Chapter 2 Gateway 3 Flashcards
With reference to examples, explain how land use regulation act as a preparedness measure for earthquake.
Land use regulation are a set of rules implemented to restrict development in certain areas. For example, in California, United States of America, all new buildings development are not built across fault linea or areas at risk of liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs when vibration from earthquake caused saturated soil to flow like liquid. The ground become unstable and building should not be constructed in these areas as it is unsafe. Another land use regulation the prohibition of constructing new buildings on low-lying land which are vulnerable to tsunamis. Development may be allowed only when protective barrier such as breakwater are build. These regulation are commonly implemented along the coast of Japan and North America. In implementing land use regulation, one concern is that they may often need to be carried out in areas which may already be built-up or a privately owned. In some cases, government authorities will buy land from private owners, compensate those that have to move and put in place effective protective measures. However, this strategy are costly. Private owner may be reluctant to move and they often believe that another hazard would not occur.
With reference to examples, explain how infrastructure is used as a preparedness measure for earthquake.
Infrastructure need to be developed with advanced engineering to withstand the vibration associated with earthquake. Homes, office Buildings and factories can be fitted with trip switches to ensure that all electrical points are switched Off in the event of an earthquake. This measure prevents fire from breaking out. In Japan, machines in manufactory automatically shut down when they sense earthquke vibration. One example of effective design is Taipei 101 in Taiwan. It is made of steel and reinforced concrete. Steel and reinforced concrete are able to withstand earthquake better than brittle materials such as non reinforced concrete. It also consists of a damping device. Dampling devices act as shock absorbers for some of the seismic energy released during an earthquake. Dampling devices also act as counterweight which move in the opposite direction to the motion of the earthquake. They prevent a building from swinging too much and collapsing. Construction buildings with wide and heavy bases decreases the likelihood of this building from collapsing. The foundation of Taipei 101 is reinforced by heavy metal band. Base isolation bearing made of rubber or cushion can be placed between the ground and the building. These bearing act as a buffer to prevent the building from shaking too much during an earthquake. When an earthquake occur, isolation bearing absorb the force of the earthquake and reduce the movement of the building. For example, lead rubber bearings are used at Sabina Gökcen Airport in Istanbul.
With reference to examples, explain how emergency drills is used as a preparedness measure for earthquake.
Emergency drills are a form of preparedness measure why people practice the steps to take where an earthquake occur. This create awareness among the population and reduces levels of panic and irrational behavior. Since 1960, Japan conducts emergency grill on 1 September. People from all over Japan are involved in the annual disaster prevention day, where an earthquake of high magnitude is simulated. The intention is to prepare people mentally on how to react to a disaster. Main roads are blocked to create a possible road condition in the event of an earthquake. To reach affected areas, emergency vehicles have to seek alternatives road. However, emergency drill are often designed based on the most serious of earthquake ever recorded in the area in the past. As the earthquake that occured in Tohuko, Japan, in 2011 was on a scale never experienced before in Japan, the emergency drills and evacuation plans were inadequate to prevent the devastation of the areas affected by the earthquake.
With reference to examples, explain how earthquake monitoring and warning system is a preparedness measure for earthquake.
Earthquake can be monitored by the studying the history of earthquake and where earthquakes have occurred. This provide estimation of the frequency and magnitude of earthquake at a particular fault line. This way, earthquake can be predicted. Seismic risks maps which shows the likelihood of location at risk from earth movement or liquefaction are produced from such studies. However this studies can only give a general indication of the frequency and magnitude of an earthquake. The maps do not provide precise information about time, location and magnitude of futureearthquake. Installing earthquake sensors in earthquake zones help monitor the frequency vibration and detect possible development of an earthquake. Earthquake motion data is gathered from hundred of observation station installed on bridges and road in Japan These station monitors ground motion and enable the occurrence of an earthquake to be predicted. Earthquake sensors are also used to quickly estimate damage to bridges , railways and other infrastructure. However, monitoring and warning system has limitation. An earthquake usually occurs seconds after the warning is given so warnings may not be provided sufficient time for evacuation. Noise, lightning or device failure may interfere with seismograph and result in false warning being given.
With reference to examples, explain how tsunami monitoring system and warning system act as a preparedness measure for earthquake.
Tsunami monitoring device help predict tsunami. They are often link to warning system which are activated to warn people about occurrence of a tsunami. For example, a network of pressure sensors, seismograph and deep ocean tsunami detectors are located in Hawaii, United States of America, to monitor and forecast the path of tsunami. In a deep ocean tsunami detector, a surface buoy is connected to a pressure sensor anchored onto the seafloor. Temperature and pressure are measured and relayed to the buoy every 15 seconds. Information is sent via satellite to land-based tsunami warning station for analysis. However, the deep-ocean tsunami detectors has limitations. They are prone to giving false alarm when waves got high and there’s little time to evacuate once approaching tsunami is detected.
With reference to examples, explain two short-term responses to earthquake.
One short-term response to earthquake is search and rescue. People trapped under a collapsed building at quickly located and free. Some survivors are found after being trapped without food. Find example, after an earthquake in Tokyo, Japan, in 2011, sniffer dogs and heat sensors were deployed and successfully rescued many who are trapped. However, rescue workers only have a limited time of 3 days to find trapped people. Without food and water, trap people are unlikely to survive after 3 days.
One-short response to earthquake is giving emergency, food and medical supplies. The injured are treated and clean drinking water is provided the survivors to prevent dehydration and the spread of diseases. The provision of immediate aid help survivors continue with their lifes. However, medical supplies, food and water may not be sufficient and this may cause social unrest. For example, after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, looting and fighting broke out as people fought for food and medical supplies.
With reference to examples, explain two long-term responses to earthquake.
One long-term response to earthquake is rebuilding of infrastructure. Infrastructure and amenities are rebuilt and improved upon after a disaster. Authorities often develop stricter building codes to ensure infrastructure is restored at a higher safety level than before. For example, after the earthquake in Kobe, Japan, in 1995, Japan’s spent billions developing technology to build more earthquake-resistant building. Reinforced building, which are built to protect against earthquake, are not necessary protector against tsunamis.. Additional protection such as breakwater are still required. For example, although many of Chile’s building are earthquake-resistant, the coastal areas suffered massive damage from a tsunami when earthquake struck in 2010.
One long-term response to earthquake is provision of healthcare. Help options such as long-term counselling are provided. The loss of loved ones, home or job after earthquake causes long lasting trauma. These problem can be identified and addressed early. However, improving health options after earthquake can be very challenging. For example, many survivors, such as those in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, continue to lack access to basic necessities.
