Amanda Tee: 2010

Secondary One Geography

History-Geography Integrated Assignment

On 17 June 2000, at 15:41, a damaging South Iceland Earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 occurred in Holt. It happened in the central part of South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) and around Hella. This was followed by a great seismic activity in the entire SISZ, the Hengill Area and the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The earthquake strike at N7 ° E and dips 86° towards the east. The direction of the motion across the plate boundary of the Eurasian and the North-American plate in Iceland was 1.8 cm/year, thus earthquakes in East-West had right lateral motion on North-South striking faults. This resulted in earthquakes happening in the North-South area.

The impact of the earthquake was widespread as the ground acceleration was 64% g. However, the major damage was only mostly confined to the region of the earthquake and the earthquake was said to be especially in Holta, Landssveit and Rangárvellir. All affected areas are estimated to be 440 km².Many buildings, houses and companies suffered great damage. Buildings damaged were mainly older structures and houses destroyed are mostly built on poor foundations, floating base slabs on poor quality and houses with masonry partitions. Surprisingly, equivalent damages also occurred to heavy equipment and objects of several companies and household. In addition, water and electrical power were also disturbed.

In response to the earthquake, the government quickly announced that the electrical and water power and the road will be repaired in a few days.While, 5% of the damaged buildings were beyond repair and were demolished.

I think that precautionary measures should be taken to achieve the desired results of reducing damages. Also, simple measures and fastening the heavy objects in the house or companies would help to prevent minor injuries. But most importantly, the people in the earthquake are considered lucky to get only minor injuries instead of death toll.

Amanda Tee (1)

Secondary 1 Justice

Bibliography

Websites:

1. http://hraun.vedur.is/ja/skyrslur/June17and21_2000/index.html

2. http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2005/2005JB003701.shtml

3. http://www.vatn.is/media/vedurstofan/utgafa/greinargerdir/2003/03017.pdf

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICEARRAY

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_Iceland

6. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/iceland/seismicity.php