Liquefaction causes soil to lose it's ability to support loads (technically described as a loss of bearing capacity) which can cause subsidence of building foundations.
It can also cause differential subsidence where one part of the ground subsided more than another. When this occurs (especially under buildings) it can cause even more structural damage than uniformly distributed subsidence and also lead to the fracture of underground services such as water and gas mains.
This in turn can lead to a greatly increased risk of fire and explosion and also can hamper the efforts to fight fire due to the damage to water mains.
For more information on liquefaction, please see the related question/
Christchurch was a very beautiful place until the earthquake happened, and nature stuck a course. The Liquefaction side of it is a liquid that comes from the ground and the easiest way of saying it; it pops up and says hello. Christchurch had so much damage from the quake people found everything destroyed, but also finding out that liquefaction will destroy it even more. must have been heart braking. Young kids were scared from the most hit places round Christchurch, is a good website to learn more on liquefaction :)
because
During the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, liquefaction caused significant damage to infrastructure and buildings. The ground became saturated with water, leading to the soil losing its strength and stability, which resulted in widespread subsidence and lateral spreading. This phenomenon damaged roads, foundations, and utilities, contributing to the destruction of homes and public facilities. Overall, liquefaction exacerbated the earthquake's impact, complicating recovery efforts and increasing repair costs.
Liquefaction can cause subsidence of buildings and other structures which can lead to structural damage or even collapse. It can also cause differential subsidence where one part of the ground subsided more than another. When this occurs (especially under buildings) it can cause even more structural damage than uniformly distributed subsidence and also lead to the fracture of underground services such as water and gas mains. This can lead to a greatly increased risk of fire and explosion and also can hamper the efforts to fight fire due to the damage to water mains.
Aftershocks, landslides, liquefaction, and tsunamis can all cause damage in the days or months following a large earthquake. Buildings weakened by the initial earthquake may collapse due to aftershocks, while unstable terrain can lead to landslides. Liquefaction can cause the ground to become soft and unstable, and tsunamis can result from undersea earthquakes, posing a threat to coastal areas even after the initial seismic event.
to reduce earthquake damage, new buildings must be made stronger and more flexible. older buildings however must be modified to withstand stronger earthquakes
Liquefaction occurs when saturated soil loses its strength and behaves like a liquid during an earthquake, causing buildings and infrastructure to sink or tilt. This can lead to buildings collapsing or tilting, pipelines breaking, and roads becoming impassable, resulting in significant damage and destruction.
Christchurch was a very beautiful place until the earthquake happened, and nature stuck a course. The Liquefaction side of it is a liquid that comes from the ground and the easiest way of saying it; it pops up and says hello. Christchurch had so much damage from the quake people found everything destroyed, but also finding out that liquefaction will destroy it even more. must have been heart braking. Young kids were scared from the most hit places round Christchurch, is a good website to learn more on liquefaction :)
During an earthquake, liquefaction can occur when saturated soil loses its strength and stiffness, behaving like a liquid. This can cause buildings and infrastructure to sink, tilt, or collapse as the ground loses its ability to support them. Liquefaction can also lead to landslides and other ground failures, increasing the risk of damage to structures and utilities during an earthquake.
because
to reduce earthquake damage, new buildings must be made stronger and more flexible. older buildings however must be modified to withstand stronger earthquakes
Earthquake hazards include ground shaking, ground rupture, landslides, liquefaction, tsunamis, and aftershocks. These can result in damage to buildings, infrastructure, and loss of life. It is important to be aware of and prepared for these hazards in earthquake-prone areas.
Loose, saturated soil turns into liquid that can't support buildings
Liquefaction in Christchurch occurred due to the city's geology, which consists of loosely packed soils and sands. When the ground shook during the earthquakes, water trapped in the soil forced it to behave like a liquid, causing the ground to swell and buildings to sink or tilt. This led to widespread damage in areas with such soil conditions.
Liquefaction can cause subsidence of buildings and other structures which can lead to structural damage or even collapse. It can also cause differential subsidence where one part of the ground subsided more than another. When this occurs (especially under buildings) it can cause even more structural damage than uniformly distributed subsidence and also lead to the fracture of underground services such as water and gas mains. This can lead to a greatly increased risk of fire and explosion and also can hamper the efforts to fight fire due to the damage to water mains.
Earthquakes can cause damage to buildings by shaking the ground, leading to structural failure, collapsing walls, and breaking windows. Ground shaking can also cause non-structural damage such as cracks in walls, ceilings, and foundations. Additionally, earthquakes can trigger landslides or liquefaction, further compromising building stability.
Aftershocks, landslides, liquefaction, and tsunamis can all cause damage in the days or months following a large earthquake. Buildings weakened by the initial earthquake may collapse due to aftershocks, while unstable terrain can lead to landslides. Liquefaction can cause the ground to become soft and unstable, and tsunamis can result from undersea earthquakes, posing a threat to coastal areas even after the initial seismic event.