Earthquakes

Causes of Earthquakes

• Pressure builds up at plate boundaries.
• Movement is prevented by friction between plates.
• Suddenly the crust breaks along a fault.
• Stored energy is released in a few seconds and travels out as seismic waves.

CASE STUDY: PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE - LEDC

Counrty: Pakistan

Date: 8 October 2005

Epicentre: Muzaffarabad

Strength: Richter Scale 7.6

Cause: Pakistan is on a collision boundary netween the Indo-Australian and the Eurasian plates.

Effects: 73,000 deaths, 3,000,000 homeless and £3 billion damage estimated cost.

CASE STUDY: KOBE EARTHQUAKE - MEDC

Country: Japan

Date: 17 January 1995

Epicentre: Awaji Island, Akashi Straights

Strength: Richter Scale 7.2

Cause: Japan is on a destructive boundary between the Philippine Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

Effects: 5,000 deaths, 300,000 homeless and a £80 billion damage estimated cost.

Effects of Earthquakes

Primary effects are hazards caused immediatly the earthquakes strikes;

• Buoldings collapse, killing and trapping people inside.
• Bridges and elevated roads collapse, crushing…