What are the damages caused by Earthquakes?
There are many damages caused by earthquakes. People say it is the worst thing that can happen to you because, unlike a hurricane or a cyclone, you have no idea when an earthquake is about to occur. Suddenly, the surface of the earth you are standing on is shaking uncontrollably and objects are flying and smashing around the room. But that is the last of your worries, you are just trying to survive. Cars in the parking lots are moving around (up and down, side to side) and buildings are falling apart (because of the seismic waves and plate movement)
One of the main damages caused by earthquakes are:
One of the main damages caused by earthquakes are:
Liquefaction
Liquefaction is the term used when saturated, silty soil has been so severely shaken it turns into a liquid state. During the shaking of an earthquake, the soil particles are rearranged and compacted , turning into mud and forcing water out onto the surface. When liquefaction occurs, the strength in the soil decreases and the ability of a soil deposit to support buildings or bridges are reduced (as you can see in the pictures below) Some of these pictures also show the soil particles before and after the shaking and show how exactly water comes out of the ground during the
Earthquakes can also cause landslides.
With Seismic activities being the main cause of landslides throughout the world, anytime there are plate tectonics involved on a slope, the land covering it will be shaken and thus will slide down. When an earthquake occurs on a slope or close, there is a good chance there will be a landslide. Furthermore, all the debris and soil sliding down hill could trigger a mass movement in soil.
Buildings Can Collapse
During an earthquake, old buildings are most likely to collapse due to the fact that they were built before 'earthquake proof building rules' were in place. That means that during an earthquake, structures like those are more likely to collapse with or without people in them. Chimneys and tiles on roofs often fall during the shaking which can be very dangerous for people walking/running past and also for cars. Building infrastructures are now set in place for areas in New Zealand that have a lot of earthquakes such as Christchurch.