Earthquakes Flashcards
what is the epicentre?
The point directly above the focus on the surface
what is the focus?
The point inside the crust where earthquakes start
why/when are shockwaves released?
when the rocks cannot withstand the pressure of the plates moving anymore
What is the Richter scale?
an objective measurement seismograph that measures energy waves emitted by earthquakes
what is a modified Mercalli scale?
A subjective opinion of the impact of earthquakes according to peoples opinions
What is a fault line?
A break on the ground that occurs when the Earth’s tectonic plates move where earthquakes are likely to occur
What is tension?
stress which stretches of rocks in the two opposite directions
what caused the Christchurch earthquake?
it is uncertain but most of New Zealand’s South Island is on the Pacific plate but the northern part of the island is on the Australian plate. The boundary between the two is exactly where the earthquake occurred.
what was the magnitude of the New Zealand earthquake?
6.3
what were the primary affects of the Christchurch of earthquake?
ground shaking and 185 deaths
what were the secondary effects of the Christchurch earthquake?
water shortage and no Tsunami
what was short-term responses for the New Zealand Earthquake?
temporary chemical toilets for 30,000 residents and around $6.7 million of international aid
what were long-term responses for the Christchurch earthquake?
water and sewage was restored. $898 million paid in the building claims.
what are the main differences between Christchurch and Nepal?
Nepal was located on a collisional plate Boundry however Christchurch was located on the conservative plate
Kathmandu had a earthquake size of 11 km whereas Christchurch had size of 6km
Nepal is a LEDC and New Zealand is a MEDC
Deaths
what was the magnitude of the Nepal earthquake?
7.8
what caused in the Nepal earthquake?
sudden release of built-up stress along with the major fault line where the Indian plate is slowly subducting Beneze the Eurasian plate
when did the Nepal earthquake happen?
25th of April 2015 at 6:11 AM
when did the Christchurch earthquake happen?
22nd of February 2011 at 12:51 PM
what were the primary affects of the Nepal earthquake?
ground shaking and 9000 deaths
what were the short term responses of the Nepal earthquake?
water and medical support from UK, China and other countries
Field hospitals were overcrowded
what were the long-term responses for the Nepal earthquake?
roads were repaired and landslides where cleared
tourism sites were reopened and income continued
what similarities in responses did the New Zealand and Nepal earthquake have?
donations, temporary housing and water and sewage restored
What was the main similarity between Christchurch and Nepal?
they both had some sort of large after-shocks and other countries provided financial aid
