Earthquakes

Plate Tectonics

Reducing the hazards of Earthquakes

• Reducing the impact of an Earthquake in the

HuM block

Aims: To understand what can be done to limit the loss of life and
destruction in the event of an Earth
What effects do earthquakes have?
How can we limit earthquake damage?
predict plan protect

water levels can rise in wells and

a tiltmeter can check any movement lakes because of cracks in the
within the rocks rock

1. predict

animals can act strangely before

the earthquake
foreshocks before the main quake
can be detected by a seismometer
How can we limit earthquake damage?
advise people to plan for an
earthquake (eg tell them to turn off
the gas, find a ‘safe’ place in their
homes, pack an emergency kit)
make an emergency plan

2. plan

enforce regulations to make organize regular ‘earthquake

some buildings earthquake practices’ for offices and
proof schools

What should people pack in their emergency kit?

Design a poster reminding people what to do in an earthquake.
Planning and protecting
 Buildings in earthquake zones
What makes a building strong?
strong lintels
overlapping bricks
deep foundations

Which shape of building

would be most
‘earthquake proof’?
This is San Francisco in the USA.
Why does this skyscraper have a wide base?
The Transamerican building
(San Francisco)
What do each of these features achieve?
• Shutters
Prevent injuries from breaking glass
• Open Areas
Prevent the ‘Domino Effect’ and act as areas
for assembly
• Rolling Weights
Computerised and act as counterbalance
• Shock Absorbers
Reduce the movement of building by
absorbing impact