Impacts of earthquake

Question 1

Disruption to services

Answer 1

• Violent vibrations can snap water and gas pipes, resulting in water shortages and cut gas supply
• Electricity and communication cables break, affecting important communication services such as warning systems and television broadcasts
• Roads and railways get damaged, disrupting transport services, making it difficult to rescue people or supply emergency aid.

EXAMPLES
In 2004, the 6.6 magnitude earthquake in Kobe, Japan damaged pipes and transmission lines which then disrupted electricity, gas, and water supplies to about a million of Kobe city’s 1.4 million residents.

Question 2

Destruction of properties

Answer 2

• Widespread destruction to buildings, homes, schools, leaving people homeless. They will need to seek temporary shelter.
• Bridges and roads may be damaged, making it difficult to reach disaster-hit areas, and may delay rescue work

EXAMPLES
In 2010, the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti resulted in 1.3 million people being homeless.

Question 3

Landslides

Answer 3

Violent shaking can cause trigger loose rocks and soil to move downslope, resulting in landslide.

Question 4

Destruction of infrastructure

Answer 4

• Bridges and roads may be damaged, making it difficult to reach disaster-hit areas, and may delay rescue work

EXAMPLES
In 1995, the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Kobe, Japan resulted in great destruction to the infrastructure. Many places in the city became difficult to reach.