NSSS2.3

toc =2.3 Earthquake Hazards and Safety=

Vocabulary

 * Liquefaction:** Liquefaction occurs when the earthquakes severe shaking turns loose, soft soil into liquid mud suddenly.
 * Aftershock**:An earthquake that occurs after another stronger earthquake had occurred in the same area.
 * Tsunamis**: Large waves that form when a strong earthquake displaces the water creating large waves that are called tsunamis.
 * Base-isolated building**: A building that is designed to rest on rubber pads or springs and reduce the damage produced by the earthquake.

How Earthquakes cause Damage

 * There are three types of damages which occur during an earthquake
 * Liquefaction
 * Liquefaction causes soil to turn into mud
 * During the 1964 earthquake, a whole housing development was swept into the sea because liquefaction caused a landslide that made the housing development slide down the cliff and into the sea.
 * Aftershock
 * Buildings that are damaged can be destroyed by an aftershock.
 * An aftershock is an earthquake that occurs after another stronger earthquake that occurred in the same area.
 * These aftershocks can strike hours, days, or even months later.
 * Tsunami
 * Sometimes when an earthquake strikes underwater, one of the plate rises above the other and the earthquake can trigger a tsunami.
 * Tsunamis are large waves that form when a strong earthquake displaces the water creating large waves that are called tsunamis.
 * The wave is very large but on open ocean the water only rises half-a-meter.
 * As they near land, they grow as tall as a six story building.

Making Buildings Safer

 * To reduce the damage made by earthquakes, buildings must be made stronger and more flexible as the earthquake produces severe damage.
 * Also, older buildings need to be modified so that they can withstand stronger quakes.
 * To make buildings safer, you need to choose a good choice of location and also good construction methods.
 * Choice of Location
 * The location of a building affects the type of damage it might have to face.
 * Earthquakes that occur on filled land can shake it very violently.
 * The farther away you live from a fault, the less damage there will be.
 * Construction Methods
 * A base isolated building reduces the shock you get from an earthquake
 * A fixed base building is fixed to the ground so the energy released durinq an earthquake can destroy the building
 * The damage from most earthquakes is not caused by the shaking, but the ruptured water and the gas lines are the cause.[[image:12123_and_torreavenue.jpg]]

Protecting Yourself During An Earthquake

 * In an earthquake, the main danger is falling items and broken glass
 * If you are outdoors when an earthquake strikes, quickly move to an open area
 * An earthquake kit for such emergencies should contain:
 * canned food
 * water
 * first aid supplies
 * flash lights
 * batteries
 * radio
 * clothes