6. Reducing the Impact of Earthquakes & Volcanoes

What is the difference between short-term and long-term responses to earthquakes and volcanoes?

• Short-term responses: happen immediately after an event → aid, rescue, and disaster relief.

• Long-term responses: aim to reduce the impact of future events → risk assessments, hazard mapping, and planning.

How can the impacts of earthquakes be reduced in the long term?

• Monitoring: tiltmeters, clusters of small quakes, radon gas, animal behavior, satellite remote sensing.

• Building design & engineering:

  • Shutters and reinforced glass

  • Cross-bracing/diagonal steel frames

  • Flexible materials & deep foundations

  • Frames that sway with tremors

  • Rubber shock absorbers

  • Fire-resistant materials & automatic cut-off for gas/electricity

• Preparedness: earthquake drills and education reduce injuries from falling objects.

How does land use planning help reduce the impacts of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions?

• Remote sensing: satellites (e.g., Sentinel 1) monitor ground movement.

• GIS mapping: layers of vulnerable areas, land use, infrastructure.

• Planning:

  • Avoid building hospitals, fire services, or dense housing in high-risk zones.

  • Guide settlement away from hazard-prone areas.

List key strategies used to reduce the impacts of earthquakes and volcanoes.

• Monitoring & early warning systems

• Strict building regulations & earthquake-resistant construction

• Education & drills for residents

• Land use planning & hazard mapping using GIS

• Avoiding high-risk areas for infrastructure and housing