Depending on where the earthquake occurs, how strong the earthquake is, and even the time of day it occurs can play an enormous role in how devastating the effects of the earthquake can be. Collapsing structures cause most deaths that are associated with earthquakes. Even smaller earthquakes can cause quite a bit of damage if the infrastructure of a building is poor or was not built to withstand shaking. By placing instruments inside buildings and in the ground in earthquake prone areas, scientists and engineers are able to determine how structures respond to ground shaking. This has enabled them to put new safety measures into place for both existing structures and new construction (USGS, n.d.).
New building codes are being enforced and engineers are developing designs that minimize damage caused by earthquakes in areas that have been targeted as high risk. In order to reduce the amount of damage caused by an earthquake and design buildings that can absorb shock and movement, engineers install base isolators in new construction. One type of base isolator works like a giant hockey puck. The base isolator is large and flexible to enable it to absorb the energy produced from ground-shaking. Another type of base isolator uses two sets of horizontal plates. The building sits on the top plates and the bottom plates rest on the ground. When an earthquake strikes, only the bottom plates move (Exploratorium, n.d.).
An example of this can be seen in new construction in the state of Alaska. Alaska has more earthquakes than any other region in the United States. This area of the country has seen a large amount of growth in the last fifty years. The population has actually doubled (State of Alaska, n.d.). Although building in high-risk areas is discouraged, scientists cannot predict when or where earthquakes will occur, but they can make logical predictions based on collected data.
By following three principles and strategies of seismic design and construction, buildings and houses are being built stronger and more resilient than ever to withstand earthquakes. Those three principles and strategies are: analyze site conditions, establish seismic design objectives, and select and design appropriate structural systems (Lorant, 2012). By adhering to the principles and strategies, more lives are being saved and buildings are able to withstand seismic movement.
For existing structures, precautions are being made to strengthen the impact of an earthquake. By retrofitting, engineers are able to extend the use of older columns, bridges, and other structures that may otherwise be costly to re-build. Retrofitting enables engineers to strengthen bridges with thick steel, embed steel rods in concrete, add steel girders to bridge footings, and use thick cables to secure large sections of bridges (Exploratorium, n.d.). These added measures provide additional supports in high-risk areas.
Flooding can be secondary to earthquakes if the shaking or ground movement affects water sources such as dams, reservoirs, or levees. If these break, they can cause significant flooding to the surrounding area. Flooding is also caused by devastating tsunami's. Tsunami's are caused by earthquakes under the ocean. They can create walls of water that can be well over ten feet high (USGS, n.d.).
Fires are another hazard associated with earthquakes. Most start due to broken gas lines and downed power lines. This problem is then multiplied when water lines are broken during an earthquake and fires cannot be extinguished (USGS, n.d.).
New building codes are being enforced and engineers are developing designs that minimize damage caused by earthquakes in areas that have been targeted as high risk. In order to reduce the amount of damage caused by an earthquake and design buildings that can absorb shock and movement, engineers install base isolators in new construction. One type of base isolator works like a giant hockey puck. The base isolator is large and flexible to enable it to absorb the energy produced from ground-shaking. Another type of base isolator uses two sets of horizontal plates. The building sits on the top plates and the bottom plates rest on the ground. When an earthquake strikes, only the bottom plates move (Exploratorium, n.d.).
An example of this can be seen in new construction in the state of Alaska. Alaska has more earthquakes than any other region in the United States. This area of the country has seen a large amount of growth in the last fifty years. The population has actually doubled (State of Alaska, n.d.). Although building in high-risk areas is discouraged, scientists cannot predict when or where earthquakes will occur, but they can make logical predictions based on collected data.
By following three principles and strategies of seismic design and construction, buildings and houses are being built stronger and more resilient than ever to withstand earthquakes. Those three principles and strategies are: analyze site conditions, establish seismic design objectives, and select and design appropriate structural systems (Lorant, 2012). By adhering to the principles and strategies, more lives are being saved and buildings are able to withstand seismic movement.
For existing structures, precautions are being made to strengthen the impact of an earthquake. By retrofitting, engineers are able to extend the use of older columns, bridges, and other structures that may otherwise be costly to re-build. Retrofitting enables engineers to strengthen bridges with thick steel, embed steel rods in concrete, add steel girders to bridge footings, and use thick cables to secure large sections of bridges (Exploratorium, n.d.). These added measures provide additional supports in high-risk areas.
Flooding can be secondary to earthquakes if the shaking or ground movement affects water sources such as dams, reservoirs, or levees. If these break, they can cause significant flooding to the surrounding area. Flooding is also caused by devastating tsunami's. Tsunami's are caused by earthquakes under the ocean. They can create walls of water that can be well over ten feet high (USGS, n.d.).
Fires are another hazard associated with earthquakes. Most start due to broken gas lines and downed power lines. This problem is then multiplied when water lines are broken during an earthquake and fires cannot be extinguished (USGS, n.d.).