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Earthquakes are most dangerous near areas where people live. Deaths and injuries are not caused by movement of the ground, but buildings collapsing and fires. . Earthquake damage can be reduced. Earthquake damage can be reduced.
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Earthquakes are most dangerous near areas where people live. Deaths and injuries are not caused by movement of the ground, but buildings collapsing and fires. Earthquake damage can be reduced
Earthquake damage can be reduced • A powerful earthquake (magnitude of 8 or higher) can release more energy than 1 million weak earthquakes. • The first scale of earthquake magnitude was developed by Charles Richter and BenoGutenburg
Earthquake damage can be reduced • The Richter scale measures how fast the ground moves at a seismic station
Earthquake damage can be reduced • Most scientists currently use the moment magnitude scale • Both ricther and moment scale show a top value of 10, but neither has a maximum value. • The moment magnitude scale is more accurate for larger earthquakes
Earthquake damage can be reduced • Movement of blocks of rock along a fault on either side can raise, lower or tilt the ground surface(This can collapse buildings) • Many buildings collapse and in the process gas lines,power lines, and water lines can be damaged
Earthquake damage can be reduced • In the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, 90% of the buildings collapsed
Earthquake damage can be reduced • Earthquakes can also cause landslides to occur • A landslide is movement of rocks and soil down a hill or a mountain
Earthquake damage can be reduced • A tsunami can also occur as a result of an earthquake, volcanic eruption or landslide. • A tsunami is a water wave that can rise more than a 20 story building
Earthquake damage can be reduced • A tsunami can be a single wave or several waves of different heights • In deep water a tsunami can reach speeds of about 430 mph
Earthquake damage can be reduced • In 1946 a earthquake hit Alaska, a tsunami resulted and the highest wave was 55 feet high and it killed 159 people • The Pacific Tsunami Warning center was established in hawaii in 1949
Earthquake damage can be reduced • Scientists havent figured out earthquakes similar to the weather they can only make longterm predictions • Scientists study stress along fault lines
Earthquake damage can be reduced • Signs that give scientists clues are: • Tilts or changes in rock • Slow movement or stretching in rock • The development of small cracks in the ground
Earthquake damage can be reduced • The best way to prevent death and injuries is to build structures meant to withstand some earthquakes • Base isolators are built into buildings, they are flexible an absorb the shock
Earthquake damage can be reduced • Buildings are also built on a moat which will let the building shake more gently • Cross braces are also added to help the structure keep it’s shape while shaken