Why do some earthquakes cause more damage and loss of life than others?

Answer 1

Of course the magnitude causes a lot but there is also, Shear Factor. The type of the wave that hits a structure and the way it reacts to it can cause more or less damage. Also, the type of ground on which the buildings are built. For example, Sand is prone to Liquifaction, where it becomes kind of like quicksand.

Loss of life: Consider the structures. In some poor countries where they can't afford to have an engineer design earthquake proof homes, and the roofs are made of cheap and heavy materials, there will be more lives lost. Also, areas that have older homes (such as New York) that aren't earthquake proof (such as brown-stones) there will be a lot of damage and loss of life (especially considering that NY was due for a big one in the 80s).

For more on earthquakes....

Answer 2

Ignoring location and strength of the tremmor itself, most of the damage comes from the breakdown of infrastructure in heavily populated areas. Weak structured buildings weaken or collapse, utility connections get severed, displaced populations have a welfare and psychological impact ... a store front collapses, no problem, a housing structure collapses, now you have people to shelter and feed, (if not rescue.)

The San Francisco earthquake in 1906 was severe in part because water lines broke. Firefighters could answer calls, but really couldn't do much more than watch the fire intensify and spread since the water pressure was reduced to a trickle.

Answer 3

There are several items that affect the damage caused by earthquakes:

1) maglnitude of the quake itself (energy released, fault displacement)

2) depth of the earthquake

3) distance of structure form the earthquake epicenter

4) type of ground on which the structure is built. Solid rock is safest, wet sandy soil is the most dangerous

5) Type of construction of the building. Wood-frame, steel construction and reinforced concrete or brick are safest. Large amounts of glass are dangerous. Unreinforced masonry (brick) or rock walls are the most dangerous.

6) Building fascia, coverings and decorations not secured well can break loose, causing injuries and damage in the street below.

7) Bridges not built to withstand earthquakes can collapse

8) Collateral damage from floods (dams breaking) or fires (broken gas lines) electric power failure.

Answer 4

In earthquakes buildings or structures are prone to damage due to the shaking of ground. Hence they are to be constructed according to the design measures specified the building codes.
Earthquake causes backward & forward motion of the ground, due to whcih buildings are also set in motion.
Initially the lower part of the building on the earth's surface vibrates along with the gound movements, but its upper part remains at rest. Hecer the building stretches & become out of shpae.

If following things are not followed whille construction, then some earthquake can cause more damage.....
1. If the building configuration is not have rectangular plan.
2. If there are not long walls with reinforced concrete columns.
3. If large buildings with shapes like T,L,U and X are not speatated into rectanguar blocks by providing separation sections at approproate places.

Measures to take to reduce the risk...
1. In cold countries, etc. depth should be below the zone of deep freezing and in clayey soil regions it shod be below the level of shrinkage cracks.
2. It should be on firm soil with base of lime or cement and appropriate width.
3. If it is on soft soild it should have plinth band in all walls, all the columns should be connected by plinth beams and it shold have a continuous reinforced concrete foortings.

Answer 5

Well, some are stronger than others, for one thing. Also, some buildings are weaker. In addition, some earthquakes hit under water or in unpopulated areas, so there wouldn't be as much to damage.

Answer 6

Obviously earthquakes have different magnitudes. Also some areas have stronger buildings than other or less dense population...it's just obvious...

Answer 7

some earthquakes are prepared for others are unexpected. some arent so biq others a like a 9

Answer 8

So, what's the problem? Rather than playing around on the computer or whatever you did today, you could have written the entire paper by now. Get off your duff and get to work!!

Answer 9

depends on the magnitude, the area, and how well people (the city/state) are prepared for it.

Answer 10

some people i guess are just lucky and maybe jehovah protects his worshippers.