Earthquake: Causes, and Effects - Essay Example

Earthquake al Affiliation Earthquake Earthquake refers to a phenomenon that occurs when there is a sudden release of energy from deepwithin the earth crust. The release of the energy results in the development of certain strong waves. These waves are known as seismic waves (Sinvhal, 2010). In relation to the term “seismic waves”, several other terms can also be derived that have strong relations to the phenomenon of earthquake. These include the terms like seismicity, seismism or seismic activity. It is of critical significance to understand that seismicity or seismicism as used in the issues related to earthquake refers to the nature of the earthquake. This may involve the frequency with which earthquakes are experienced in certain regions. In addition, seismicity may refer to the type of earthquake as well as the size of the earthquake experienced in certain regions. Earthquakes are characterized by the shaking of the earth surface, leading to deaths, destruction of properties as well as changes in the physical features of the landscape. Earthquakes can manifest in several fault types. These include the reverse fault, the normal fault as well as the strike-slip faults (Sinvhal, 2010). Each type of fault is associated with a range of earthquake magnitude. Earthquakes majorly occur in volcanic regions. In such regions, tectonic faults as well as magma movements mostly cause them. It is of crucial significance to note that earthquakes are measured through the use of seismometers. These instruments are quite beneficial in measuring the intensity of the earthquake whenever they occur in any region. In addition, the seismometers are also beneficial in measuring other aspects of earthquakes relating to the magnitude of such an earthquake (Sinvhal, 2010). The earthquakes of very low magnitudes are measured using special instruments specifically adapted for such earthquakes of lower magnitudes. One of these instruments for measuring low magnitude earthquakes is called Ritcher scale, which is a part of the seismometer. Causes of Earthquakes It is of crucial significance to note that earthquakes occur when the rocks underground break and move under intense pressure and stress. The vibrations associated with the earthquakes makes the rocks underground to break. This leads to release of lots of energy from beneath the ground. This energy is very strong and is capable of causing massive destructions to the landscape itself, infrastructure, structures as well as property (Brumbaugh, 2010). Moreover, the energy released from the underground following the incidences of earthquake can sometimes result to massive loss of lives. In most instances, the energy from the underground following the incidences of earthquakes always result to eruption of fires that lead to unquantifiable damages. In relation to the above statements, it is of crucial significance to note that earthquakes result from such instances prompted by movement of rocks underground. It is important to note that all the activities of earthquakes always take place in the fault plane. A fault plane refers to the underground surface characterized by the breakage as well as movements of rocks following development of stress and pressure from within the earth crust (Brumbaugh, 2010). The movements in such surfaces are always prompted by the compression forces that take place within the earth crust. The compression forces generated during the process causes movements along the fault lines. This makes it possible for energies of greater magnitudes to be released from beneath the ground (Brumbaugh, 2010). Such magnitudes are measured through their amplitude as well as the seismic waves associated with them. In this regard, it is of crucial significance to note that different incidences of earthquakes are always associated with different magnitudes. A higher magnitude recorded depicts a strong earthquake. On the same note, a lower magnitude depicts a relatively weak or mild earthquake. Effects of earthquakes It is of crucial significance to note that the energy released during the incidences or occurrences of earthquakes can have several effects. These may range from destruction of properties, deaths, shaking of ground as well as fires. Moreover, earthquakes may also result to deformation of the landscape structure through creation of faults and ground rupture (Brumbaugh, 2010). It is significant to discus some of these effects in a broader perspective. Earthquakes cause destruction of artificial structures. Earthquakes result to destruction of structures made by human beings. Some of these may include the infrastructure, buildings as well as bridges. Moreover, earthquakes can lead to breakage and destruction of dams and other water ways (Brumbaugh, 2010). This is very detrimental to the lives of human beings. The destruction caused by earthquakes to such structures raises the expenses needed to reestablish them. As such, it is important to note that the resultant impacts of earthquakes are costly. It is important to note that during earthquakes, man-made structures that are brittle are always more susceptible to destruction than flexible structures. Earthquakes cause faulting as well as ground ruptures It is of crucial significance to note that earthquake activities always take place along fault zones. These zones are always susceptible to the effects of earthquakes in many ways. Whenever an earthquake occurs, such fault zones always result to ground ruptures. As a result of this, the structures as well as buildings constructed across the regions of fault zones always collapse following earthquake incidences (Rafferty, 2010). Earthquakes cause landslides It is important to note that earthquakes may sometimes result to ground subsidence. This may be associated with landslides as well as rock slides. These earth movements occur as a result of the shaking of the ground following incidences of earthquakes. These may always be fatal since they can always result to loss of lives. In several instances, these forms of earth movements always result to destruction of infrastructure, properties and buildings. A good example was experienced in Alaska residential areas when the effects of earthquake resulted to destruction of the Turnagain Heights following the massive landslides that affected the region (Weil, 2013). Earthquakes cause fires Several incidences of earthquakes are always associated with eruption of fires. The eruption of fires is always a side effect that occurs when the earthquake breaks gas lines, water lines as well as other power lines. This always leads to massive loss of properties, destruction of infrastructures as well as loss of lives (Rafferty, 2010). Earthquakes result to flooding in several incidences It is of crucial significance to note that in several incidences, earthquakes always lead to flooding of the regions where they occur. The incidences of flooding always result from a variety of sources associated with the effects of the earthquakes. In several instances, earthquakes always lead to destruction of water channels, water pipes as well s dams. This is always likely to result to flooding on the areas experiencing such effects of the earthquake (Weil, 2013). Cases involving floods as a result of earthquakes always cause destruction of properties like buildings. In addition, flooding may at times result to drowning of people thereby leading to loss of lives. Earthquakes may also lead to altering the courses of the drainage channels. This may lead to that channel flowing in a different direction for sometimes. In such cases, there is always a high degree of health risk associated with such incidences. Alterations and changes in the drainage channel directions may always present health risks as it may cause deaths through drowning, flooding and sweeping of properties. The sudden change of direction of the water channels is also likely to cause destruction of properties and structure. This leads to massive loss of investments as well as time required to rectify the damages caused. The change in direction of the water course was once experienced in River Mississippi in the late eighteenth century. This led to loss of lives, property destruction as well as destruction of infrastructure (Weil, 2013). Earthquake causes Tsunamis Earthquakes also lead to tsunamis. These are very strong waves that are characterized with intense floods. It is of crucial significance to note that tsunamis are extremely deadly. Tsunamis have led to massive losses of lives following incidences of earthquakes (Rafferty, 2010). The effects of tsunamis have always brought several incidences of property destruction as well as deaths following drowning and sweeping away by fast moving water resulting from the strong tsunami waves. Tsunamis have also lead to destruction of the environment as well as infrastructure. The effects of earthquakes on the environment It is of crucial significance to note that earthquakes always result to several impacts on the environment. Earthquakes result to destruction of the landscape. In several instances, the vibrations and shakings of the earth resulting from earthquakes always lead to destruction of the landscape. This follows that several incidences always cause subsidence of the ground. This makes the environment lose its aesthetic value. The destruction of the environment by the earthquake also leads to loss of biodiversity. This follows that some of the native vegetation as well as other vegetation of international interest may disappear following the effects of earthquakes. These may include the endangered species of vegetation as well as the threatened and endangered species of animals. The environmental degradation caused by the effects of earthquakes is very critical since it raises the costs of environmental management and conservation. References Brumbaugh, D. S. (2010). Earthquakes: Science and society. New York: Prentice Hall. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/ Rafferty, J. P. (2010). Plate tectonics, volcanoes, and earthquakes. New York, NY: Britannica Educational Pub. in association with Rosen Educational Services. Sinvhal, A. (2010). Understanding earthquake disasters. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill Education. Weil, A. (2013). Earthquakes. Costa Mesa, Calif.: Saddleback Educational Pub. Read More