Earthquakes and Seismic Activity Key Terms Focus Epicentre Fault San Andreas Fault Tremor P waves S waves

Seismograph Richter Scale Mercalli Scale Aftershock 1. How can humans predict and limit the effects of earthquakes (30 marks)? A lot of research now takes place into earthquake prediction, especially in areas where earthquake risk is high e.g. Japan, USA and China. Strain meters can be used measure the build-up of stresses in the earths crust. Tiltmeters to measure the bulging of the land surface e.g. before the Mt St Helens eruption. Seismographs can be used to measure movements in the ground. Satellite laser beams to identify changes in the earths magnetic field. Changes in animal and bird behaviour may be an indication of an oncoming earthquake. Chinese monitor animal behaviour carefully e.g. the prediction of 1969 earthquake that measured 7.4 on the Richter Scale was predicted by the unusual animal behaviour e.g. screaming pandas/jumping fish in Tianjin Zoo. The city was evacuated and many survived! However, no earthquakes have occurred after other similar episodes! Longer term predictions can be made too e.g. by studying the history of earthquakes along a fault line seismologist can see if there are seismic gaps present that may indicate the location of the next earthquake. The amount of damage caused by an earthquake depends on many factors e.g. population density, time of day and year, type of construction, distance from epicenter, wealth and development of the region.

People try and limit the effects by encouraging strict building regulations and planning laws e.g. not allowed to build in certain areas and building of adequate foundations. Use shock absorbers and flexible materials in construction of buildings and bridges. Have a national emergency plan in place and practice often e.g. an earthquake drills in Japanese and New Zealand schools. Scientist have even suggested pumping lubricants into faults to encourage small earthquakes in order to prevent the huge buildup of pressure that could lead to a big earthquake.

2. Explain how plate tectonics helps us understand the occurrence of earthquakes (30 marks). Commonly take place at plate boundaries where 2 plates meet. Crust is divided up into sections called plates 7 major ones e.g. Eurasian or Pacific Plate. Convection currents in the mantle generated by heat from the core causes these plates move around. 3 types of boundaries convergent where they collide, passive where they move parallel to each other and divergent where they separate. Although you can get earthquakes at all plate boundaries they are more common at passive and convergent plate boundaries. Example of passive boundary is the San Andreas Fault the boundary between Pacific and N. American Plates. Such areas are usually free of volcanic activity but prone to seismic activity. Earthquakes are formed by the sudden release of energy along a fault beneath the earths surface. Friction causes the build up of pressure at the fault zone until the eventual release of energy. It will release seismic waves from the focus. Draw simple diagram of focus/epicentre and explain terminology. San Andreas Fault largest fault system in USA. Runs 1300km northwesterly through California with minor faults branching off. A transform fault between Pacific and N. American plates both move in same direction but different speeds (Pacific - 6cm/year and N. American - 1cm/year). L.A. and San Francisco in California have been greatly affected by this fault line. They are also common at destructive or convergent plate boundaries, especially oceanic crust (SIMA) v continental crust (SIAL) e.g. Nazca and S. American Plate. Heavier oceanic plate subducts can become jammed next to continental crust due to friction build up of pressure until eventually oceanic plate will break free suddenly causing and earthquake. Earthquakes at such boundaries can create shallow-focus earthquakes that are close to surface, intermediate focus earthquakes that occur deeper down, and deep-focus earthquakes that are the deepest type of earthquake. Found along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

3. By referring to a case study that you have studied, describe the causes and effects of an earthquake of your choice (30marks). AND 4. By using appropriate case studies describe how the socio-economic development of a country can influence the effects of earthquakes (30 marks). Los Angeles earthquake 17th Jan 1994 More Economically Developed Country (MEDC). San Andreas Fault largest fault system in USA. Runs 1300km northwesterly through California with minor faults branching off. A transform fault between Pacific and N. American plates both move in same direction but different speeds (Pacific - 6cm/year and N. American - 1cm/year). Earthquakes are formed by the sudden release of energy along a fault beneath the earths surface. Friction causes the build up of pressure at the fault zone until the eventual release of energy. Draw simple diagram of focus/epicentre and explain terminology. 6.7 on Richter Scale and lasted 40 seconds strongest urban setting ground motion in America. Epicentre just north of L.A. Explain epicentre. 60 deaths and 9,000 injured. 25,000 homeless. 25,000 buildings destroyed and another 30,000 damaged including 300 schools. Most deaths and destruction in pre 1980 buildings that were built before the strict building regulations for earthquake proof buildings. Newer earthquake proof buildings had minimal damage. Roads were closed after damage and bridges collapsed. Over 40,000 people had no water supply. 3million people had no electricity. Ruptured gas mains led to several fires.

50 billion in damages one of the most costliest natural disasters in US history. Considering the strength and proximity of earthquake to built up L.A. the effects were limited by excellent resources and emergency measures e.g. Fibre-optic cameras, lifting equipment and sniffer dogs used to locate the injured. Effective emergency services at hand and quick to respond. Earthquake built buildings housed many people and damage was limited. An emergency plan was in place to cope with the aftermath e.g. house the pole that lost the houses, aid etc. .. Another earthquake of similar strength had a far greater impact due to the fact the region was not as socio-economically developed. Kashmir in Pakistan earthquake 8th October 2005 Less Economically Developed Country (LEDC). 7.6 on Richter Scale. 79,000 dead! 3 million homeless! No building regulations for earthquake zones and lack of money to build such earthquake proof buildings. Many buildings made of fragile timber and mud structures that collapsed and buried people. Most people died after the earthquake because of lack of emergency plan and remoteness of region with no adequate infrastructure e.g. roads to get emergency services and supplies in. Very cold region with no shelter for the homeless meant many died of the cold. Lack of resources and technology to cope with aftermath e.g. no clean water, shelter, medical supplies, ambulances (many carried to safer location on a mule). No ways of detecting the buried people. Too dependant on Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) e.g. Goal, Concern for aid so they couldnt cope on their own.