GEOGRAPHY

ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY
NAME : SARAH DHODA

GRADE : 10 HART

EDUCATOR : MS . BOODHOO

DUE : 30 APRIL 2024

Earthquakes vs. Volcanoes: A Geographical Perspective
on the Destructiveness of the Natural Phenomena’s
Earthquakes and volcanoes are two formidable forces of nature that
shape the Earth's landscape and impact societies in numerous ways.
While both phenomena can cause significant destruction, earthquakes
stand out as more destructive based on multiple geographical factors.

An earthquakes are the result of sudden movement along faults within

the earth, a vibration in the earths crust where as a volcano is an
opening on the surface that allows material warmer than its
surroundings to escape from its interior.

As earthquakes have a wider geographical reach compared to

volcanoes. Earthquakes can occur in any region of the world, including
areas far from tectonic plate boundaries, such as intraLATA regions. In
contrast, volcanoes are predominantly found along tectonic plate
boundaries and hotspots, resulting in more localised impacts.. The
widespread occurrence of earthquakes increases their potential to
affect densely populated areas, leading to higher fatality and greater
infrastructural damage.

Furthermore, the frequency and unpredictability of earthquakes pose

significant challenges for disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.

Likewise , earthquakes often trigger secondary hazards such as

tsunamis, landslides, and liquefaction, amplifying their destructive
power. For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, refer to images
1 – 4 below , generated a massive tsunami that devastated coastal
communities across multiple countries, resulting in hundreds of
thousands of fatalities. Volcanic eruptions, while capable of causing
localised devastation, typically do not have the same widespread
impact as earthquake-induced tsunamis.

Earthquakes have a known characteristic of striking suddenly and

without warning, leaving little time for evacuation or response unlike

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volcanic eruptions, which often display warning signs such as volcanic
gas emissions and increased seismic activity such as the volcanic
eruptions , images 10 – 14, from Mount Tomboa and Krakatoa . This
unpredictability in earthquakes aggravates the potential for
catastrophic outcomes, especially in densely populated urban areas
with inadequate infrastructure and emergency services such as for
example the earthquake , refer to images below 5 – 9, in Turkey – Syria
or Japan

In conclusion, while both earthquakes and volcanoes are formidable

natural phenomena, earthquakes emerge as the more destructive force
based on their wider geographical reach, propensity for triggering
secondary hazards, and unpredictability. Understanding the
geographical factors that contribute to the destructiveness of
earthquakes is crucial for effective disaster preparedness, mitigation,
and response efforts in vulnerable regions around the world.

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Harvard Style references from information gathered to compile essay in
completion of assigned task :

1. Smith, K., & Petley, D. Environmental hazards: Assessing risk and

reducing disaster.( Rutledge. 2009).

2. Stein, S., & Wysession, M.. An introduction to seismology,

earthquakes, and earth structure.( Blackwell Publishing, 2009 )

3. McGuire, B. Global seismic hazard assessment program: Historical

earthquake distributions. International Association of Seismology
( Rutledge, 2012)

4. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Global assessment report on disaster risk reduction(. Authors
best, 2011)

5. https://www.usgs.gov/naturalhazards/volcano/earthquackes-
2020

6. L.Dilley, J.Earle, G.Keats, G.Ravenscroft, A.Nxele . Geography Focus

Grade 10 ( Maskew Miller longman 2016) .