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Earthquakes are some of the most devastating natural disasters. Millions of dollars worth of property are damaged and a hundred die every time a big magnitude of eater quake strikes. It is in this regard that everyone must read and know about earthquakes and be prepared to mitigate the damage. Furthermore, the topic of earthquakes is quite often asked in exams. Preparing for this topic will enable them to have an edge and score more marks in the English paper.
To serve the above-mentioned purpose, Vedantu has come up with the Earthquake essay. This essay is prepared by the experts who know what exactly is required to know and weeding out points that are not important. The essay is very precise and would surely allow students to successfully claim marks in the essay question and even stay prepared when an earthquake actually strikes.
What is an Earthquake?
When the earth’s surface shakes, the phenomenon is referred to as an earthquake. Precisely, the sudden trembling of the earth’s surface is the cause of an earthquake. Earthquakes are regarded as one of the deadliest natural disasters. Huge damage and loss of property are caused by earthquakes. There are various types of earthquakes. Some of them are severe in nature. The most dangerous thing about an earthquake is that it is quite unpredictable. It can cause several damages without any previous indication. The intensity of an earthquake is measured by the Richter’s scale. Generally, earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates under the earth’s surface.
Types of Earthquake
There are four kinds of earthquakes namely
Tectonic Earthquake,
Volcanic Earthquake,
Collapse Earthquake and
Explosive Earthquake.
Tectonic Earthquake
It is caused due to the movement of the slab of rocks of uneven shapes that lie underneath the earth’s crust. Apart from that, energy is stored in the earth’s crust. Tectonic plates are pushed away from each other or towards each other due to the energy. A pressure is formed because of the energy and movement as time passes. A fault line is formed due to severe pressure. The center point of this dispersion is the epicenter of the earthquake. Subsequently, traveling of the waves of energy from focus to the surface causes the tremor.
Volcanic Earthquake
The earthquake caused by volcanic activity is called a volcanic earthquake. These kinds of earthquakes are of weaker magnitudes. Volcanic earthquakes are categorized into two types. In the first type, which is called volcano-tectonic, shaking happens due to input or withdrawal of Magma. In the second type, which is termed as Long-period earthquake, tremors occur due to changing of pressure among the earth’s layers.
Collapse Earthquake
Collapse Earthquake is the third type of earthquake that occurs in the caverns and mines. This is another example of a weak magnitude earthquake. Mines collapsed due to underground blasts. Consequently, seismic waves are formed due to this collapsing. Earthquakes occur because of these seismic waves.
Explosive Earthquake
The fourth type of earthquake is called an explosive earthquake. This is caused due to the testing of nuclear weapons.
Effects of Earthquake
The effects of earthquakes are very severe and deadly.
It can cause irreparable damage to property and loss of human lives. The lethality of an earthquake depends on its distance from the epicentre.
Damage to establishments is the direct impact of an earthquake. In the hilly areas, several landslides are caused due to earthquakes.
Another major impact of an earthquake is soil liquefaction. Losing the strength of water-saturated granular material is the cause behind this. The rigidity of soil is totally lost due to this.
Since the earthquake affects the electric power and gas lines, it can cause a fire to break out.
Deadly Tsunamis are caused due to earthquakes. Gigantic sea waves are caused by the sudden or abnormal movement of huge volumes of water. This is called an earthquake in the ocean. When tsunamis hit the sea coasts, they cause a massive loss of lives and properties.
Earthquake is termed as one of the most huge and lethal natural disasters in the world. It proves the fact that human beings are just nothing in front of nature. The sudden occurrence of earthquakes shocks everyone. Scientists are working rigorously to prevent the damage of earthquakes, but nothing fruitful has been achieved yet.
Examples of Devastating Earthquake
The city of Kobe in Japan witnessed a devastating earthquake on January 17, 1995, killing more than 6,000 and making more than 45,000 people homeless. The magnitude of the quake was 6.9 at the moment which caused damage of around 100 million dollars. The governor of Kobe spent years on reconstruction and made efforts to bring back fifty thousand people who had left home. Japan geologically is a highly active country. It lies upon four major tectonic plates namely, Eurasian, Philippine, Pacific, and North American which frequently meet and interact.
The second incident is in Nepal where an earthquake struck on April 25, 2015. About 9000 people were killed and almost 600,000 structures were destroyed. The magnitude of the quake was 7.9 and the repels were felt by neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, China and India. The disaster caused severe damage of millions of dollars. All the countries across the world including India garnered to help Nepal by sending monetary aid, medical supplies, transport helicopters and others.
FAQs on Earthquake Essay: Understanding Earthquakes and Their Impact
1. What is the fundamental scientific explanation for an earthquake?
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, which creates seismic waves. This energy is most often released due to the movement of tectonic plates. The Earth's outer layer is composed of these massive plates that are constantly in slow motion. When they grind past each other, collide, or pull apart at fault lines, immense stress builds up. Once this stress exceeds the rock's strength, the rock fractures or slips, causing the ground to shake.
2. What are the major destructive effects of a powerful earthquake?
The effects of a strong earthquake can be catastrophic, impacting both the natural environment and human-made structures. The primary effects include:
- Ground Shaking: This is the most direct effect, causing buildings, bridges, and infrastructure to collapse.
- Tsunamis: Earthquakes occurring under the ocean floor can displace vast amounts of water, generating massive waves that devastate coastal areas.
- Landslides: The intense shaking can destabilise soil and rock on slopes, leading to landslides and avalanches in hilly or mountainous regions.
- Soil Liquefaction: In areas with water-saturated soil, the shaking can cause the ground to lose its strength and behave like a liquid, leading structures to sink or collapse.
- Fires: Ruptured gas lines and broken electrical cables are common secondary effects that can trigger widespread fires.
3. What are the essential safety measures to follow during an earthquake?
During an earthquake, the main goal is to protect yourself from falling objects and collapsing structures. The most recommended safety protocol is "Drop, Cover, and Hold On".
- DROP down onto your hands and knees.
- Take COVER under a sturdy piece of furniture like a heavy table or desk.
- HOLD ON to your shelter firmly until the shaking stops.
4. Why are some earthquakes more destructive than others, even if they have a similar magnitude?
The destructive impact of an earthquake depends on more than just its magnitude. Several critical factors determine its severity:
- Depth of Focus: An earthquake with a shallow focus (the point of rupture is close to the surface) is generally more destructive than a deeper one, as the seismic energy has less distance to travel.
- Geology of the Area: The type of rock and soil on the surface can significantly alter the impact. Soft, loose sediment can amplify the shaking, while solid bedrock is more stable.
- Proximity to the Epicentre: The closer a location is to the epicentre (the point on the surface directly above the focus), the more intense the shaking will be.
- Building Standards: The design and construction quality of buildings in a region play a massive role. Structures built with earthquake-resistant technology are far more likely to withstand shaking.
5. What is the key difference between an earthquake's focus and its epicentre?
While both terms relate to the location of an earthquake, they refer to two distinct points. The focus, also known as the hypocentre, is the precise point within the Earth's crust where the rock rupture originates and the seismic waves begin. The epicentre, on the other hand, is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus. The most intense shaking is typically felt at the epicentre.
6. How does learning about earthquakes contribute to a student's education beyond science?
Studying earthquakes provides a multidisciplinary learning experience. Beyond the scientific concepts, it helps students develop:
- Disaster Preparedness: Understanding the causes and effects fosters awareness of safety measures, a crucial life skill.
- Geographical Awareness: It highlights the dynamic nature of our planet and explains why certain regions are more prone to natural hazards.
- Critical Thinking: Analysing the social and economic impacts of major earthquakes, like those in Japan or Nepal, encourages students to think about infrastructure, community resilience, and global aid.
- Empathy and Social Responsibility: Learning about the human toll of these events can foster empathy and a sense of responsibility towards affected communities.
