It is the shaking of the earth as a result of a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. They range in intensity; this is measured using the Richter scale(it is logarithmic).

Impacts

Primary

• Ground shaking
• Ground rupturing
• Landslides
• liquefaction
  • The solid is reduced to liquid.

Secondary

• Tsunamis
• Fires
• Seiches
  • Like tsunamis for lakes.
  • Only a few meters in height, but it is really dangerous.

Mitigation Strategies

• Engineering Structures.
  • Buildings to withstand the ground shaking.
  • Analysis of the soil that the buildings are going to built on.
• Enforcing building codes
  • Without enforcing the building codes, the buildings will not be safe during a earthquake.
• Public awareness