CASE STUDY

XAR703-DIASASTER
MANAGEMENT
BY;
ANNIE EBLIN.N
B ARCH 4TH YEAR A SECTION
EARTHQUAKES
INTRODUCTION
• Earthquake, any sudden shaking of the ground caused by the
passage of seismic waves through Earth’s rocks.
• Seismic waves are produced when some form of energy
stored in Earth’s crust is suddenly released, usually when
masses of rock straining against one another suddenly
fracture and “slip.”
• Earthquakes occur most often along geologic faults, narrow
zones where rock masses move in relation to one another.
• The major fault lines of the world are located at the fringes
of the huge tectonic plates that make up Earth’s crust
 CAUSES
• The Earth’s crust itself is made up of a number of floating rock
plates, known as tectonic plates, which are essentially free
moving in a sea of molten rock.
• Because they are free and not fixed, these plates do shift, or
bump into each other over time. The movements of these plates
are so slow, that they normally cannot be felt by humans, but
rather move incrementally over many years, decades over
centuries.
• The plates have theoretically been in motion since the birth of
the earth, and have shifted very gradually over time. Despite
their slow movement, these shifts in the plates do sometimes
cause major geological events which can be felt on the surface
of the Earth.
• Great amounts of energy can become trapped within the Earth,
and as plates shift or collide, this energy can be released. This
energy, known as seismic energy, is what causes the waves of
energy to move through the earth, or along the earth’s surface,
resulting in a tremor or earthquake.
SEISMIC ACTIVITY
• Seismic activity, that is the energy that is released from the earth’s
core in bursts of energy waves, can be classified into four types.
Seismic waves are vibrations caused by earthquakes, explosions,
or extreme bursts of energy.
• These waves either originate inside the Earth, or occur along its
surface. Seismic waves can be classified into one of four different
types, depending on the location of the waves, as well as the
direction and pattern of the wave’s movement.
• The four categories are: Primary, or P waves; Secondary, or S
waves; Love, or Q waves; or Rayleigh waves.

Primary waves, also known as P waves, are the fastest moving waves generated by seismic
activity. Because of this, they are the first type of wave registered on a seismographic, which can
be used to predict and/or record earthquakes and other such activity. P waves are elastic in nature,
meaning they create a compression and expansion within whatever media is transmitting the
PRIMARY
energy. The speed of these waves is approximately 6 km/s through surface rock, and roughly
WAVES
10km/s nearer the core. The speed differs due to the composition of the rock through which it is
passing, as well as changes in pressure which occur deeper within the Earth.
Secondary waves are more commonly referred to as S waves, or transverse waves. These
types of seismic waves move through media in a curved or rolling movement, meaning
the medium will move perpendicular to the wave’s direction and rock particles will
vibrate at a right angle to that of the wave’s energy. This is known as shear stress. SECONDARY
Generally, this means the earth, or medium, will flex up and down in a waving motion, WAVES
causing crests and troughs, as the seismic energy passes through it. Speeds of S waves
range from 3.4km/s on the surface, to 7.2km/s near the core boundary. S waves do not
transmit through liquid, and as such do not occur within the earth’s core, directly.

Love waves are one of two surface-type waves. Love waves occur when varying degrees of
vertical elastic properties experience seismic activity. In this case, the movement of the Earth or
medium through which the wave passes is perpendicular to that of the direction of the energy
wave. The movement spreads from the energy source in two directions. One side of the s wave is
elastic in nature, while the other side borders a vacuum. This means that the earth shifts
LOVE WAVES horizontally, as the ground sinks and rises along bordering areas. Due to the nature of these
waves, as well as their rapid speed (thy have a lower velocity but higher speed than other types of
seismic waves) Love waves can cause a much higher reading on the seismic scale. For the same
reason, these are generally the most damaging waves, since the earth can shift in both directions
(both up and down) at the same time.
Rayleigh is the second type of surface wave, also caused by seismic activity. Rayleigh
waves cause longitudinal compression as well as transvers vibration meaning they create
an elliptical motion along the surface. Rayleigh waves move more slowly, and undulate,
producing a long duration of seismic activity. Energy is therefore transmitted through the RAYLEIGH WAVES
surface of the Earth in both perpendicular and parallel motions. Because Rayleigh waves
move in multiple directions at the same time, they are very destructive to the medium
through which they pass, ie the surface of the Earth and can have devastating effects.

Measurement Of Earthquakes
A seismogram is used to measure earthquakes. It records a seismogram
that yields data about the earthquake. A seismogram has two main parts - a
base that firmly sets on ground and a heavy, hanging weight. While the
former shakes when the ground trembles during an earthquake, the latter
does not. The string or spring holding the weight absorbs the movement.
The different in position between the moving and stationary parts of the
seismograph is recorded.
FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF EARTH
QUAKES
Though devastating, natural-disaster-size earthquakes are,
thankfully, not all that common, there are roughly 50,000
earthquakes every year which can be felt by human life (this
figure does not include the number of seismic activity deemed too
small to be felt by the average person). An estimated 100 of these
noticeable 50,000 earthquakes cause damage to the earth and its
surroundings, and it is only one or two of these human-detected
earthquakes that is classified as a natural disaster.

Earthquakes have long affected the Earth, and formed a key part in the formation and
alteration of the surface of the Earth. While minor earthquakes, and seismic activity is
occurring constantly, it is only on rare occasions that humans can feel these energy bursts,
and rarer still that they cause any destruction. As technology advances, humans have been
EFFECTS able to mark, track, record and analyze more and more earthquakes with greater accuracy.
This allows for a greater understanding of earthquakes, and also aids in predicting on
forecasting potentially destructive seismic activity, in order to hopefully avoid any
foreshadowed great disasters.
EARTH QUAKE PRONE ZONES IN
INDIA Zone 5: Highly prone to earthquakes.
Punjab, Kashmir, and North-East India.
Zone 4: Parts of Delhi, Jammu, Bihar, and
Indo-Gangetic basin.
Zone 3: Moderate damage risk. Western
Himalayan plains, Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.
Zone 2 and 1: Low damage risk.

An earthquake in a densely populated

area which results in many deaths and
considerable damage may have the
same magnitude as a shock in a remote
area that does nothing more than
frighten the wildlife. Large-magnitude
earthquakes that occur beneath the
oceans may not even be felt by humans.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Before the disaster:
• Connections of gas lines and appliances must be made flexible.
• An earthquake readiness plan must be kept ready, including locating a shelter house, canned
food and up to date first aid kit, gallons of water, dust masks, goggles, firefighting equipment, a
torch, and a working battery-operated radio.
• Architects and structural engineers must be consulted before laying the foundation of buildings
in earthquake-prone areas. Also the building must be manufactured as per the rules and
regulations laid by the disaster management committee.
• Awareness must be spread among friends and family members about the above-mentioned
measures.

Dos and Dont’s:

• One must stay indoors until the shaking stops and it’s officially announced that it is safe to exit.
• One must stay away from bookcases, furniture, and heavy appliances that may fall.
• The shelter must be under a table or bed, and hold on to a post or any other fixture.
• If one is outdoors, the shelter must be taken in a clear stop away from buildings, trees, and
power lines.
After the disaster:

The following are the measures that must be undertaken after the calamity is
over.
• First aid kits must be used to tend to persons with minor injuries such as
bleeding and bruises. Whereas seriously injured individuals must not be moved
until they are out of danger and proper medical help has arrived.
• If the person is not breathing, rescue breathing must be administered. If the
person has no pulse, CPR must be given.
• Tumbling shelves and falling items must be taken care of and damaged walls
made of bricks must be avoided.
• Main gas valves must be checked for leaks. The main power switch must be
turned off if there is a possibility of damage. Broken appliances must be
unplugged until the damage is repaired.
• One must stay away from downed power lines and any object or appliance in
contact with it.
 CASE STUDY
CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE,NEW ZEALAND-2011
CAUSED THE CHRISTCHURCH
EARTHQUAKE
• The earthquake occurred on New Zealand’s South Island, 10km west
of Christchurch, at 12.51 pm on 22nd February 2011 and lasted just
10 seconds. Measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale and, at 4.99 km
deep, the earthquake was very shallow. The earthquake occurred
along a conservative margin between the Pacific Plate and the
Australasian Plate.

Christchurch Earthquake Animated Map is a

fantastic resource for illustrating the swarm of
earthquakes that occurred on February 22nd
2011.
EPICENTRE-43.583°S 172.680°ECoordinates:
43.583°S 172.680°E[1]
Port Hills near Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
EFFECTS OF THE CHRISTCHURCH
EARTHQUAKE
The primary effects included:
• Christchurch, New Zealand’s second city, experienced extensive damage
• 185 people were killed
• 3129 people were injured
• 6800 people received minor injuries
• 100,000 properties were damaged, and the earthquake demolished 10,000
• $28 billion of damage was caused
• water and sewage pipes were damaged
• the cathedral spire collapsed CONCENNTRIC
CIRCLES DENOTING
• liquefaction destroyed many roads and buildings SEISMIC EFFECTS
The secondary effects included:
• 2200 people had to live in temporary housing
• five Rugby World Cup matches were cancelled
• schools were closed for two weeks
• 1/5 of the population migrated from the city
• many businesses were closed for a long time
• two large aftershocks struck Christchurch less than four months
after the city was devastated
• Economists have suggested that it will take 50 to 100 years for
New Zealand’s economy to recover
• 80% of respondents to a post-event survey stated that their lives
Satellite picture showing shaking
had changed significantly since the earthquake
strength
• Road and bridge damage occurred and hampered rescue efforts. Soil liquefaction and
surface flooding also occurred. Road surfaces were forced up by liquefaction, and water
and sand were spewing out of cracks. A number of cars were crushed by falling debris.
In the central city, two buses were crushed by falling buildings. Because the earthquake
hit during the lunch hour, some people on the footpaths were buried by collapsed
buildings.

Results of liquefaction; the fine washed-up sand

solidifies after the water has run off

PGC House, following the

February 2011 quake
115 bodies were recovered
from the CTV Building,
which collapsed during
the quake

Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

was one of many churches
The Anglican ChristChurch Cathedral was severely
damaged by the quake
damaged in the earthquake
 IMMEDIATE RESPONSES TO THE CHRISTCHURCH
EARTHQUAKE
The immediate responses included:
• around $6-7 million of international aid was provided
• The Red Cross and other charities supplied aid workers
• rescue crews from all over the world, including the UK, USA, Taiwan and The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Australia, provided support before the earthquake.
• more than 300 Australian police officers flew into Christchurch three days
after the earthquake. They were sworn in with New Zealand policing
powers and worked alongside New Zealand officers enforcing law and
order and reassuring the people of Christchurch
• 30,000 residents were provided with chemical toilets

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

after the earthquake
 LONG-TERM RESPONSES TO THE
CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE
The long-term responses included:
• the construction of around 10,000 affordable homes
• water and sewage were restored by August 2011
• the New Zealand government provided temporary housing
• Many NGOs provided support, including Save the Children 54 Raekura Place in Redcliffs was
destroyed by rockfall
• Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority was created to organise
rebuilding the region. It had special powers to change planning
laws and regulations.

Satellite image showing icebergs calved from

Tasman Glacier by earthquake
THANK YOU