Ground disturbances are any geologic activity that occurs at or near the Earth’s surface, such as earthquakes, sinkholes, landslides, and volcanoes. Ground disturbances not only affect humans but are also often accompanied by severe impacts on economy, society, and environment. The risk of such events poses a significant challenge to society at large. Therefore, it is crucial for engineers, geologists, and disaster management experts to know about the different types of ground disturbances and their potential effects on buildings, infrastructures, and human settlements. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of ground disturbances and their potential effects on buildings and human settlements.
What is an earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden and strong change in the ground surface that is caused by the sudden release of energy from tectonic activity. The term ‘earthquake’ is used to describe any sudden and strong change in the ground surface. Any sudden acceleration or deceleration in the movement of land masses is referred to as an ‘earthquake’. The term ‘earthquake’ generally refers to the sudden and violent movement of the surface of the ground caused by the sudden release of energy from tectonic processes such as the shifting or breaking of geological faults. The word ‘earthquake’ is derived from the Latin word ‘earthquae’ (from ‘aqua’ meaning water). This is because the waves generated during an earthquake can be compared to the wave generated when a bucket of water is dropped into a pond. The energy released during an earthquake can be as much as 100 times more powerful than the energy contained in the deepest ocean.
What is a volcanic eruption?
A volcanic eruption is a sudden and violent explosive event during which gas and magma are released from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere. Volcanic eruptions are usually preceded by an increase in the rate of volcanic activity, often as a result of increased pressure being placed on the magma and gases by tectonic forces that are trying to force the magma towards the surface. This will usually cause the ground to begin to crack and form fissures, known as ‘volcanic vents’. Volcanic eruptions usually begin with a ‘phreatic’ explosion, which causes the ground above the vents to be thrown up, forming a cloud of dust and ash. The explosive force from the eruption will then cause the ground to collapse into the vents, forming a crater.
What are the different types of ground disturbances?
We can identify three main types of ground disturbances: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods. Each of these can be either natural or anthropogenic in nature. Natural disturbances include earthquakes, volcanism and floods; while anthropogenic disturbances include mining, construction, and tunnelling. Let’s discuss each one in detail.
Earthquake
An earthquake is a sudden and strong change in the ground surface that is caused by the sudden release of energy from tectonic activity. The term ‘earthquake’ is used to describe any sudden and strong change in the ground surface. Any sudden acceleration or deceleration in the movement of land masses is referred to as an ‘earthquake’. The term ‘earthquake’ generally refers to the sudden and violent movement of the surface of the ground caused by the sudden release of energy from tectonic processes such as the shifting or breaking of geological faults. The word ‘earthquake’ is derived from the Latin word ‘earthquae’ (from ‘aqua’ meaning water). This is because the waves generated during an earthquake can be compared to the wave generated when a bucket of water is dropped into a pond. The energy released during an earthquake can be as much as 100 times more powerful than the energy contained in the deepest ocean.
Volcanic Eruption
A volcanic eruption is a sudden and violent explosive event during which gas and magma are released from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere. Volcanic eruptions are usually preceded by an increase in the rate of volcanic activity, often as a result of increased pressure being placed on the magma and gases by tectonic forces that are trying to force the magma towards the surface. This will usually cause the ground to begin to crack and form fissures, known as ‘volcanic vents’. Volcanic eruptions usually begin with a ‘phreatic’ explosion, which causes the ground above the vents to be thrown up, forming a cloud of dust and ash. The explosive force from the eruption will then cause the ground to collapse into the vents, forming a crater.
Flood
A flood is an extreme natural event that occurs when there is an exceptional amount of precipitation or runoff that cannot be absorbed by the ground in a given area. Floods can be caused by the sudden and rapid oversaturation of a watershed as a result of heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or the breaking of a levee. Floods can be either localised or widespread. Localised floods are usually short-lived and result in a limited area of inundation. However, widespread floods can cause extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The floods may also be accompanied by hazards such as the high risk of drowning and the spread of communicable diseases.
Conclusion
The above article provides an overview of the different types of ground disturbances and their potential effects on buildings and human settlements. For example, earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse, while volcanoes can cause buildings and their surroundings to be covered in lava. In addition, floods can cause buildings to flood and be damaged.