Learning Objectives:1) To know the primary and secondary effects of

earthquakes2) To learn how we cope with earthquakes and eruptions3) To understand why some countries find it harder than

others to deal with natural hazards

This is a disaster survival kit. Describe how the contents of such kits help people survive the first days after an earthquake or volcanic eruption.

STARTER

The effects of earthquakesPrimary: • Collapsed buildings, roads and bridges

which kill many people.

• People are killed by being trapped in their homes, places of work and cars.

• Those who survive can suffer from trauma and shock

The effects of earthquakes

Secondary• Fire- caused by fractured gas pipes and electricity wires being

brought down. Fires spread quickly in areas of poor quality housing.

• Tsunamis- giant sea waves caused by a sea floor earthquake and dangerous for people living in low-lying coasts.

• Landslides- occur on steep slopes and in areas of weak rocks e.g. sand and clays.

• Disease e.g. typhoid and cholera spread easily when pipes burst and there is shortage of fresh water and contamination from sewage.

• Famine

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/natural_hazards/earthquakes_video.shtml

The Power of the EarthquakeThe strength of an earthquake is measured on the Richter

scale. Earthquakes more than 6.0 usually result in some damage.

GeologyThe effect of an earthquake is less on solid rock and

greater on weak sands and clays

Depth of earthquakeGenerally the closer the earthquake’s focus is to the earth’s

surface, the greater the damage

Why do some people die in some earthquakes more than others?

Location of epicentre The epicentre is the point on the surface directly above the

focus (start of the earthquake). It is at this point where the energy from an earthquake is usually at its greatest.

Level of development of the countryEarthquakes which occur in the richer countries of the

world often have fewer fatalities simply due to the greater state of preparedness which is facilitated by the greater amount of money available to put into earthquake research, monitoring and preparation.

Some examples of reasons for an often greater death toll in LEDCs- Buildings are often not earthquake proof and built out of flimsy

materials- Emergency services in LEDCs have less training and equipment- Lack of money for prediction and monitoring systems- Cities in LEDCs are densely populated with houses packed close

together, resulting in danger from collapsed buildings and spread of fire

Time of day/ YearThere are seasonal differences in temperature which can exacerbate

the effects of the quake. People can be forced to live in tents with freezing temperatures. Where conditions are much warmer bodies will decay more rapidly and spread disease.

Population densityAn area of dense population is likely to experience more deaths than a

rural area simply due to a greater likelihood of people being affected by the quake and more buildings, road networks and bridges which may collapse.

It is hard to predict earthquakes. A seismometer can be used to monitor tremors inside the Earth’s crust and therefore identify potential earthquakes. However, earthquake predictions are not accurate enough to rely upon. It is more worthwhile to invest money and resources in preparing for earthquakes.

How can people prepare for an earthquake?

Roads and buildings can be constructed to reduce the damage caused by earthquakes e.g. electric shutters to cover windows

Encouraging people to keep an earthquake kit in their homes including first aid items, tinned food and radio

Buildings can be constructed to be earthquake proof. The building absorb some of the energy released during an earthquake

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/preparing-for-earthquakes/5723.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/engineering-earthquake-resistant-structures/5725.html

Preparing for Earthquakes

Earthquake building design

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/natural_hazards/managing_hazards_video.shtml

Tectonic Management

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7260000/newsid_7267100/7267102.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&nol_storyid=7267102&bbcws=1

Earthquake felt in Yorkshire

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7729282.stm

Earthquake drills

Earthquake Dominoes