---
title: "Effects of earthquake"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:effects-of-earthquake"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/effects-of-earthquake
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Effects of earthquake

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 2: Basic Reviews of the Earth

- Asked in: 2059 Chaitra (old course), 3 marks
- Video: [The Three Surprising  Effects of Earthquakes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_4E2D2jAWE) — 5 Minute Geography
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/effects-of-earthquake
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-2

## Question

List out the effects of earthquake.

## Short answer

Main effects: ground shaking, surface rupture, building and lifeline collapse, landslides, liquefaction of saturated soils, settlement, tsunamis, seiches, fires, floods, epidemics, economic loss, and changes in groundwater and river courses.

## Answer

Effects of an earthquake:

1. **Ground shaking**, causing vibration and damage to structures.
2. **Surface rupture, cracks and fissures**, and fault displacement.
3. **Collapse of buildings, bridges, dams and lifelines** (roads, pipes, power lines), leading to loss of life and injury.
4. **Landslides, rockfall and avalanches** on steep hill slopes.
5. **Liquefaction**: saturated sand loses strength, causing settlement, tilting and sand boils.
6. **Ground subsidence and uplift**, change of river courses and groundwater levels.
7. **Tsunamis** along coasts and **seiches** in lakes and reservoirs.
8. **Fires and floods**, from broken gas lines and failed dams.
9. **Epidemics, economic loss** and social disruption.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which effect of earthquakes occurs on steep hill slopes?
   A. Tsunamis
   B. Seiches
   C. Liquefaction
   D. Landslides, rockfall and avalanches
   Answer: D. Shaking destabilises steep slopes in hills. (Key point: Effects on slopes)

2. Which pair is a water-related effect of earthquakes?
   A. Sand boils and rockfall
   B. Tsunamis along coasts and seiches in lakes and reservoirs
   C. Epidemics and economic loss
   D. Fault displacement and cracks
   Answer: B. Tsunamis affect coasts and seiches affect enclosed water bodies. (Key point: Water-related effects)

3. What happens in liquefaction?
   A. Clay hardens and cracks
   B. Rock melts to magma
   C. Saturated sand loses strength, causing settlement, tilting and sand boils
   D. Groundwater is permanently removed
   Answer: C. Saturated sand behaves like a liquid when shaken. (Key point: Liquefaction)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Earthquake occurrence, terminology, causes, effects](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aearthquake-occurrence-terminology-causes-effects) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Effects of earthquake in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Aearthquake-effects-nepal) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [Causes and crack patterns of out-of-plane failure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Aout-of-plane-failure-causes) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 9
- [Inflation, effects, inflation-free rate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fengineering_economics%3Adefine-inflation-effects-implied-rate) — Engineering Economics, chapter 8