# Q4A · Describe in detail any four types of impact observed in reference to topography and g…

Subject: Disaster Management

Exam: TEE

Reader: https://deep-learning-study-room.vercel.app/dm/#tee/papers/paper-2023-02-07/q4a

Canonical: https://deep-learning-study-room.vercel.app/read/dm/tee/papers/paper-2023-02-07--q4a/

Actual older TEE paper · 100 marks · Q1 compulsory; any four of Q2–Q7

### Q4A. Describe in detail any four types of impact observed in reference to topography and ground profiling due to earthquake. [10 marks]

#### Answer

**Definition.** Earthquake damage results from shaking and ground failure, followed in some cases by cascading hazards such as fire, landslides and tsunami.

| Effect | Mechanism | Consequence |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ground shaking | Seismic waves accelerate the ground. | Structures experience inertia forces and may crack or collapse. |
| Surface rupture | Fault displacement reaches the surface. | Roads, pipelines and foundations crossing the rupture may break. |
| Liquefaction | Shaking raises pore-water pressure in susceptible saturated loose soils. | Soil loses effective strength; structures can settle or tilt. |
| Landslide / rockfall | Shaking destabilises slopes. | Settlements and roads may be buried or cut off. |
| Tsunami | Some undersea earthquakes displace the water column. | Coastal inundation; not every earthquake generates a tsunami. |
| Fire and leaks | Utilities or industrial equipment break. | Fire, contamination and loss of water or power. |

## Impacts in an exam answer

**Physical:** building and lifeline damage. **Social:** death, injury, displacement, disrupted education and trauma. **Economic:** direct repair losses and indirect loss of production or wages. **Ecological:** slope disturbance, habitat damage and contamination. Disease risk can increase where safe water, sanitation and healthcare fail; an epidemic is not inevitable after every earthquake.

#### Illustrative application · A classroom earthquake illustration

A fault begins to rupture below ground at the focus. The surface point vertically above it is the epicentre. Waves spread outward and shake buildings; the damage also depends on local ground and construction. Use the labelled diagram in the earthquake chapter to connect these terms.