Question

Effects of eartquake in about 300-400 words

Answer 1

Ground shaking

Shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves, especially surface waves near the epicentreof the earthquake are responsible for the most damage during an earthquake. The intensity of ground shaking depends on:

conditions of the local geology influence evenuts: solid bedrock is far less subject to intense shaking than loose sediment;duration and intensity of the earthquake are subject generally to the size of the earthquake;distance: ss the distance from the epicentre drops off so the intensity of the shaking decreases. This depends on the type of material underlying the area. There are however some exceptions. The 1985 Earthquake in Mexico city (magnitude 8.1) had its epicentre 350 Kms away to the south on the coast. Damage to city was extensive as Mexico city is built on a former lake made up of soft unconsolidated sediment (see: Liquefaction further down).Faulting and Ground Rupture

When an earthquake event occurs, ground rupture is only where the fault zone moves. Those constructions built adjacent to the fault will survive while structures built across these zones will collapse.

Landslides and ground subsidence

Avalanches, landslides, slumps and rock slides are triggered by ground shaking. These landslides are often more destructive than the earthquakes. A residential area in Alaska (Turnagain Heights) was destroyed by a shock induced landslide as well as are in downtown Anchorage.

Damage to man-made structures

Damage to man-made structures, such as roads, bridges, dams and buildings from ground motion depends on the type of construction:

Answer 2

The destructive effects of an earthquake can be classified into primary and secondary effects.Primary effects are the immediate damage caused by the quake, such as collapsing buildings, roads and bridges, which may kill many people. Those lucky enough to survive can suffer badly from shock and panic.

The effects of earthquakes The destructive effects of an earthquake can be classified into primary and secondary effects.Primary effects are the immediate damage caused by the quake, such as collapsing buildings, roads and bridges, which may kill many people. Those lucky enough to survive can suffer badly from shock and panic.Japan Earthquake 9.0 Buildings Swaying May 2008 ChinaAnd on the inside of the building!Secondary effects are the after-effects of the earthquake, such as fires, tsunami, landslides and disease.Fire - earthquakes destroy gas pipes and electric cables, causing fires to spread. Broken water mains prevent the Fires being extinguished. Fires spread very quickly in cities, especially in poor-quality housing areas where wooden buildings are common. 
Tsunamis - an earthquake on the sea floor or close to the coast may cause huge waves. 
Landslides - earthquakes often cause landslides, especially in steep river valleys and areas of weak rocks. 
Disease and famine - fresh water supplies are often cut off causing typhoid and cholera. Lack of shelter and food causes much suffering. 
soil liquefaction when soils with a high water content are violently shaken they lose their mechanical strength and behave like a fluid and so buildings can literally sink.Fukushima nuclear power station