Seismic Hazards- Impacts and Responses Flashcards
How do seismic events have impacts socially, economically, environmentally, and politically?
Social:
>Earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse, killing and injuring people, and leaving others homeless.
>Earthquakes and liquefaction can cause gas lines and power lines to break, starting fires that kill more people. Broken water pipes can cause flooding.
>Lack of clean water can cause disease to spread.
>Tsunamis can flood large areas, killing people and causing widespread damage to property.
Economic:
>Earthquakes can destroy business premises through ground shaking and liquefaction.
>Damage to the industry may mean that the country has to rely on expensive imports of goods and energy.
>Damage to buildings and infrastructure can be very expensive to repair.
Environmental:
> Industrial units, including power plants, can be damaged by earthquakes and tsunamis, causing leaks of chemicals or radioactive material that damage the environment.
>Fires started by damaged gas and electricity lines can destroy ecosystems.
>Tsunamis can flood freshwater ecosystems, killing plants and animals and salinizing water and soil.
Political:
>Shortages of food, water, and energy can cause conflict and political unrest.
>Governemnts may have to borrow money to repair the damage, putting the country in debt.
Prevention:
> It’s not possible to prevent a seismic hazard.
> However, it is possible to prevent eruptions from posing risk to people e.g. authorities can prevent land that is prone to liquefaction from being built on or build giant sea walls.
Preparedness:
> Authorities can install earthquake monitoring systems- these detect weaker seismic waves that may be a sign of a more powerful earthquake to come.
>Authorities can stop people from entering the area if a seismic hazard is likely.
>Individuals can make sure they are prepared by finding the nearest emergency shelter or making an emergency kit containing a torch, medicine, and dust masks.
>Communities can set up search and rescue teams or fire response units to tackle the impacts of the eruption.
Adaption:
> Adaptions are about how people change their behavior and surroundings to minimize the risk of a volcano.
> Buildings can be strengthened to reduce the chance of collapse and prevent the absorption of the earthquake’s energy.