Earthquakes Flashcards
Is it possible to predict earthquakes?
Where they might happen but not when
What is the one method of predicting earthquakes?
Earthquake Storms
What is an earthquake storm?
A pattern of cyclic earthquake behaviour
How were earthquake storms discovered?
Studies of the San Andreas Fault by the USGS discovered a pattern of earthquakes in Parkfield, California
What equipment was used to discover Earthquake Storms?
Seismometers
GPS
Creep Meters
How was the theory of Earthquake Storms confirmed?
Using computer modelling, the USGS saw behaviour along the North Anatolian fault and predicted an earthquake in Izmit, Turkey. In 1999, there was an earthquake in Izmit.
Where is the next earthquake predicted along the North Anatolian Fault?
Istanbul
Why would an earthquake in Istanbul be devastating?
It is home to 14 million people?
How many people died in Izmit?
17,000
Why did so many people die in Izmit?
Because the prediction was ignored since the prediction did not say when
When was the Japan Tsunami?
2011
What two plates does Japan lie near?
The Pacific and Eurasian
What was the cause of the Japan Tsunami?
Distortion had built up in the Eurasian plate because it had subsided and the stick built up over 200 years. When it was released energy was released upwards causing the plate to go upwards forcing 6km deep water to form a swell towards Japan.
What magnitude was the Japan Earthquake?
9
What was the response to the Japan Tsunami in Fukushima?
There was an auto shut down of the nuclear reactors but they were still hot and there were multiple reactor meltdowns?
What is at Fukushima?
6 Nuclear Reactors
Why was Fukushima vulnerable to an earthquake?
Needs a colossal water supply so next to sea
What happened at Miyako in 2011?
The defences put in place failed
What defences failed at Miyako?
a) The 10m high sea walls failed because the shoreline subsided making them much lower
b) The regular tsunami drills did not matter because the walls were breached
What significant economic damage occurred at Miyako?
Only about 30-60 boats survived from the town’s 960 ship fishing fleet
What damage occurred in Tokyo as a result of the 2011 tectonic activity?
The train systems were paralysed and a 6.2 aftershock cracked the ground
Was all the effects of the 2011 tsunami exclusive to Japan?
No, other places nearby such as Hawaii was hit within 6 hours
Why were the effects in Hawaii less than in Japan?
Because they had 6 hours to prepare and the wave was only 1m
How important is Search and Rescue?
It is not important unless used immediately since otherwise it can be ineffective
How important is aid?
Very important but is not a priority
How important is Security in the even of an earth hazard?
It is the biggest priority for a country because otherwise aid cannot be used effectively
What were the social consequences of the Haiti Earthquake?
Loss of family members
Injuries
Home and possessions lost
What were the economic consequences of the Haiti Earthquake?
Loss of job/livelihood
Loss of wage-earner in family
Cost of house repairs
What were the environmental consequences of the Haiti Earthquake?
Destruction of the environment
Water pollution
What were short term responses to the Haiti Earthquake?
Search and rescue efforts
Distributing medical aid
What were the long term responses to the Haiti Earthquake?
Rehousing people
Making sure the region is secure and there is no unrest
What was the cause of the Haiti Earthquake?
The stress built up along the N. American Plate and the Caribbean plate and was released by a sudden slippage.
Why was the the effects of the Haiti earthquake worse than say in Christchurch?
Haiti as a LEDC had not invested/could not afford in earthquake protection while in Christchurch they were able to afford to invest and quickly respond
What are the three strands of short term responses to earthquakes?
Rescuing
Relief
Security
What are long term management strategies for hazards?
Preparation
Prediction
What are are ways to prepare for hazards?
Hazard mapping
Building regulations
Education
Training
Who first proposed the earthquake storm theory?
Ross Stein
Where did the Turkish ‘storm’ begin?
Erzican (1939)
How much would an earthquake in Istanbul potentially cost?
$11 Billion
What has been introduced in Istanbul as a response to its vulnerability?
The Earthquake Master Plan for Istanbul (EMPI)
What does EMPI set out?
Preventative measures against potential earthquakes but also sets out a planned response to a potential earthquake, to reduce the after effects
Name the preventative measures set out by EMPI
Inspections by independent regulators for all new buildings
Compulsory earthquake insurance
Older buildings to be retrofitted
Improve emergency facilities
