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Coping with earthquakes and eruptions. Learning Objectives : To know the primary and secondary effects of earthquakes To learn how we cope with earthquakes and eruptions To understand why some countries find it harder than others to deal with natural hazards. STARTER.
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Coping with earthquakes and eruptions Learning Objectives: To know the primary and secondary effects of earthquakes To learn how we cope with earthquakes and eruptions To understand why some countries find it harder than others to deal with natural hazards
STARTER This is a disaster survival kit. Describe how the contents of such kits help people survive the first days after an earthquake or volcanic eruption.
The effects of earthquakes Primary: • Collapsed buildings, roads and bridges which kill many people. • People are killed by being trapped in their homes, places of work and cars. • Those who survive can suffer from trauma and shock
The effects of earthquakes Secondary • Fire- caused by fractured gas pipes and electricity wires being brought down. Fires spread quickly in areas of poor quality housing. • Tsunamis- giant sea waves caused by a sea floor earthquake and dangerous for people living in low-lying coasts. • Landslides- occur on steep slopes and in areas of weak rocks e.g. sand and clays. • Disease e.g. typhoid and cholera spread easily when pipes burst and there is shortage of fresh water and contamination from sewage. • Famine http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/natural_hazards/earthquakes_video.shtml
Why do some people die in some earthquakes more than others? The Power of the Earthquake The strength of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale. Earthquakes more than 6.0 usually result in some damage. Geology The effect of an earthquake is less on solid rock and greater on weak sands and clays Depth of earthquake Generally the closer the earthquake’s focus is to the earth’s surface, the greater the damage
Location of epicentre The epicentre is the point on the surface directly above the focus (start of the earthquake). It is at this point where the energy from an earthquake is usually at its greatest. Level of development of the country Earthquakes which occur in the richer countries of the world often have fewer fatalities simply due to the greater state of preparedness which is facilitated by the greater amount of money available to put into earthquake research, monitoring and preparation.
Some examples of reasons for an often greater death toll in LEDCs • Buildings are often not earthquake proof and built out of flimsy materials • Emergency services in LEDCs have less training and equipment • Lack of money for prediction and monitoring systems • Cities in LEDCs are densely populated with houses packed close together, resulting in danger from collapsed buildings and spread of fire Time of day/ Year There are seasonal differences in temperature which can exacerbate the effects of the quake. People can be forced to live in tents with freezing temperatures. Where conditions are much warmer bodies will decay more rapidly and spread disease. Population density An area of dense population is likely to experience more deaths than a rural area simply due to a greater likelihood of people being affected by the quake and more buildings, road networks and bridges which may collapse.
It is hard to predict earthquakes. A seismometer can be used to monitor tremors inside the Earth’s crust and therefore identify potential earthquakes. However, earthquake predictions are not accurate enough to rely upon. It is more worthwhile to invest money and resources in preparing for earthquakes. Encouraging people to keep an earthquake kit in their homes including first aid items, tinned food and radio Buildings can be constructed to be earthquake proof. The building absorb some of the energy released during an earthquake How can people prepare for an earthquake? Roads and buildings can be constructed to reduce the damage caused by earthquakes e.g. electric shutters to cover windows
Preparing for Earthquakes http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/preparing-for-earthquakes/5723.html Earthquake building design http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/engineering-earthquake-resistant-structures/5725.html Tectonic Management http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/natural_hazards/managing_hazards_video.shtml Earthquake drills http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7729282.stm Earthquake felt in Yorkshire http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7260000/newsid_7267100/7267102.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&nol_storyid=7267102&bbcws=1
Pleanary: Earthquake Dominoes