how to mitigate against seismic risk

Question 1

modifying the event

Answer 1

not possible, hard to predict

Question 2

modifying losses

Answer 2

• emergency aid eg Doctors Without Borders in Haiti, European Commission to Iran earthquake (1mill euros)
• disaster response teams
• using GIS for evacuation planning
• insurance for buildings

Question 3

modify vulnerability

Answer 3

• hazard mapping
• land use zoning eg Christchurch
• education
• community preparedness
• prediction + warning
• tsunami walls + coastal zoning; sea walls - steel reinforcements, dikes, offshore breakwaters

Question 4

Nepal; modifying vulnerability

Answer 4

• National society for Earthquake Technology + the disaster preparedness network; strategies inc mapping of high risk ‘shakezones’, building codes introduced, encouraging households to have a ‘go-bag’ eg bottles of water, introducing education programmes

Question 5

Nepal; modifying losses

Answer 5

• intervention of international disaster relief agencies is needed to mitigate its effects
• 330 humanitarian agencies involved in the aftermath of 2015 earthquake inc UK, EU + Japan

Question 6

Japan; modifying vulnerability

Answer 6

• research + monitoring JMA -> responsible for warnings of impending earthquakes + tsunamis
• detailed disaster planning involving wide range or organisations eg medical services
• buildings with aseismic design eg steel; frames + braces
• land use zoning that provides for spaces where people can assemble after an earthquake

Question 7

Japan; modifying loss

Answer 7

• vast resources to manage losses caused by earthquakes
• well rehearsed recovery + reconstruction plans at national, regional + local levels
• aim to rebuild quickly as possible

Question 8

engineering measures to reduce occurrence of resonance:

Answer 8

• change height of building
• reduce slop angle
• change type of building materials
• change shape of building

Question 9

reducing liquefaction hazards:

Answer 9

• compaction of building eg Museum of NZ on waterfront in wellington = high risk, dropped 30 tonnes of weights on the ground 50,000 times which took several months

Question 10

methods used to increase a buildings resilience to ground shaking

Answer 10

• reinforcing steel frames to absorb energy
• deep foundations on soft soil prevent liquefaction
• fitting energy absorbing pads into foundations