Geographic Hazards Of Earthquakes Essay, Research Paper

Many geographic and environmental hazards constantly affect and alter the world in which we live. One of the most unpredictable natural disasters to occur is an earthquake. According to Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, an earthquake is “a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin.” However, the physical causes, economic and social effects, and costs go far beyond just that dictionary definition.

A phenomenon known as tectonic forces is generally what causes an earthquake. Tectonic plates, large sections of the earth’s lithosphere, are in gradual, constant motion. As these plates move in opposing directions, areas of subduction, where plates come in contact and slide beneath one another, cause an upward shift in a portion of the earth’s crust. Earthquakes generally occur along these fractures of the lithosphere, or faults.

Using a seismograph and a formula known as the Richter Scale, scientists measure an earthquake’s magnitude. This scale, though it has no specific upper limit, generally ranges from about 1.5, indicating the smallest quake that can be felt, to about 9.0, indicating a severely devastating earthquake. The Richter Scale expresses only an earthquake’s seismic strength, not the damage it causes.

The effects of an earthquake vary greatly and have numerous contributing factors. A magnitude 8.0 quake centered beneath downtown Los Angeles would do much more damage than a quake of equal strength centered beneath a desolate area of Alaska. Population densities, the design and structure of buildings and roads, and a general preparedness greatly determine the amount of damage any earthquake will do. A highly populated or urbanized area is much more susceptible to widespread damage from an earthquake than a sparsely populated area, simply because there is more to damage. Some of the devastating effects of earthquakes can include structural damage to buildings, buckling of roadways and bridges, shattering glass, fires, or tsunamis (tidal waves).

Earthquakes can be very costly to both human life and material things. Cities located along major faults have begun enforcing stricter building codes to help ensure less structural damage when an earthquake occurs. Structural reinforcements of skyscrapers and other buildings assist in preventing widespread monetary loss and loss of life. For those living in areas of major earthquake activity, knowing what to expect and how to react is also crucial in lessening the devastation of a high magnitude earthquake.

It is safe to say that at this point earthquakes cannot be predicted. Only through probability can estimation of an earthquake occur, and that is not guaranteed. The best protection against total destruction is preparation by both the individual and the society in which he lives. In my opinion, though earthquakes themselves cannot be prevented and moving away from high-risk areas is usually not an option for most, widespread damage can be prevented through advancements in building and structural design and preparation for the worst-case scenario in the event that a quake does occur.