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  • Seismic and volcanic risk > Internal geological processes
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          5. SEISMIC AND VOLCANIC RISK

          Talking book 

           

          Geological risks are threats originating from geological processes that cause damage to the lives of human beings, their belongings8 and buildings.

           

          The risk not only depends on the intensity and the frequency of the phenomenon, but also on the density and size of the population and the type of infrastructures in the place affected.

          Risk = danger (Probability that the phenomenon happens in this place at a certain time.) × vulnerability (Value of the damage that people, or their belongings, can suffer as a consequence of the phenomenon).

          So, in an uninhabited area, the risk is zero. However, in an area with medium danger but a very high population density and poorly designed infrastructures, the risk can be the similar to an area with high seismic danger that has buildings designed to resist earthquakes.

          Earthquakes and explosive volcanic eruptions are the internal geological phenomena that cause the most victims and material damage.

          Video 3: Mount Ontake survivors

          5.1. Seismic risk

          Talking book 

          Every year there are close to a million earthquakes; about 150000 are felt by the population and the rest only by seismographs. To evaluate the strength of earthquakes, there are two types of measurements: magnitude and intensity.

          • The magnitude of an earthquake measures the energy released in the hypocentre. To express this, we use the Richter scale, which is exponential. For each unit that goes up on the scale, the energy released is multiplied by 30. For example, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6 on the Richter scale releases 30 times more energy than one with a magnitude 5.
          • The intensity evaluates the damage caused by the earthquake in a certain area. Nowadays, it is measured on a European macroseismic scale EMS-98, that has twelve levels, from1 (‘not felt') to 12 (‘completely devastating').

          An earthquake will only have one value of magnitude, but its intensity will vary depending on the area where it is measured: the maximum is found in the epicentre and decreases further away from it.

          The main risk of earthquakes is the movement of the ground and the collapse of buildings, as occurred in 1976 in Tangshan, China, where more than half a million people died. Other historic examples of the effects of an earthquake are the following:

          Landslides of mud and rocks like the one that buried the Peruvian city of Yungay in 1970, after the earthquake of Ancash. 
          Fires that burn out of control because underground gas and water pipes are destroyed, like the earthquake that completely destroyed San Francisco in 1906. 
          Tsunamis are caused by large earthquakes that affect the ocean floor. The most recent and devastating tsunamis occurred in Indonesia (2004) and in Japan (2011).

           

           

          5.1.1. Seismic risk in Spain

          Talking book 

          The Iberian Peninsula is situated near the contact region of the African and the Eurasian plates, although it is not a very active area.

          As a result, there is a moderate seismic risk, less than in most other Mediterranean countries. This means that there are earthquakes which are felt by the population and more rarely, others that cause considerable damage.

          Catastrophic earthquakes in this area cannot be ruled out, such as the one in Arenas del Rey (Granada) in 1884, which caused more than 1 000 deaths, or the most recent one in Lorca (Murcia) in 2011, which caused nine deaths.

          5.2. Volcanic risk

          Talking book 

          The risks associated with volcanic activity are quite varied, as you can see in the following figures and examples:

          Risks associated with volcanic activity
          • The eruption of Laki (Iceland) in 1783-84 released so much ash and gases into the atmosphere that temperatures in the northern hemisphere went down substantially, causing losses of crops and starvation.
          • On 27 August 1883 the explosion of Krakatoa in Indonesia produced a tsunami that caused 36000 deaths.
          • On 8 May 1902 a pyroclastic flow from the volcano Mount Pelèe destroyed the city of St. Pierre (Martinique Island) killing 28000 people.
          • On 13 November 1985 a small eruption in the Nevado del Ruiz volcano (Colombia) melted part of snowy summit causing a lahar that buried 23000 people.
          • On 21 August 1986 a cloud of carbon dioxide from a volcano caused the death of 1746 people due to suffocation in Cameroon.
          • On 17 January 2002 the streams of lava from the Nyiragongo volcano caused close to one hundred deaths in the city of Goma (Zaire).

          5.3. PREDICTING EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES

          Talking book 

          We are still very far away from being able to predict the day and time that the next earthquake will occur. We do not even have reliable indicators that tell us how close it is. But we do know that where there have already been earthquakes of some intensity every certain amount of time, they will continue to happen with a similar intensity and regularity.

          The elastic rebound theory can help us to have an approximate idea of the areas of a fault that are susceptible to displacement soon.

          Earthquake prediction is based on measuring the accumulated pressure in the rock near the faults or detecting the microfractures that sometimes appear before the main displacement. These microfractures produce changes in the magnetic and electrical properties of the rocks and allow certain gases to escape, such as radon.

          Signs of possible earthquakes

           

          Volcanic eruptions can be predicted with a certain amount of accuracy, provided we have the instruments and people monitoring them. This is done by registering the signs that magma is accumulating in the magma chamber and then the factors that allow it to rise towards the surface. When this occurs, a series of micro-earthquakes known as volcanic tremor take place.

          Another important source of indicators is the measurement of the amount, composition and temperature of the gases and thermal springs released by the volcano before eruption.

          Video 4: Volcano hazards 

          5.4. Seismic and volcanic prevention

          Talking book 
          Prevention is defined as the combination of the measures adopted to reduce the risks of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
          Tsunami warning system

          Although we cannot stop earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, it is possible to take decisions that reduce the risk or take measures that lessen the damage caused. The risk formula doesn't include the reduction of the danger but it does include the reduction of vulnerability. For example, we can lessen seismic risk by not constructing buildings on poorly consolidated sediments, or by reinforcing them with iron or reinforced concrete for better resistance to the movement of the ground.

          The first step is to determine the seismic or volcanic risk in the area and make maps showing the danger. Then, prevention is worked with in three areas in order to reduce the vulnerability or exposure to that phenomenon:

          • Territorial planning by consulting seismic hazard maps and avoiding, for example, building in areas of high risk, especially buildings such as hospitals, power plants and schools.
          • Earthquake resistant design used in buildings and infrastructures and the reinforcement of existing structures to reduces seismic risk.
          • Planning before emergencies increases the capacity of the population to respond and the methods of self-protection against earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In the case of volcanoes, the most adequate measure is to plan evacuation of risk zones before the eruption. For this, there are three levels of alert, represented in the form of a traffic light.
          Key concepts
          • Geological risks are threats that come from geological processes that cause loss of human lives and their belongings and buildings.
          • Although these processes cannot be prevented and are difficult to predict, the risk can be reduced with adequate preventative measures.

           

           

          Key structure

          conjunction not only... but also:

          The risk not only depends on... but also on...

          1

          Activity 35
          Find out if an earthquake with a magnitude of 6 is twice as strong as one with a magnitude of 3. If not, how much stronger is it? Select the right answer.

          2

          Activity 36
          Explain how the following factors will affect personal and material damage caused by an earthquake:

          3

          Activity 37
          Look at the map. Listen and answer the questions.

          4

          Activity 38
          Explain why lava flows are an important volcanic risk.

          5

          Activity 39
          The VEI is used to measure the danger of an eruption. Look at the graph and answer the following questions.

          6

          Activity 40
          Look at the diagrams and explain how an earthquake is produced according to this theory.

          7

          Activity 41
          Find out what instruments are used to predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Then select the instruments used from the following list.

          8

          Activity 42
          Investigate the difference between earthquake precursors and aftershocks. What importance do each of these have? Then categorise the different sentences by placing them under their correspongding section.

          9

          Activity 43
          Discuss the difference between our knowledge and techniques to predict volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

          10

          Activity 44
          The earthquake that hit India in 1993, of magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale, caused 30 000 deaths. A year later, another earthquake of the same magnitude occurred in California, but only caused 63 deaths, although it also affected a densely populated area. How can you explain this difference?

          11

          Activity 45
          Complete the table to compare the different damages associated with both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

          12

          Activity 46
          Why is it so important in the prediction and prevention of earthquakes to know in detail the history of earthquakes on a fault line?

          13

          Activity 47
          Discuss the reasons why earthquakes have been a much more destructive geological phenomenon than volcanic eruptions.

           
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 35

          0/1

          Find out if an earthquake with a magnitude of 6 is twice as strong as one with a magnitude of 3. If not, how much stronger is it? Select the right answer. 

          • Yes, the statement is correct. An earthquake with a magnitude of 6 is twice as strong as one with a magnitude of 3.

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • No, sería 30 x 3 = 90 la energía que liberará un seísmo de magnitud 6 ya que es tres veces más fuerte de magnitud.

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • No. It would be 30 x 30 x 30 = 27 000. It would release 27 000 times more energy.

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta

          Quedan 3 intentos
          Hecho
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 36

          P

          Explain how the following factors will affect personal and material damage caused by an earthquake:

          a) Focal depth of the earthquake
          b) Day and time when it occurs
          c) Type of substratum (hard rock or poorly consolidated sediment)
          d) Type of buildings

          Queda 1 intento
          Hecho
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 37

          P
          Look at the map. Listen and answer the questions. 
          a)
          b)
          Seismic risk in Spain: maximum intensity expected in a 500 year period (source:IGN)
          Seismic risk in Spain: maximum intensity expected in a 500 year period (source:IGN)

          Queda 1 intento
          Hecho
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 38

          P

          Explain why lava flows are an important volcanic risk.

          Queda 1 intento
          Hecho
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 39

          0/2

          The VEI is used to measure the danger of an eruption. Look at the graph and answer the following questions. 

          • What two factors determine the VEI?
          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • What is the maximum height that ash clouds can reach?
          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          VEI (volcanic explosivity index)
          VEI (volcanic explosivity index)

          Quedan 3 intentos
          Hecho
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 40

          P

          Look at the diagrams and explain how an earthquake is produced according to this theory.

          Elastic rebound theory
          Elastic rebound theory

          Queda 1 intento
          Hecho
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 41

          0/6

          Find out what instruments are used to predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Then select the instruments used from the following list. 

          • flow meter

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • accelerometer

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • seismograph

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • resistivity and magnetometer

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • radon gas meter

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • audiometer

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • inclinometer

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • voltmeter

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • GPS

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta
          • pedometer

          • Respuesta correcta
            Respuesta incorrecta

          Quedan 3 intentos
          Hecho
          Seismic and volcanic risk
          Internal geological processes
          Sin sonido de fondo
          Logo

          Activity 42

          0/5

          Investigate the difference between earthquake precursors and aftershocks. What importance do each of these have? Then categorise the different sentences by placing them under their correspongding section. 

          • They always come after a major earthquake and involve the repositioning of displaced blocks until they are in a balanced position.

          • They are small vibrations that sometimes precede a large earthquake.

          • They increase the damage and cause further distress to the human population, they often end up destroying already damaged buildings.

          • They are produced by the fracturing of rocks prior to a large displacement itself.

          • The importance of these, if any, would be to anticipate or predict a major earthquake.

          precursors

            precursors

            aftershocks

              aftershocks

                /*%%SmartyNocache:21409488306870a5eec34319_13806202%%*/smarty->registered_plugins[Smarty::PLUGIN_FUNCTION]['textweb'][0], array( array('name'=>"slide_classify_initial_group",'value'=>"Ninguno",'value_en'=>"Reset"),$_smarty_tpl ) );?> /*/%%SmartyNocache:21409488306870a5eec34319_13806202%%*/ precursors aftershocks

              Quedan 3 intentos
              Hecho
              Seismic and volcanic risk
              Internal geological processes
              Sin sonido de fondo
              Logo

              Activity 43

              P

              Discuss the difference between our knowledge and techniques to predict volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

              Queda 1 intento
              Hecho
              Seismic and volcanic risk
              Internal geological processes
              Sin sonido de fondo
              Logo

              Activity 44

              P

              The earthquake that hit India in 1993, of magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale, caused 30 000 deaths. A year later, another earthquake of the same magnitude occurred in California, but only caused 63 deaths, although it also affected a densely populated area. How can you explain this difference?

              Queda 1 intento
              Hecho
              Seismic and volcanic risk
              Internal geological processes
              Sin sonido de fondo
              Logo

              Activity 45

              0/11

              Complete the table to compare the different damages associated with both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

              • hot avalanches

              • tsunamis

              • landslides

              • lahars

              • tsunamis

              • gaseous emissions

              • flooding from broken water systems and/or dams

              • ashfall and pyroclastic material

              • lava flows

              • collapse of buildings

              • fire

              damages associated with volcanoes

                damages associated with volcanoes

                damages associated with earthquakes

                  damages associated with earthquakes

                    /*%%SmartyNocache:21409488306870a5eec34319_13806202%%*/smarty->registered_plugins[Smarty::PLUGIN_FUNCTION]['textweb'][0], array( array('name'=>"slide_classify_initial_group",'value'=>"Ninguno",'value_en'=>"Reset"),$_smarty_tpl ) );?> /*/%%SmartyNocache:21409488306870a5eec34319_13806202%%*/ damages associated with volcanoes damages associated with earthquakes

                  Quedan 3 intentos
                  Hecho
                  Seismic and volcanic risk
                  Internal geological processes
                  Sin sonido de fondo
                  Logo

                  Activity 46

                  P

                  Why is it so important in the prediction and prevention of earthquakes to know in detail the history of earthquakes on a fault line?

                  Queda 1 intento
                  Hecho
                  Seismic and volcanic risk
                  Internal geological processes
                  Sin sonido de fondo
                  Logo

                  Activity 47

                  P

                  Discuss the reasons why earthquakes have been a much more destructive geological phenomenon than volcanic eruptions.

                  Queda 1 intento
                  Hecho