1 minute read
Earthquake Features
by AudioLearn
EARTHQUAKE FEATURES
The major feature of an earthquake is ground shaking. This comes from seismic waves passing through the earth's crust. The shaking might be mild or extreme and will vary in duration. Buildings can easily be damaged or destroyed. The shaking won't kill you; it will be the infrastructure damage to roads and buildings that will kill you.
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The ground can actually rupture after an earthquake. This is rarer than you'd think but when it happens, you will see fences and railways off by feet or more. Ruptures can destroy pipelines, roads, airport runways, and aqueducts that can add a lot to the damage you'll expect. A fault scarp can happen, which is a cliff or step off large enough to cause a large divot or crack in the earth.
Landslides are also possible with earthquakes. If a slope is unstable or if there is a direct rupture of earth itself, there can be landslides that are deadly to things below their level. Landslides can damage the terrain if the earth blocks creeks and rivers. This problem is obviously worse in areas where there are cliffs and mountainous areas already.
Tsunamis are not tidal waves but are part of earthquake phenomena. The Pacific Ocean basin is home to a great potential for these deadly events. They only occur when the slippage is vertical rather than side-to-side or strike-slip movements. This causes a mass movement of water that can travel huge distances at about 700 kilometers per hour and may reach wave heights of 90 feet or more. The water may recede before it returns in increasing waves that can travel far inland.
Finally, liquefaction can occur. This is the most destructive feature of an earthquake. Sediment in the earth floats upon the underlying groundwater and then recompacts in what's called subsidence. You can get giant sand volcanoes or sand blows reaching up to damage buildings and infrastructure. Buildings can sink into the ground when this happens. Underground tanks will rise through the liquefied earth. Sand blows are not dangerous but look like cracks in the earth with large collections of sand around the vents.
