Chapter 2 living with tectonic hazards gateway 3 part 1

2016 Pure Geography SeriesChapter 2 : Living with tectonic hazards

Gateway 3 : Responses to earthquakes

Preparedness Measures

1.Land use regulations2.Infrastructure3.Emergency drills4.Earthquake and tsunami

monitoring and warning systems

Land use regulations• Stipulate the use of certain plots of

land.• Planning to move residential / heavy

industries away from high risk zones.• California – laws against building on

fault lines.• Japan – restrict against building on

lowland areas (tsunami risk)

Would we build cities on faultlines?

Infrastructure

• Buildings that have technology to withstand earthquakes.• Need not be high-tech.–Japanese / Indonesian bamboo homes

that flex• Can be very high-tech–Taipei 101 building with in-built

pendulum to counter the shaking

Low Tech Infrastructure

Taipei 101

Emergency drills

• General population is taught and made to practice emergency drills• Households are taught to prepare

emergency bags• Education and practice to ensure

minimal panic when the event occurs.

Emergency Drills

Emergency Drills

Earthquake monitoring and warning systems

• Seismic activity can be measured with sensors that detect the waves.• Duration between detection and

arrival of earthquakes is small.• Potential window of opportunity for

people to evacuate.

Earthquake monitoring

Tsunami monitoring

Let’s take a look at potential questions

1. With modern technology, it is possible to prepare for an impending earthquake or tsunami. With the aid of examples, explain how this can be done. [4m]

2. Earthquake preparedness can save lives of children in school. Explain how this is done in a earthquake prone country. [4m]

3. Land use regulations can be used to reduce the social and economic impact of an earthquake. Explain how this is so. [4m]

Homework

“Landuse regulation is the most important factor when planning to reduce the impact of an earthquake on mankind.” How far do you agree with this statement? [8m]

Homework

“Landuse regulation is the most important factor when planning to reduce the impact of an earthquake on mankind.” How far do you agree with this statement? [8m]