Homework #3: Earthquake Case Study

GEY 1135 Spring 2024

Instructions
In this homework you will investigate historical earthquakes, the related hazards, and human impacts. As you
know by now, earthquakes happen many times per day all over the world. The hazard of an earthquake
depends on many factors, including societal and economic factors. This case study will explore three different
historical earthquakes:
1) the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake,
2) the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and
3) the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
You will investigate the geological differences in each earthquake, the different hazards caused by each
earthquake, and the human impact of each earthquake. As a class, we will discuss why all earthquakes are not
created equal, even if they may be of the same magnitude.
Use the internet to find reputable sources to help you answer these questions about each earthquake and fill
out the table below:

● Geology
o What is the geologic setting?
o What tectonic plates were involved?
o What type of plate boundary?
o What type of fault?
o What was the magnitude of this earthquake?
o What was the intensity of this earthquake?
● Earthquake hazards
o What were the major hazards from this earthquake? Describe the cause of them.
o Was there a tsunami associated with this earthquake? If so, what information can you find
about it (Ex: the height)?
● Damage & human impact
o How many people died because of the earthquake? As a result of the tsunami? Because of
other hazards?
o What were some of the environmental impacts from this event?
o Are any of the environmental impacts still an issue today? If so, why do you think?
● Recovery & mitigation
o What technologies or infrastructures have been implemented to prevent a similar disaster from
happening again?
● Your thoughts
o Why do you think this earthquake was so catastrophic and/or why was this earthquake not as
bad as it could have been?
Table
2011 Tōhoku earthquake 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake 2010 Haiti earthquake

Geologic setting Subduction zone Transform plate boundary Complex fault system along plate
boundary

Tectonic plates involved Pacific Plate subducting under Pacific Plate grinding past North Caribbean and North American
Eurasian Plate American Plate Plates

Plate boundary type Convergent boundary Transform boundary Convergent boundary

Fault type Megathrust fault Right-lateral strike-slip fault Strike-slip fault

Earthquake magnitude Magnitude 9.0-9.1 Magnitude 6.9 Magnitude 7.0

Earthquake intensity (Mercalli) High (MSK VIII) High (MSK VIII) High (MSK X)

Earthquake hazards Ground shaking (caused by fault Ground shaking (caused by fault Ground shaking (caused by fault
rupture) rupture) rupture)
Large tsunami (up to 40 meters Liquefaction causing landslides Widespread building collapse
high) due to poor construction
Bridge collapse on highways
Ground liquefaction (soil Limited landslides
Disruption of utilities
behaving like a liquid)

Tsunami – if any, describe The tsunami caused widespread No tsunami associated with this No major tsunami associated
impacts destruction along the coast of earthquake with this earthquake
Japan, inundating entire
communities and causing
significant damage to
infrastructure.

Deaths Death toll: ~19,700 (earthquake Deaths: Death toll: 63 Death toll: ~220,000
& tsunami) (earthquake)

Environmental impacts Long-term environmental Limited environmental impacts, Deforestation due to post-
impacts from radioactive mostly related to infrastructure earthquake wood harvesting for
 contamination of soil and water damage. temporary housing.
due to the Fukushima Daiichi
nuclear power plant disaster.

Recovery & mitigation steps Improved early warning systems Improved seismic codes for Building code enforcement and
bridges and buildings improved construction practices
Seawalls and breakwaters for
tsunami protection Increased focus on earthquake International aid for
preparedness reconstruction
Stricter building codes for
earthquake resistance

Your thoughts about this event The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake The 1989 Loma Prieta The 2010 Haiti earthquake was
was a devastating event due to earthquake, while causing devastating due to a
its high magnitude, the powerful significant disruption, was less combination of factors including
tsunami it generated, and the catastrophic due to its lower poor infrastructure, weak
subsequent nuclear disaster. magnitude and location away building construction, and
Better preparedness and from major population centers. poverty. Earthquake
mitigation efforts could have However, it exposed preparedness programs and
reduced the number of deaths. vulnerabilities in infrastructure stricter building codes could
that highlighted the need for have significantly reduced the
improvements. number of deaths.