Managing the Impacts of Earthquakes GCSE Geography

Managing the Impacts of Earthquakes

People attempt to manage the impact of earthquakes in a multitude of different way. These methods vary from actions taken before the actual earthquake and the responses to the earthquake after it has struck.

There are many precautions people take when preparing for an earthquake. With the present day technology early warning systems for earthquakes do not give much time to react. Unlike hurricanes earthquakes are far more unpredictable and occur in a matter of minutes. However there have been prediction methods which have been developed. Laser beams can be used to detect plate movement. Seismometers can also be used to detect vibrations from the Earth’s crust. When there is an increase in vibrations then there is a higher possibility of an earthquake. Many of the prediction techniques used are not fully reliable. There are many places where the data from these laser beams and seismometers are monitored; one such location is the IRIS Data Management Center in Seattle. 

As people cannot rely on early warning systems they need to have the necessary preparations in place. The best example of a country with thorough preparations is Japan. There are many earthquake drills to train people so that they would know what to do when an earthquake strikes. The public can also be educated via the TV or radio. Individuals may also put together emergency kits and store them in their homes. These kits could include first-aid, blankets and tinned food. Many companies in Japan observe Disaster Prevention Day, 1st September, this marks the anniversary of Kwanto Plain earthquake in 1923. 

Buildings can also be designed to be aseismic (earthquake resistant). There are 3 main ways of doing this:

• By adding a counterweight. A large concrete weight on the top of the building it controlled by a computer program in a way that it will move in the opposite direction to the earthquake.

• Shock Absorbers. One can place large rubber shock absorbers in the foundations; will allow the building to move slightly.

• Cross-bracing. By adding this to the structure it will hold together better when shook.

• Retrofitting. Older buildings and structures can be retrofitted with these devices

Earthquake proofing is vital, as it has been proved. A comparison between the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (7.1 Richter) and the 1988 event in Armenia (6.9 Richter). the earthquake proofed buildings in California caused only 63 deaths whilst the non-earthquake proofed in Armenia caused 25 000 deaths. The Loma Prieta earthquake also caused the Golden Gate bridge to be retrofitted.

There have also been means developed to prevent fires from gas pipes. The smart meters which have been installed cut off the gas if a powerful enough earthquake occurs. In Tokyo the main gas company has a network that transmits seismic data to a computer which then tells employees when to cut off the major pipelines. 

Land-use planning is also very important method. If you are able to identify the area which is the most risky and then you can regulate what buildings are built there. There are certain buildings which are not allowed to be built in these high risk areas, these buildings include schools and hospitals. Open spaces are also important as they form a safe area away from fires and building damage caused by aftershocks. However and use planning gets more difficult when it comes to cities in develop plan the use of land.ing countries, this is because there is a high rural urban migration and the country may also lack the resources to improve the situation.

The public is also encouraged to get insurance in order to cover the losses, however this very expensive. As an earthquake is unlikely to affect your property many people just do not bother. An example of this is when the Kobe earthquake struck only 7% of the people were covered by earthquake insurance.

The Emergency Services must also be fully prepared for the likelihood of a earthquake striking. They need to have heavy lifting gear available for them and there needs to be an excess of people who are first-aid trained, as it may take some time for the real medical personnel arrive. In California the emergency services have computer programs to decide which areas the emergency services should go to first.

No matter how many precautions you take a hazard is an unpreventable event. This makes it important that the right actions are taken after the hazard occurs. This makes Aid an important factor. For LEDCs aid does not only come in the form of money. Countries can also provide medical services, tents, water purification equipment and search and rescue equipment. But these only solve the short-term problems; aid for the long term is more problematic.  Plans need to be put in place for the rebuilding and reconstruction of the area and economy.