Imapacts of Earthquakes

The primary impacts of an earthquakes are the imeediate effects od the ground shaking. 

• Buildings and bridges collapse.
• Poeple ate injured or killed by buildings and brudges collapsing.
• Roads, railways, ports and airports are damaged.
• Electricity cables are damaged, cutting off supplies.
• Gas pipes are broken, causing leaks abd cutting off supplies.
• Telephone poles and cables are destroyed.
• Underground water and sewage pipes are broken, causing leaks and cutting off supplies.

The secondary impacts of earthqueakes are the effect that happen later on.

• Earthquakes can trigger landslides and tsunamis - these destroy more buildings and cause more injuries and eath. 
• Leaking gas can be ignited, starting fires.
• People are left homeless.
• People may suffer psychological problems if they knew people who dies or if they lose their home etc.
• There's a shortage of clean water and a lack of proper sanitation - this makes it easier for dieases to spread
• Roads ar eblocked or destroyed so aid and emergency vehicles can't get through.
• Businesses are damaged or destroyed, causing unemployment.

• They've always lived there - moving away would mean leaving friends and family.
• They're employed in the area. If poeple move they would have to find new jobs.
• They're confident of support from ther government after an earthquake, e.g. to help rebuild houses.
• Some people think that severe earthquakes won't happen again in the area, so it's safe to live there.