IB Geography Topic D.1.3 Earthquake Characteristics and Hazards Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Geography Topic D.1.3 Earthquake Characteristics and Hazards Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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Types of Seismic Activity and Associated Risks

Imagine standing on solid ground when, without warning, it begins to shake violently.
Buildings sway, roads crack, and chaos unfolds.
This is the reality of an earthquake, a sudden release of energy within the Earth.

Definition

Earthquake

Earthquake is a sudden releases of energy in the Earth’s crust, causing ground shaking.

Earthquake Features

Depth of Focus: Shallow vs. Deep

Definition

Focus

The focus is the point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

Definition

Epicenter

The epicenter is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.

Shallow Focus (0–70 km)

Closer to the Surface: Energy travels a shorter distance, causing more intense shaking.
Higher Destruction Potential: These earthquakes often cause significant damage to infrastructure and pose greater risks to human life.

Example

The 2010 Haiti earthquake had a shallow focus, leading to widespread devastation.

Deep Focus (300-700 km)

Farther from the Surface: Energy dissipates as it travels upward, reducing the intensity of shaking.
Less Destructive: While still powerful, deep-focus earthquakes generally cause less surface damage.

Example

The 2013 Okhotsk Sea earthquake had a focus over 600 km deep, resulting in minimal surface impact despite its magnitude.

Note

Tip

Shallow-focus earthquakes are more common near tectonic plate boundaries, while deep-focus earthquakes occur in subduction zones where one plate sinks beneath another.

Types of Seismic Waves

When an earthquake occurs, it generates seismic waves that travel through the Earth. These waves are classified into three main types:

P-Waves (Primary Waves)

Fastest Waves: Travel at speeds of 6–8 km/s.
Compressional Motion: Push and pull the ground in the direction of wave travel.
Travel Through Solids and Liquids: Can move through the Earth’s core.

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IB Geography D.1.3 Earthquake Characteristics and Hazards Notes

Types of Seismic Activity and Associated Risks

Earthquake Features

Depth of Focus: Shallow vs. Deep

Shallow Focus (0–70 km)

Deep Focus (300-700 km)

Types of Seismic Waves

P-Waves (Primary Waves)

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Types of Seismic Activity and Associated Risks

Earthquake Features

Depth of Focus: Shallow vs. Deep

Shallow Focus (0–70 km)

Deep Focus (300-700 km)

Types of Seismic Waves

P-Waves (Primary Waves)

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1 Changing Population3 subtopics

2 Global Climate - Vulnerability and Resilience3 subtopics

3 Global Resource Consumption and Security3 subtopics

4 Power, Places and Networks (HL only)3 subtopics

5 Human Development and Diversity (HL only)3 subtopics

6 Global Risks and Resilience (HL only)3 subtopics

Option A Freshwater - Drainage Basins4 subtopics

Option B Oceans and Coastal Margins4 subtopics

Option C Extreme Environments4 subtopics

Option D Geophysical Hazards4 subtopics

Option E Leisure, Tourism and Sport4 subtopics

Option F The Geography of Food and Health4 subtopics

Option G Urban Environments5 subtopics

IB Geography D.1.3 Earthquake Characteristics and Hazards Notes

1 Changing Population3 subtopics

2 Global Climate - Vulnerability and Resilience3 subtopics

3 Global Resource Consumption and Security3 subtopics

4 Power, Places and Networks (HL only)3 subtopics

5 Human Development and Diversity (HL only)3 subtopics

6 Global Risks and Resilience (HL only)3 subtopics

Option A Freshwater - Drainage Basins4 subtopics

Option B Oceans and Coastal Margins4 subtopics

Option C Extreme Environments4 subtopics

Option D Geophysical Hazards4 subtopics

Option E Leisure, Tourism and Sport4 subtopics

Option F The Geography of Food and Health4 subtopics

Option G Urban Environments5 subtopics

Types of Seismic Activity and Associated Risks

Earthquake Features

Depth of Focus: Shallow vs. Deep

Shallow Focus (0–70 km)

Deep Focus (300-700 km)

Types of Seismic Waves

P-Waves (Primary Waves)

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Types of Seismic Activity and Associated Risks

Earthquake Features

Depth of Focus: Shallow vs. Deep

Shallow Focus (0–70 km)

Deep Focus (300-700 km)

Types of Seismic Waves

P-Waves (Primary Waves)

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account