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Q5B · Discuss in detail at least 10 significances of Mitigation in a Seismic Zone prone to …

2023-02-07 · Semester V/VII re-exam

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

Q5B. Discuss in detail at least 10 significances of Mitigation in a Seismic Zone prone to frequent Earthquakes. [10 marks]

Answer

Ten significances of mitigation in an earthquake-prone area

  1. Life safety. Suitable seismic design reduces collapse risk and deaths.
  2. Fewer injuries. Anchoring ceilings, shelves and equipment reduces falling-object injuries.
  3. Lower structural damage. Competent assessment and retrofitting improve vulnerable buildings.
  4. Continuity of healthcare. Strengthened hospitals and secured equipment support emergency treatment.
  5. Protected lifelines. Appropriate protection of water, power and communications reduces cascading outages.
  6. Reduced secondary hazards. Safer utility connections and protected hazardous materials reduce fire or release risks.
  7. Maintained access. Resilient bridges and roads preserve rescue and relief routes.
  8. Lower household and business losses. Damage reduction limits displacement, stock loss and business interruption.
  9. Fairer protection. Prioritising vulnerable housing, schools and essential services protects people with fewer coping resources.
  10. Safer long-term development. Seismic land-use decisions and sustained building-code implementation avoid recreating preventable vulnerability.

Mitigation reduces likely consequences; it cannot prevent tectonic fault movement or make every structure earthquake-proof. Measures require competent design, implementation and maintenance.