How do people prepare for earthquakes?

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Edexcel iGCSE > Hazardous Environments > How do people prepare for earthquakes?

How do people prepare for earthquakes?

Several methods exist to prepare for an earthquake, such as issuing warnings and evacuations, designing buildings to withstand tremors, and utilising remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The primary strategies to address earthquakes include:

Enhanced forecasting and warning systems
Earthquake-resistant building designs
Strategic building locations
Effective emergency procedures

To predict and monitor earthquakes, various techniques are used, including:

Measuring small-scale changes in the ground surface
Detecting ground tilting
Assessing changes in rock stress
Monitoring clusters of minor earthquakes
Tracking changes in radon gas levels
Observing unusual animal behaviour, particularly in toads

Buildings can be engineered to endure the shockwaves of an earthquake. For instance, single-story buildings are generally more stable than multi-story ones due to reduced swaying potential. Some tall buildings incorporate a “soft storey” at the base, like a parking area on raised pillars, which may collapse during an earthquake, allowing the upper floors to settle onto it and absorb the impact. Reinforcement techniques include constructing foundations deep into bedrock and using steel frames that resist shaking.

Land-use planning is crucial in mitigating earthquake risks. High-density areas and essential services like hospitals and fire stations should not be located near known fault lines. Remote sensing tools like RapidEye and GeoEye satellite data can monitor ground movement changes. GIS can provide valuable land use and infrastructure data, identifying particularly vulnerable areas.

Summary

Preparation Methods:
Methods include issuing warnings and evacuations, designing buildings to withstand tremors, and utilising remote sensing and GIS.
Primary Strategies:
Key strategies are enhanced forecasting and warning systems, earthquake-resistant building designs, strategic building locations, and effective emergency procedures.
Prediction Techniques:
Techniques for predicting and monitoring earthquakes include measuring ground surface changes, detecting ground tilting, assessing rock stress, monitoring minor earthquake clusters, tracking radon gas levels, and observing unusual animal behaviour, especially in toads.
Building Engineering:
Buildings can be designed to withstand earthquakes, with single-storey buildings being more stable. Some tall buildings use a “soft storey” at the base to absorb impacts, and reinforcement techniques include deep foundations and steel frames.
Land-use Planning:
Important services and densely populated areas should be situated away from known fault lines to mitigate risks.
Remote Sensing and GIS:
Tools like RapidEye and GeoEye satellites monitor ground movement, and GIS provides critical land use and infrastructure data to identify vulnerable areas.