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Explore earthquake hazards, forecasting methods, and building techniques to mitigate risks. Learn how to prepare and stay safe during earthquakes.
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Earthquakes and SocietyChapter 8 Section 3 Earthquake Hazard
Earthquake Hazard • An earthquake hazard zone is an area on the Earth that is prone to having an earthquake • The west coast of the US is more prone to earthquakes do to the plate boundary it lies on • The Midwest area of the US is not near a plate boundary & is less likely to experience earthquakes
Earthquake Forecasting • Seismologist have a difficult task in successfully predicting earthquakes • By studying active faults seismologists have noticed patterns in earthquakes • The more earthquakes an area that is seismically active has, the less destructive it will be • An area that is seismically active that has few earthquakes will experience more destructive earthquake
Earthquake Forecasting • Gap Hypothesis states that sections of active faults that have relatively few earthquakes are likely to be the sites of strong earthquakes in the future • Seismic gap is the area along a fault that relatively few earthquakes have occurred
Earthquakes & Buildings • Earthquake resistant buildings are built in seismically active areas • Base isolators act like shock absorbers during an earthquake. • Flexible pipes help prevent water and gas lines from breaking • Active tendon system use sensors to a computer that activates devices to shift a large weight to counteract the movement of the building
Earthquakes & Buildings • Cross bracing counteract pressure that pushes & pulls at the sides of a building during an earthquake • Mass dampeners are weight placed on the roof of a building. Computers signal controls to move the mass dampener to counter act the movement of the earthquake.
Are You Prepared for an Earthquake? • Safeguard your house • Heavy things should be placed on lower selves • Make sure that your home is reinforced • Store nonperishable food, bottled water, flashlight, and first aid kit • During the earthquake you should get under a doorway, lie flat under a sturdy table or chair in the center of a room • If outside you should lie face down away from power line, buildings, trees, and stop your car an a open road & remain inside