avoiding construction of critical buildings on
7. Building Damage fault lines.
8. Landslides E. Movement of the ground on either side of a
9. Fault zone mapping fault.
10. Land-use planning F. Cliff-like feature caused by displaced ground.
G. Identifying areas at high risk of ground
rupture.
H. Ground ruptures can trigger landslides on
slopes.
I. Weakness zones where tectonic plates move.
J. Structures built directly on a fault line are
more susceptible.

TRUE OR FALSE
1. True or False: Ground rupture is also known as surface faulting.
2. True or False: The Earth's crust is static and does not move.
3. True or False: Faults are zones of strength where tectonic plates slide smoothly past each other.
4. True or False: During an earthquake, the sudden release of energy cannot cause the rock along a fault to break and shift.
5. True or False: Displacement in ground rupture can only occur vertically.
6. True or False: The size of ground ruptures is independent of earthquake magnitude.
7. True or False: Scarps are flat, level features created by ground rupture.
8. True or False: Ground rupture is more widespread than ground shaking during an earthquake.
9. True or False: Ruptures can cause severe damage to buried utilities but not to roads or buildings.
10. True or False: Structures built across a fault line are immune to damage from ground rupture.
11. True or False: Landslides cannot be triggered by ground ruptures.
12. True or False: Predicting where a ground rupture will occur is straightforward and precise.
13. True or False: Geologists can map fault zones to identify areas with a higher risk of experiencing ground ruptures.
14. True or False: Land-use planning is not an effective strategy for mitigating the impact of ground rupture.
15. True or False: Earthquake-resistant construction techniques are not applicable for reducing the effects of ground rupture.