Earthquakes and their Dangers

Paper Summary:

The paper provides a brief overview of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China, the 1982 New Brunswick quake and the 1906 quake of San Francisco. The paper examines the intensity of the damage and how well the situation was handled. The paper shows how imminent warning for major earthquakes is critical in saving lives, especially in densely populated regions. The paper discusses, however, that although scientists are able to predict quakes based on fault lines, they are still unable to issue short-term predictions with any certainty.

From the Paper:

"Earthquakes have always been feared for their catastrophic effects and strike without much of a warning. Many recent earthquakes such as the El Salvador quake and the one that happened in India in 2001, and more recently the earthquake in Indian Ocean that triggered the devastating tsunami in Asia, have all proved that major earthquakes tend to be unpredictable in spite of the advanced scientific equipments used by seismologists. Though scientists now have knowledge about seismic faults and can predict where the next earthquake could occur they do not yet possess the knowledge to predict when the next 'big one will strike" [Sandra Blakeslee]"

Sample of Sources Used:

• SANDRA BLAKESLEE, 'Mercilessly Unpredictable, Quakes Defy Seismologists', Accessed April 23rd 2007, Available at, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/science/28pred.html?ex=1261890000&en=3a888aa1e18b1a35&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
• New York Times, "Tangshan Quake Area in China is Toured by Premier", Aug 5, 1976
• Andrew H Malcolm, "Chinese Disclose that 1976 Earthquake was Deadliest in Four Centuries", New York Times Jan 2, 1977
• Reuters, "Quake Struck Chinese City is a Vast Plain of Rubble", Jun 11, 1977, New York Times
• Dr. Frank J. Collazo, "History of Earthquakes in the United States", Accessed 23rd April 2007, Available at, http://www.fjcollazo.com/fjc_publishings/documents/SFErthquakes.htm

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