Risks associated with earthquake zones

Question 1

List the 6 risks / impacts associated with earthquakes.

Answer 1

1. Destruction of infrastructure [e.g. transportation]
2. Destruction of properties [e.g. homes, agricultural lands]
3. Tsunami [flooding]
4. Disruption to services [e.g. water, electricity and communication]
5. Landslides
6. Loss of lives

Question 2

Destruction of infrastructure is a serious impact because …
[ 3 reasons]

Answer 2

Damaged infrastructure could be:

• delay rescue work / medical assistance for victims
• escape route may become inaccessible
• expensive to repair

E.g. Kobe, Japan in 1995; repair work costs US$300 million

Question 3

Destruction of properties is a serious impact because …

[2 reasons]

Answer 3

1. People may lose their homes and become homeless, or they may move into a temporary shelter.

E.g. Tohoku, Japan in 2011.

2. People may suffer from long-term health concerns as a result of losing their homes [e.g depression]

Question 4

Tsunami is a serious impact because …

[3 reasons]

Answer 4

1. Coastal areas are submerged
2. Properties are damaged
3. Lives are lost

E.g. 2004 tsunami caused by earthquake at the Indian Ocean damaged coastal communities in 12 countries.

Question 5

Disruption to services is a serious impact because …

[2 reasons]

Answer 5

1. Water and electricity supplies were disrupted, which may potentially affect or even threaten the people’s survival
2. Communication lines were damaged, which may delay rescue work.

Question 6

Landslide is a serious impact because …

[2 reasons]

Answer 6

1. Damage properties
2. Loss of lives

E.g. 1970 Ancash earthquake triggered a landslide at Mt Huascaran and killed over 20,000 people

Question 7

Loss of lives is a serious impact because …

Answer 7

Lives lost cannot be replaced.