Risk From An Earthquake example essay topic

317 words
Geography, Kobe Assessment In January 1995 a road connecting Kobe with Osaka collapsed during the most deadly earthquake to hit Japan since 1923. The quake ignited firestorms and caused massive destruction in Kobe. 5,000+people were killed and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. Kobe was at risk from an Earthquake because buildings in central Kobe were structured with computer control and they were made to adjust to the earth's movement.

The Hyogo-ken Nabu earthquake was not only powerful (magnitude 6.9), but with the epicentre only 20 km southwest of the city, it resulted in massive damage to property and loss of life. When the earthquake had finished the full extent of the damage was shown. Many buildings in Kobe were older and had heavy tile roofs that collapsed on the occupants. Soil and foundation condition, mainly fault and type of structural system were major decisive factors in the performance of structures. Kobe is a largely populated area, the earthquake subsequently caused a lot of death and damage. In Kobe there are a lot of factories, which export many varied things including fruit, vegetables, tea, electrical equipment and textiles.

Most of the factories that exported these items were either damaged or destroyed. This also made the export rate to go down. The earthquake also caused a lot of damage because is was a very strong earthquake measuring on the Richter scale at 6.9. The damage risks can be reduced if people live in an earthquake proof house. This reduces the scale of mass destruction caused in January 1995. The risks can be reduced in more investigations into the preventing earthquakes from happening also more research in warning devices so people can prepare for the earthquake and go and find safety.

Build an earthquake shelter similar to Air-raid shelter. A Warning siren.