GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
EARTHQUAKE
Module exam GL3 June 2005
HAZARDS
Geology Department, Greenhead College, Huddersfield.
Bhuj, Gujarat earthquake (USGS)
Seattle earthquake (CNN)
26 January 2001
28 February 2001
LEARNING TARGETS
margin notes
When you have completed this study guide, you will:
 know about the damage earthquakes can cause
 understand primary and secondary earthquake hazards
 be able to suggest ways in which earthquakes can be predicted
 have learned some case studies which show how hazardous earthquakes can be
 have learned how the damage from earthquakes can be reduced
 be able to answer a variety of examination questions on this topic.
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
Module exam GL3 June 2005
Resources
Here is a choice of resources to use. You do not need to look at them all but clearly the more you read
the better your knowledge of case studies will be. Tick the box once you have used the resource.
If you read a photocopied extract then highlight it to help you reread it for revision. If you make notes
from a video tape make sure that the notes are headed with the name of the tape so that you know the
source of your information. Case studies are very useful for essay questions so you should keep a
separate list of the examples that you have researched.
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EH1
EH2
EH3
EH4
EH5
EH6
EH7
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EH8
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EH9
EH10
EH11
EH12
EH13
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EH14
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EH15
EH16
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Websites
www.geolsoc.org.uk/ Go to Teaching Resources
www.gsrg.nmh.ac.uk/turk.htm
www.cnn.com/ Search earthquake
www.vedur.is
Understanding Geology David Webster p 14-15
Geoscience Dee Edwards and Chris King p 36-40
Video Tape Savage Earth Tape 31
Video Tape Raging Planet Tape 32
Video Tape Seismology at Work Tapes 7,13,18
Hopes fade as toll rises to 20,000. Gujarat earthquake. Guardian 29th Jan 2001
Tectonic hazards: earthquakes. P28-46 from Hazards and Responses by Victoria Bishop
(library)
Earthquake rocks Seattle 1/3/01
Central American Earthquake 15/1/01
Earthquakes – An Update Geofile April 1996. No 282
Earthquake prediction and earthquake-resistant building design Handout
A shock at short notice Guardian Dec 4th 1997
China’s earth-shattering discovery Guardian Futures Jan 31st 1985
Natural Hazards – Causes, consequences and Management Frampton, Chaffey, Hardwick
and McNaught p.57-73 (library)
What to do in an Earthquake from ‘The Next Big Earthquake May Come Sooner Than
You Think’ US Geological Survey.
The two large earthquakes in the South Iceland seismic zone on June 17 and 21, 2000
A Sense of Disaster – Earthquake Prediction. Tape 44 50 mins.
There are many other websites you could search.
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
margin notes
Module exam GL3 June 2005
TASK 1
Revise your notes on earthquakes from GL1 Earth’s Structure.
TASK 2 EARTHQUAKE DISTRIBUTION
Mark on a world map the distribution of major earthquake zones. They are clearly
related to tectonic plate margins. Label each tectonic plate on the map.
Write a brief explanation in the map margin about why there is a close relationship
between the two distributions.
TASK 3 CLASSIFYING EARTHQUAKES
Describe the two scales which measure the magnitude and the intensity of
earthquakes. What are the main differences between the two scales?
TASK 4 EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
Use as many resources as you can describe these main primary hazards which can
be caused by earthquakes:
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Shaking
Liquefaction
Tsunamis and seiches
Landslides, mudslides and avalanches
As you use the resources complete a hazards checklist which will help you
identify the important information in these articles and videos.
TASK 5 DAMAGE TO THE PHYSICAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENTS
Complete at least THREE hazard checklists to find out what secondary hazards
earthquakes can cause.
TASK 6 PREDICTION AND MONITORING PRECURSORS
Earthquakes are not easy to predict. Find out about these methods of prediction
and monitoring.
Watch EH16 A Sense of Disaster on Earthquake Prediction and make notes on
these subjects:
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Seismic activity and analysis of seismic gaps
Strain gauges to measure surface tilting and bulging (dilation)
Changes in water levels in wells and electrical resistivity of rocks
Increases in gas radon levels in groundwater
Satellite information on changes in ground levels
Hazard mapping
Anomalous animal behaviour
Earthquake lights
Go through your hazard checklists to research how each type of monitoring is used.
Continue to research other resources until you are satisfied that you know about
each type of monitoring method.
Use this box for notes
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
margin notes
Module exam GL3 June 2005
TASK 7 MANAGEMENT OF EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
Suggest ways of reducing the chances of earthquakes occurring and the ways in
which damage might be reduced. Make notes on:
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Fluid injection and controlled stress release along faults
Earthquake and tsunami hazard mapping
Building safety codes
Other estimations of earthquake risks in a region
TASK 8 CASE STUDY ON THE SOUTH ICELAND EARTHQUAKES JUNE 2000
Read and discuss the passage.
Write a paragraph summarising the success of the predictions mentioning the
location, timing and magnitude of the earthquakes.
TASK 9
EARTHQUAKES AND LEVELS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Describe the differences between the effects of a major earthquake in a developed
region, such as California or Seattle, compared with a less developed area such as
Gujarat state (India) or Turkey. Use recent earthquakes as examples.
TASK 10 EXAM QUESTION PACK
Complete the Earthquake Hazards EQP 1 and 2
Deadline……………………………………
TASK 11 ESSAY QUESTION
Here are two examples of recent essay questions on this topic. Use them for
revision.
1. Explain what a geologist means by the expression ‘hazard prediction’.
Illustrate your answer with reference to two different types of hazard
prediction and comment on the problems associated with each of the two types
of prediction.
2. Describe and discuss the factors that should be considered when undertaking a
risk assessment exercise in an area prone to earthquakes.
Use this box for notes
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