Managing seismic hazards case studies Flashcards
What is the WAPMERR? and its role?
Established in 2001, the World Agency of Planetary Monitoring and Earthquake Risk Reduction
Aim to reduce the risk from earthquakes by carrying out earthquake prediction, tsunami risk and the construction of seismic-resistant buildings in cities most at risk
What factors in Nepal can increase the vulnerability of a seismic event?
Deforestation reducing slope stability,
afforestation programmes operate in some parts of the country.
But the demand for fuel, building materials and fodder for livestock means that Nepalese forests continue to be under pressure
How does Nepal modify vulnerability?
Mapping of high-risk “shake zones”
Building codes introduced
Encouraging households to have a “go-bag” containing items useful in an earthquake emergency e.g. dried foods, bottled water
Introducing education programmes
Organising an annual Earthquake Awareness day
What non-governmental organisations operate in Nepal to modify vulnerability?
The National Society for Earthquake Technology founded in 1993
The Disaster Preparedness Network founded in 1996
How does Nepal modify loss from a seismic hazard?
When an event of high magnitude occurs, the intervention of international disaster relief agencies is needed.
330 humanitarian international agencies were involved in the aftermath of the 2015 quake. Such as the UN and EU
How successful were management techniques after the 2015 Nepal earthquake?
Risk maps for the city of Bharatpur suggested as many as 30% of the inhabitants could have been killed. There were no deaths in Bharatpur
Why is Japan advantaged in dealing with hazards?
Economic wealth, highly developed education system and stable political environment
How does Japan modify vulnerability from seismic hazards?
Research and monitoring
Buildings with aseismic designs
Fireproofing older wooden buildings
Land-use zoning that provides for open spaces where people can assemble after an earthquake
Controlling building in locations susceptible t ground shaking or liquefaction
Tsunami warning systems off the coast
Refuge sites on permanent stand-by equipped with tents, bottled water and blankets
Community preparedness-ongoing education and training for all ages
What research and monitoring does Japan do into seismic hazards?
The Japan Meterological Agency (JMA) lies at the neart of Japan’s mitigation for natural disasters. It is responsible for providing information and warnings of impending earthquakes and tsunamis.
Detailed disaster planning involves a wide range of organisations e.g. governments, medical services, fire, military, transport
What aseismic designs are used in Japan to modify vulnerability?
Steel framed, and braces capable of moving without collapsing; rubber shock absorbers in foundations; very deep foundations into solid rock; a “soft storey” at the bottom of tall buildings such as a car park which collapses allowing upper floors to sink down onto it.
Counter-weights on roofs, which move during an earthquake
suspension bridges capable of movement rather than rigid designs
Flexible joints in underground utility pipes e.g. gas and water
E.g after the Kobe earthquake in 1995 much work was undertaken in restrengthening structures such as bridges which were previously thought to be safe
How does Japan modify loss of seismic hazards?
Japan has vast resources to manage losses.
Well-rehearsed recovery and reconstruction plans at national, regional and local levels
The aim is to rebuild physically, economically and socially as quickly as possible
How does Japan compare to Nepal in management of seismic hazards?
EDCs and LIDCs have fewer resources and so their resilience is much less. As a result the impacts of earthquake disasters in the short term are more serious and longer-lasting
