Write an essay on Earthquakes.

Earthquakes are the unpredictable and random, immensely destructive of all the natural disasters. These are of tectonic origin and have proved to be the most devastating and their area of influence is also quite large.

India can be divided into the following five earthquake zones :

(i) Very high damage risk zone
(ii) High damage risk zone
(iii) Moderate damage risk zone
(iv) Low damage risk zone
(v) Very low damage risk zone.

Effects of Earthquakes : Earthquakes have all encompassing disastrous effects on the area of their occurrence. Some of the important ones are :

Effects of Earthquakes

On Ground

On man-ade structures

On Water

Fissures
Settlements
Landslides
Liquefaction
Earth Pressure
Possible chain effects

Cracking
Slidings
Over turning
Buckling
Collapse
Possible chain effects

Waves
Hydro-dynamic pressure
Tsunami

 

Possible chain effects

Apart from these, the earthquakes also have some serious and far reaching environmental consequences. Surface waves produce fissures on the earth's surface. Earthquakes are responsible for landslides and often these cause obstructions in the flow of rivers and channels resulting in the formation of reservoirs.

Earthquake Hazard Mitigation : It is not possible to prevent the occurrence of earthquakes. The next best option is to emphasize on disaster preparedness and management rather than curative measures such as :

(i) Establishing earthquake monitoring centres (seismological centres) for regular monitoring and fast dissemination of information among the people in the vulnerable areas. Use of Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) can be of greater help in monitoring the movement of tectonic plates.

(ii) Preparing a vulnerability map of the country and dissemination of vulnerability risk information among the people and educating them about the ways and means to minimise the adverse impacts of the disasters.

(iii) Modifying the house types and buildings-designs in the vulnerable areas and discouraging construction of multi-storey buildings, large industrial establishments and big urban centres in such areas.

(iv) Finally, making it mandatory to adopt earthquake-resistant design and use light material in major construction activities in the vulnerable areas.

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To which theory are the earthquakes related ?

Plate tectonics.
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Name four common natural hazards.

The common natural hazards are:

i. Volcanic eruptions

ii. earthquakes

iii. tsunamis

iv. droughts, floods, cyclones, soil erosion, mudflows etc.
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Write two examples of Human disaster.  

i. Bhopal Gas tragedy 

ii. Chernobyl nuclear disaster

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What are natural hazards ?


Natural Hazards are elements of circumstances in the Natural environment that have the potential to cause harm to people or property or both.
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