earthquake case studies

• nepal:

  Result of a movement of a thrust fault along the convergent boundary between the Eurasian and the Indo-Australian plates. 
• nepal:

  Initial shock was a magnitude of 7.8, with a focus 9.3 miles below the surface. Two large aftershocks within on day of the main quake and a dozen afterquakes in the days following. 17 days later another aftershock of a similar magnitude to the first shock. 
• nepal:

  9000 people were killed. 
• In Nepal earthquakes are expected but are difficult to predict, Nepal is a poor country so have little technology available to monitor tectonic activity. 
• Nepal has monitored microseismic activity since 1978, the government has improved building codes and ensured power stations are not located in vulnerable positions. 
• new zealand:

  In 2011 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch with a depth of focus being 4 kilometres. There were several aftershocks. Extensive damage to infrastructure, power outages and liquefaction were impacts of the quakes. 
• New Zealand:

  185 people died. 
• New Zealand have hundreds of seismometers to help rapidly detect seismic activity and deploy mitigation measures. 
• New Zealand:

  Buildings are build to adhere to strict codes that help prevent building damage in a quake. 
• New Zealand has an emergency procedure - drop, cover and hold. Do not run outside to avoid being hit or falling. 
• New Zealand has no earthquake warning system. 
• New Zealand is found on the convergent boundary between the pacific and Australian plate.