5b Managing Eathquake Hazards

Question 1

Modify earthquake hazard

Answer 1

Tsunami walls
Webbing to prevent rockfall
Minimal impact

Question 2

Aseismic building design

Answer 2

Computer controlled weights on roof to prevent movement
Rubber shock absorber in foundation to prevent tremors damaging building
Birdcage interlocking steel frame
Dampeners to counteract swing
Japan earthquake resistant construction standards revised in 1981

Question 3

Prediction and warning: Japan

Answer 3

UrEDAS system
Halted 5 Shin Kansen trains at 270kmph in 2011
GPS on phone to detect ground movement provides up to 60s warning but depends on distance from epicentre
Japan tried to measure tremors but missed Kobe 1995

Question 4

Community preparedness: Japan

Answer 4

Japan Earthquake drills on September 1st
Disaster prevention day

Question 5

Modifying the event

Answer 5

Very difficult
Can lubricate the fault to cause several small earthquakes instead of one large one
China- animal behaviour partly responsible for evacuation which saved 100 000 people in the city Haicheng 7.3 earthquake

Question 6

Risk equation

Answer 6

Risk= (hazard x vulnerability) ÷ capacity to cope

Question 7

Modify vulnerability: Nepal

Answer 7

Disaster preparedness Network (1986)
Nepalese NGOs. Co ordination, improve technology and warning systems
Mapping high risk ‘shake zones’
Building codes introduced
Household go bags for earthquakes
Education programmes
Annual earthquake awareness Day

Question 8

Modify losses (short term): Nepal

Answer 8

330 humanitarian agencies in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake
UK provided 3 Chinook helicopters and 100 search and rescue responded, medics and rescue experts
Asian development Bank gave $3 million for immediate relief for Nepal

Question 9

Modify losses (long term): Nepal

Answer 9

ADB gave $200 million for rebuild
7000 schools rebuilt
Stricter building codes introduced
Landslide cleared and roads reopened to allow movement of aid and economy

Question 10

Modify losses (short term): Japan

Answer 10

2nd largest economy- vast resources, well rehearsed recovery and reconstruction plans
100 000 people involved in disaster relief
Shelters in schools and shelters built by army
1500 disaster relief boxes distributed (tents, cooking equipment etc)

Question 11

Modify losses (long term): Japan

Answer 11

Satellite to measure radiation from Fukushima and Tsunami debris in sea

Question 12

Improvements made to mitigation strategies in Japan

Answer 12

Tsunami wall from 12-18m
Improved seismic drills
Tsunami modelling
Added population as a layer in GPS maps