Managing Seismic Hazards

Question 1

Prediction

Answer 1

• Monitoring groundwater levels
• unusual animal behavior - e.g. Toad Exodus study by Ms Grant - a biologist + NASA - 4/5 criteria to be met for something to be done about imminent seismic hazard
• Fault lines such as the San Andreas fault can be monitored as well as the local magnetic field
• A study of patterns between 1969-1988: indicated a ‘seismic gap’ in Loma Prieta, the following year that same area experienced a seismic event in October 89’

Question 2

Prevention

Answer 2

• Next to impossible
• However, this does not stop hapless fools from trying i.e. some suggested to launch nuclear explosions at considerable depths: this would exacerbate the situation, NOT PREVENT IT.

Question 3

what is meant by the term protection?

Answer 3

Protection means preparing for an event by modifying the human and built environment to decrease vulnerability - includes modifying loss vie insurance + aid

Question 4

example of protection

Answer 4

In the USA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) programme has set out the following objectives:

• to promote understanding earthquakes and their effects
• to improve earthquake resistant design and construction techniques

Question 5

Aseismic

Answer 5

Buildings that can withstand the effects of earthquakes

Question 6

what are the three ways in which aseismic structures can be achieved?

Answer 6

• adding cross bracing to the structure to hold it together better when it shakes.
• by putting a large concrete weight on top of a building which will move, with the aid of a computer programmer in the opposite direction of the earthquake to counteract stress.
• putting together long rubber shock absorbers in the foundations which will allow some movement of the building.

Question 7

Loma Prieta (1989)

Answer 7

Loma Prieta

• 6.9 MMS
• 63 deaths
• Earthquake proof buildings

Question 8

Armenia (1988)

Answer 8

Armenia

• 6.8 MMS
• 25, 000 deaths
• Due to soft, non-resistant buildings structures buildings collapsed

Question 9

Protection - Education

Answer 9

• instructions issued by authorities to secure homes, appliances, heavy furniture and assembling earthquake kits
• fire drill practices: schools, offices, factories
  the American Red Cross established a list of supplies people would need in case of a seismic event:
• 3 days supply of water
• foodstuff (canned)
• clothing
• bedding
• batteries
• torches
• tools
• radio
• first aid as well as other things

Question 10

Protection - Land Use planning

Answer 10

• most hazardous areas in an event of an earthquake can be identified
• schools, hospitals, buildings can be relocated away from predicted hazardous zones
• imperative to have sufficient empty space - forms a safe space away from fires, aftershocks and damages to buildings