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PLATE PAPER
Plate Tectonics Paper

Michelle Tillman
GLG/220
1/12/15
Jessica Terrien Dunn

First and most important hazard is the ground actually shaking. This causes building to be damaged or the ground/foundation to settle different than it was. If the soil is liquefied then the building can actually sink into the ground. This can make the buildings also tip and lean.
Los Angeles was built on a myriad of transform faults that include Santa Monica fault, the San Fernando fault, and Northridge/Santa Barbara fault. Even though these faults are not as well-known as the San Andreas Fault, where it margins are between the Pacific and North American plates that cross Southern California. Los Angeles is sitting near at least 60 known faults. The earth still moves frequently in these smaller less known areas. One example of this is the earthquake that was focused in the Northridge area happened in January 1994. It only lasted 30 seconds registering at 6.7 on the Richter scale but the aftershocks lasted for several days afterwards. Ground displacement is the second hazard main of earthquakes. Especially if there is a building or roadway on or near the fault line. This quake alone killed 60 people, and injuring thousands. It also caused fires and an explosion in the Granada Hills area, causing many buildings and freeways to collapse. There were also many homes left without power or water.
Another main hazard is flooding, to explain a little better earthquakes can cause breaks in dams and levees. Causing the rivers to flood the reservoir, then the water can only move into the rest of the land. This will cause buildings, roadways, etc. to be destroyed or swept away, also people drowning. Earthquakes also can cause Submarine earthquake. They travel across the ocean floor at a high rate of speed have been known to cause Tsunamis. In 1964 the Alaskan earthquake caused damage to many regions in California, though not to Los Angeles at that time. Los Angeles is considered a tsunami



References: https://abrahamtorres.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/plate-tectonics/ http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/hazards.html Keefer, D., 1984, Landslides caused by earthquakes, Geological society of America bulletin, v. 95, p. 406-421. http://people.uwec.edu/jolhm/desertsouthwest/Posters/Earthquake%20Triggered%20landslides%20in%20California.pdf http://www.pupilvision.com/uppersixth/multihazards2.htm

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