What is an Earthquake?
The word ‘Earthquake’ is a noun, the definition of the word stands as:
The word ‘Earthquake’ is a noun, the definition of the word stands as:
Cause/ How do they work?
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
Types of Earthquakes?
Convergent Faults
Divergent Faults
Transform Faults
Where they strike?
(Social Impact of an Earthquake)
The 2010 Haiti earthquake struck on January 12, 2010 at 16:53 local time with a magnitude of 7.0 and had an epicentre near the town of Leogane, which is almost 25 km (16 miles) west of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
According to estimates, some 3 million people were affected by the disaster, with a death toll of around 316,000 people and 300,000 injured and 1,000,000 approximately became homeless. Around 30,000 commercial buildings are said to have been destroyed completely.
The effects of an earthquake are strongest in a broad zone surrounding the epicentre. Surface ground cracking associated with faults that reach the surface often occurs, with horizontal and vertical displacements of several yards common.
The worst damage occurs in densely populated urban areas where structures are not built to withstand intense shaking. There, L waves can produce destructive vibrations in buildings and break water and gas lines, starting uncontrollable fires.
Damage and loss of life sustained during an earthquake result from falling structures and flying glass and objects. Flexible structures built on bedrock are generally more resistant to earthquake damage than rigid structures built on loose soil. In certain areas, an earthquake can trigger mud slides, which slip down mountain slopes and can bury habitations below.
The 2010 Haiti earthquake struck on January 12, 2010 at 16:53 local time with a magnitude of 7.0 and had an epicentre near the town of Leogane, which is almost 25 km (16 miles) west of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
According to estimates, some 3 million people were affected by the disaster, with a death toll of around 316,000 people and 300,000 injured and 1,000,000 approximately became homeless. Around 30,000 commercial buildings are said to have been destroyed completely.
The effects of an earthquake are strongest in a broad zone surrounding the epicentre. Surface ground cracking associated with faults that reach the surface often occurs, with horizontal and vertical displacements of several yards common.
The worst damage occurs in densely populated urban areas where structures are not built to withstand intense shaking. There, L waves can produce destructive vibrations in buildings and break water and gas lines, starting uncontrollable fires.
Damage and loss of life sustained during an earthquake result from falling structures and flying glass and objects. Flexible structures built on bedrock are generally more resistant to earthquake damage than rigid structures built on loose soil. In certain areas, an earthquake can trigger mud slides, which slip down mountain slopes and can bury habitations below.
(What is a Tsunami?)
Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning ‘Harbour Wave’. It is a water wave or a series of waves generated by an impulsive vertical displacement of the surface of the ocean or other body of water. The term ‘Tidal Wave’ is frequently used in the older literature and in popular accounts, but is now considered incorrect.A long high sea wave caused by an Earthquake, Submarine Landslide, or other disturbance.
A Tsunami is a series of ocean waves that sends surges of water, sometimes reaching heights of over 100 feet (30.5 meters), onto land. These walls of water can cause widespread destruction when they crash ashore.
Japan’s most powerful earthquake since records began has struck the north-east coast, triggering a massive Tsunami. Cars, ships and buildings were swept away by a wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude tremor, which struck about 400km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo.
Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning ‘Harbour Wave’. It is a water wave or a series of waves generated by an impulsive vertical displacement of the surface of the ocean or other body of water. The term ‘Tidal Wave’ is frequently used in the older literature and in popular accounts, but is now considered incorrect.A long high sea wave caused by an Earthquake, Submarine Landslide, or other disturbance.
A Tsunami is a series of ocean waves that sends surges of water, sometimes reaching heights of over 100 feet (30.5 meters), onto land. These walls of water can cause widespread destruction when they crash ashore.
Japan’s most powerful earthquake since records began has struck the north-east coast, triggering a massive Tsunami. Cars, ships and buildings were swept away by a wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude tremor, which struck about 400km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo.
Causes of Tsunamis?
Convergent Faults
(Divergent Faults)
(Submarine Landslide)
(Submarine Volcanic Eruptions)
(How Do Tsunamis Work?)
Most Tsunamis, about 80 percent, happen within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” a geologically active area where tectonic shifts make volcanoes and earthquakes common.
Tsunamis race across the sea at up to 500 miles (805 kilometers) an hour, about as fast as a jet aeroplane. At that pace they can cross the entire expanse of the Pacific Ocean in less than a day. And their long wavelengths mean they lose very little energy along the way.
A Tsunami is usually composed of a series of waves, called a wave train, so its destructive force may be compounded as successive waves reach shore. People experiencing a Tsunami should remember that the danger may not have passed with the first wave and should await official word that it is safe to return to vulnerable locations.
Most Tsunamis, about 80 percent, happen within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” a geologically active area where tectonic shifts make volcanoes and earthquakes common.
Tsunamis race across the sea at up to 500 miles (805 kilometers) an hour, about as fast as a jet aeroplane. At that pace they can cross the entire expanse of the Pacific Ocean in less than a day. And their long wavelengths mean they lose very little energy along the way.
A Tsunami is usually composed of a series of waves, called a wave train, so its destructive force may be compounded as successive waves reach shore. People experiencing a Tsunami should remember that the danger may not have passed with the first wave and should await official word that it is safe to return to vulnerable locations.
(Social Impact of a Tsunami.)
The 26 December 2004 tsunami is one of the most severe disasters of the last several decades. According to the U.S. Geological Survey a total of 227,898 people died. Measured in lives lost, this is one of the ten worst earthquakes in recorded history, as well as the single worst tsunami in history. Indonesia was the worst affected area, with most death toll estimates at around 170,000. Casualties are estimated, albeit incompletely, from 228,000 to 310,000.2 Meanwhile, international aid pledges for the damaged regions have reached 3 billion USD (about 2.3 billion euros) from across the globe.
The risk of famine and epidemic diseases was extremely high immediately following the tsunami- bodies rotting in the tropical heat contaminated food and water sources.
Body disposal, and the disinfecting of affected areas, was a primary concern in the days following the tsunami. A significant amount of time and effort was spent on this problem. Massive pits and trenches were dug to quickly bury the dead bodies in hopes that the spread of diseases would be minimized. Grave sites and corpses were also sprayed with disinfectant to further combat the spread of disease. However, the total avoidance of disease spread was impossible. Infectious diseases such as yellow fever, diarrhea, cholera, and typhiod fever are just some of the many that threaten survivors of the tsunami.
The 26 December 2004 tsunami is one of the most severe disasters of the last several decades. According to the U.S. Geological Survey a total of 227,898 people died. Measured in lives lost, this is one of the ten worst earthquakes in recorded history, as well as the single worst tsunami in history. Indonesia was the worst affected area, with most death toll estimates at around 170,000. Casualties are estimated, albeit incompletely, from 228,000 to 310,000.2 Meanwhile, international aid pledges for the damaged regions have reached 3 billion USD (about 2.3 billion euros) from across the globe.
The risk of famine and epidemic diseases was extremely high immediately following the tsunami- bodies rotting in the tropical heat contaminated food and water sources.
Body disposal, and the disinfecting of affected areas, was a primary concern in the days following the tsunami. A significant amount of time and effort was spent on this problem. Massive pits and trenches were dug to quickly bury the dead bodies in hopes that the spread of diseases would be minimized. Grave sites and corpses were also sprayed with disinfectant to further combat the spread of disease. However, the total avoidance of disease spread was impossible. Infectious diseases such as yellow fever, diarrhea, cholera, and typhiod fever are just some of the many that threaten survivors of the tsunami.
