Tsunami Signs
Potential Earthquake Hazards
Earthquake hazards are the dangers
that is highly likely to occur when an
earthquake strikes.
An earthquake in and of itself does not
pose a threat unlike what earthquake
hazards do.
Earthquake Hazards
1. The Effect of Ground Shaking
The first main earthquake hazard (danger) is
the effect of ground shaking. Buildings can
be damaged by the shaking itself or by the
ground beneath them settling to a different
level than it was before the earthquake
(subsidence).
Earthquake Hazards
1. The Effect of Ground Shaking
Buildings can also be damaged by strong surface
waves making the ground heave and lurch. Any
buildings in the path of these surface waves can
lean or tip over from all the movement. The
ground shaking may also cause landslides,
mudslides, and avalanches on steeper hills or
mountains, all of which can damage buildings
and hurt people.
Earthquake Hazards
2. Tsunami
Tsunamis are long wavelength oceanic
waves generated by the sudden
displacement of seawater by a shallow
earthquake, volcanic eruption or
submarine landslide.
Earthquake Hazards
2. Tsunami
Large earthquakes may generate
tsunami waves in enclosed water
bodies such as lakes. In New Zealand
there are large lakes that could be
affected, for example Lakes Wakatipu
and Wanaka that are near to the Alpine
Fault.
Earthquake Hazards
3. Landslides and Rockfalls
Groundshaking due to earthquakes
destabilizes cliffs and steep slopes,
causing landslides and rockfalls as a
significant side-effect. Heavy rain and
unconsolidated or fractured rock are
exacerbating factors.
Earthquake Hazards
4. Subsidence and Lateral Spreading
Subsidence, or lowering of the ground
surface, often occurs during earthquakes.
This may be due to downward vertical
displacement on one side of a fault, and
can sometimes affect a huge area of land.
Coastal areas can become permanently
flooded as a result.
Earthquake Hazards
4. Subsidence and Lateral Spreading
Lateral spreading occurs where
sloping ground starts to move
downhill, causing cracks to open up,
that are often seen along hill crests
and river banks.
Earthquake Hazards
5. Liquefaction
Liquefaction occurs when
waterlogged sediments are agitated
by seismic shaking. This separates
the grains from each other, reducing
their load bearing capacity.
Earthquake Hazards
5. Liquefaction
Buildings and other structures can
sink down into the ground or tilt
over, whilst underground pipes and
tanks may rise up to the surface.
Tsunami Signs
An earthquake is a natural tsunami warning. If you
feel a strong quake do not stay in a place where you
are exposed to a tsunami. If you hear of an
earthquake be aware of the possibility of a tsunami
and listen to the radio or television for additional
information. Remember that an earthquake can
trigger killer waves thousands of miles across the
ocean many hours after the event generated a
tsunami.
Tsunami Signs
Witnesses have reported that an
approaching tsunami is sometimes preceded
by a noticeable fall or rise in the water level.
If you see the ocean receding unusually
rapidly or far it's a good sign that a big wave
is on its way. Go to high ground
immediately.
Tsunami Signs
A tsunami surge may be small at one
point of the shore and large at another
point a short distance away. Do not
assume that because there is minimal
sign of a tsunami in one place it will be
like that everywhere else.
Tsunami Signs
Tsunamis can travel up rivers and
streams that lead to the ocean. Stay
away from rivers and streams that lead
to the ocean as you would stay away
from the beach and ocean if there is a
tsunami.
Tsunami Signs
It's always a good idea to keep a store
of emergency supplies that include
sufficient medications, water, and other
essentials sufficient for at least 72
hours. Tsunami, earthquake,
hurricane—an emergency can develop
with little or no warning.
