geographical inquiry asssessment 2

05/03/2023 Layla Bellantone 1

A GUIDE TO SURVIVING & MANAGING YOURSELF DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

Year 8 –Landforms and landscapes assignment

Assessment 2- Geographical inquiry

05/03/2023 Footer Text 2

What is an earthquake? Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or

sudden shock of the earth’s surface. They are the Earth's natural means of

releasing stress. Earthquakes can be felt over large areas

although they usually last less than one minute.

Earthquakes cannot be predicted, although scientists are working on it.

An aftershock is an earthquake of less intensity that follows the main earthquake.


What causes an earthquake?

There are about 20 plates along the surface of the earth that move continuously and slowly past each other. When the plates squeeze or stretch, huge rocks form at their edges and the rocks shift with great force, causing an earthquake.


Here are the different type of Tectonic plates.


What is a Tsunami? It’s a wave generated in a body of water by a

physical disturbance. Possibly produced by an (underwater)

earthquake or volcanic eruption. Erroneously known as “tidal waves” “First the waters withdraw from the shore,

leaving a seabed exposed. Then the waters return as a breaker that may reach heights of 40 feet. The wave carries away virtually everything in its path and may travel a mile or more inland before returning to sea.”

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How Earthquakes are Measured

In 1935, Charles Richter devised the “Richter Scale” to measure the amount of energy released during an earthquake.

Richter magnitude is calculated from the height of the largest earthquake body wave recorded on a specific type of seismograph.


The Richter Scale


Interconnections within environments & between people and places

(Why people often live on tectonic plate lines)

Natural resources Much of the Earth's natural

resources ( energy, minerals and soil) are located near plate boundaries. The use of these obtainable resources has continued to help communities past and in the present.



(Why people often live on tectonic plate lines) (Part 2)

Abundant soils Volcanoes (besides causing much damage)

have also benefited communities in the long term.

This is because the physical breakdown of volcanic rocks creates some of the most fertile soils on Earth.

EG: One of the best rice-growing regions of Indonesia (Bali) is in the shadow of an active volcano. Also, many agricultural regions in the United States (EG: California) have rich soils entirely or mostly made from a volcanic starting point.



(Why people often live on tectonic plate lines) (Part 3)

Ore deposits

Most of the metallic minerals mined in the world, ( EG: copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc)

are associated with volcanic emission found deep within the origins of extinct volcanoes located above seduction zones.

Rising magma does not always reach the surface to erupt Instead it may slowly cool and harden beneath the volcano to

form a wide variety of crystalline rocks (generally called plutonic or granitic rock.

Ore deposits commonly form around the magma bodies that feed volcanoes because there is a ready supply of heat, which convectively moves and circulates ore-bearing fluids.

The metals, originally scattered in trace amounts in magma or surrounding solid rocks, become concentrated by circulating hot fluids and can be re-deposited, under favorable temperature and pressure conditions, to form rich mineral veins.


These are some of the hazards associated with earthquakes

Collapsing buildings & bridges Disruption of gas, electricity &

telephone/internet services. Landslides & Avalanches Flash Floods Fires Tsunamis (which are underwater

earthquakes)


How to prepare for an oncoming earthquake (Before the Earthquake) Check for Hazards Identify safe places indoors & outdoors Learn How to shut off the electricity &

Gas at the meter box and gas point. Have Emergency Supplies of food and

medical well stocked and safely stored and accessible.

Develop a Communication Plan with your neighbours


Check for hazards Fasten shelves and décor securely to

walls Place heavy objects on lower shelves Hang heavy items away from places

where people sit Store any flammable items securely

on bottom shelves in proper containers.


Identify safe places Look for places to hide under such as a

heavy desk or table Against an inside wall Make sure you are away from any and all

glass Make sure you are away from any heavy

furniture that might fall over Stay away from the open & keep away

from buildings, trees, electrical lines, overpasses etc.


Emergency Supplies Torches, candles & matches & extra batteries Battery-operated radio Your mobile phone Your laptop (many people who have been involved in earthquakes –such as my Auntie in the

Aquila Earth quake of 2009 were still able to have internet access)

Emergency food and water. Can opener Medication First Aid kit and manual Tools & Supplies


How to prepare for an oncoming earthquake (During the Earthquake)

Get inside!!!! If you’re indoors, stay there!

Stay away from : Bookshelves, Storage racks,

Windows, Glass and Mirrors, Light Fixtures, Any other heavy objects.


In the USA, the standard procedure isknown as DUCK-COVER-HOLD.


How to prepare for an oncoming earthquake (What to do after the Earthquake)

Move very carefully and only if you need to Be careful when exiting or entering buildings Check for injured or trapped persons Do not move unless you in immediate danger Check your water supplies Salvage canned goods Turn-on battery-operated radio or if available

internet/mobile phone for latest safety reports.


References The Fire and emergency services of

America website (FESA) Fesa.com World Atlas.com Quora.com

geographical inquiry asssessment 2

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