Earthquakes

Question 1

Christchurch 2010 and 2011

Answer 1

7.1 magnitude EQ in September 2010, just 40km from Christchurch- minimal impacts though.
Aftershock on February 22nd 2011. Probability of it occurring was just 25%, but it struck just 5km from Christchurch’s CBD at 6.0 magnitude.
200,000 tonnes of saturated silt due to liquefaction
182 deaths
Building codes were in place to protect against a 1 in 500 year event, but 10,000 properties were damaged and in need of demolition.

Question 2

Nepal earthquake

Answer 2

April 2015 main
May 2015 aftershock
80km from Kathmandu
Avalanche killed
Thousands evacuated before flooding inundated 1km upstream of the dam
9000 killed, 1/3 of population affected
90% of tourist bookings cancelled

Question 3

Sulawesi earthquake

Answer 3

M7.4 in Sept 2018, created a tsunami near Palu.
6m tsunami waves
Tsunami warning was lifted just 34 minutes after it was put out, so people stayed near the beaches
All 21 tsunami detector buoys were not working
400 killed
BAD PPM

Question 4

Japan tsunami protection

Answer 4

Tokyo has a 235ft deep cistern to drain away flood water
Ofunato constructed offshore breakwaters after a tsunami in 1960. Successfully dissipated a tsunami wave in 1968
Taro has 10m high sea walls.

Question 5

Haicheng

Answer 5

Changes in water levels and strange pet behaviour indicated an EQ was possible.
Evacuation was ordered before the M7.3 EQ
Killed 2000 but estimated that 150,000 would’ve died without the evacuation.
No prediction or evacuation a year later and a M7.6 EQ in Haicheng killed an estimated 250,000