What’s the story?

How can we reduce the effects of an earthquake?

Good idea?

• https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_mcdaniel_cheap_effective_shelter_for_disaster_relief

Deadliest Earthquakes recorded

Can you modify the event?

Earthquakes can be very dangerous…

• The majority of deaths and injuries from earthquakes are caused by the damage or collapse of buildings and other structures. So, we need to…

Predict Plan Protect

• Predict –when we know in advance that an earthquake is likely to happen. E.g using a seismometer, earth movements can be recorded.

• Plan – Decisions about what needs to be done and what would happen during an earthquake, e.g. Having adequate building structures.

• Protect – taking action on the plans, i.e. actually doing something to protect yourself, e.g. Preparing a survival kit

Task

• Complete the worksheet “How can the damage caused by earthquakes be reduced?”

• Tick each column and decide whether you think the statement is about predicting an earthquake, planning for an earthquake, or protecting yourself against the earthquake.

Modify vulnerability

Statement Predicting Planning Protecting(Take action)

Architects and planners must follow strict rules for safe buildings (enforce regulations to make buildings earthquake proof in danger zones)

p

Some people have an emergency ‘survival’ kit in case an earthquake happens.

P

When a quake is getting nearer, cracks develop in the rocks. They cause the rock to bulge – this can be checked in advance using a TILTMETER.

P

In Japan, the 1st September every year is ‘disaster prevention day’. Emergency drills organized by local governments are held throughout the country. Some of these drills consist of ducking under desks to escape falling objects and evacuating from buildings.

P

Plate movement can be checked by using laser system. Laser beams are bounced off reflectors placed along plate boundaries. The lasers can detect a movement of just 1mm.

p

When an earthquake is getting closer, tiny cracks develop in the rock. The cracks fill with groundwater so the water level will fall in nearby wells. Radon gas escapes from the rocks through the cracks and bubbles up in wells

P

There will also be small foreshocks before the main earthquake which can be measured using a seismometer

p

Emergency procedures are well planned and thought out so that people know exactly what to do in the event of an earthquake.

p

Advise people to plan for an earthquake (e.g. tell them to turn off the gas, find a ‘safe’ place in their homes, pack an emergency kit)

p

Animals can act strangely before the earthquake p

Predict, plan or protect

• Predict – seismologists will do this job

• Plan – you will plan an earthquake resistant structure

• Protect – you will have an earthquake survival kit and know what to do during an earthquake

How do we protect against earthquakes?

What is this picture all about?

DUCK, COVER, AND HOLD!

PROTECTYou live in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. You have a small sturdy shed in your garden, well away from the house, which houses your garden tools. On the advice of local fire officers you are going to put together an earthquake emergency kit and store it in this shed so it would be accessible in the event of an earthquake. Which 6 things from the list below does your group think would be most useful to put in the emergency kit? Discuss each item carefully and have a clear reason ready to justify your choice.

To also consider: How and why would your choices be different if you lived in a LEDC?

Plan (and protect)

You will plan an earthquake

resistant structure

Read the information about earthquake proof buildings

This is San Francisco in the USA. Why does this skyscraper have a wide base?

deep foundations

strong lintels

overlapping bricks

What other measures would make buildings less likely to collapse in an earthquake?

Building regulations in earthquake zones

Which shape of building would be most ‘earthquake proof’?

You are going to design a building to withstand earthquakes

Look at the following images to help with ideas...

Design an earthquake proof building

·How would you design a home for a family in a poorer country where they have less money to spend?

Modify the loss? What can be done in HIC’s?

1. Survival Kits (wsheet)2. Survival Plan (page 66)3. Emergency services

Now try…Exam questions

• Why are LIC’s more vulnerable to a seismic event than HIC’s?

• How would we get 9 marks?