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Earthquake Damages

The amount of damage an earthquake can cause ranges from nothing to devastating. It really depends on the size of the earthquake and where it is located. The bigger an earthquake is the more damage it will cause. What we consider damage is generally that inflicted on humans and their structures. If a large earthquake occurs in a remote area we generally don’t think of it being very destructive, but if a medium earthquake strikes in a highly populated area than the damage will be much higher.

The damage caused by an earthquake is at its greatest in the area surrounding the epicenter, where the vibrations are the strongest. The type of ground in this area can also affect the amount of damage. Ground that is made up of solid bedrock tends to be less affected by earthquakes, where ground that is made up of loose rock and sediments has longer and bigger vibrations. This means that damage to human structures is affected by the type of ground they are built on.

The more we understand about earthquakes means the better we are at preparing for them. Taking into account how much seismic activity occurs in the area lets us build structures that are better able to handle the movement of an earthquake. Buildings with a flexible structure will move with the earthquake and end up taking a lot less damage than buildings that are rigid and cannot move. Most damage during an earthquake is caused by falling debris and objects, which means that as our buildings become more earthquake safe, the less damage and loss of life there will be.

Earthquakes can also cause damage through their side effects. The most famous of these is the tsunami. These are waves that build up when an earthquake occurs under the ocean. By the time they reach land they can be very large and very devastating. Other earthquake side effects include mudslides, fires, and flooding. Fires are often caused when pipelines in cities are broken during the earthquake releasing gas. Flooding can be caused by broken pipes and even destroyed dams. These after effects of an earthquake are often more devastating than the earthquake itself.