effects of tectonic hazards

• There are two types of effects caused by tectonic hazards, these are primary and secondary effects. Primary effects are things that happen immediately as a result of a hazard. Secondary effects are things that happen in the hours, days and weeks after the initial hazard.
• The primary effects of an earthquake can include:

  • People killed and injured.
  • Property, buildings and homes destroyed.
  • Bridges, roads, ports and railways destroyed.
  • Gas and water pipes and electric cables are broken.
• The secondary effects of an earthquake can include:

  • The economy slowing due to money being spent repairing damage and business activity reduced.
  • Blocked transport infrastructure restricts emergency services from rescuing people.
  • Burst water pipes lead to a shortage of fresh water, poor sanitation and illness.
  • Fires starting due to broken gas pipes and fallen electricity cables
• The primary effects of a volcanic eruption can include:

  • Farmland and property destroyed.
  • People and livestock killed and injured.
  • Air travel restricted or cancelled due to ash in the atmosphere.
  • Contaminated water supplies.
• The secondary effects of a volcanic eruption can include:

  • Emergency services struggle to arrive.
  • Glaciers covering volcanoes melt, causing flooding.
  • Rainfall and meltwater mix with volcanic ash to create mudflows (lahars).
  • Tourism increases with people interested in seeing the impact of the volcanic eruption.
  • Ash provides fertile soil for agriculture.