“Hong Kong is a safe place to live as it is free from tectonic hazard.” Do you agree this

statement?

Group 3

Jovita Chan F.4A

Gody Chung F.4A

Natalie Cheng F.4D

Our Answer

• To a certain extent, Hong Kong is a save place as it is free from tectonic hazards.

• But, Hong Kong may suffer from other hazards like typhoons.

• Further explanations are as follow:

What are tectonic hazards?• Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis are

known as tectonic hazards. • A hazard is an event that threatens or caused

destruction to human lives and property. Hazards caused by nature are natural hazards.

tsunami

Volcanic eruptionsearthquakes

The distribution of tectonic hazards( earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis)

Earthquake was recorded by the Hong Kong Observatory in November and December

• yyyy/mm/dd    hh:mm2009/12/10    06:102009/12/03    05:002009/11/30    04:372009/11/29    02:422009/11/28    14:382009/11/28    00:402009/11/24    21:312009/11/13    12:002009/11/11    22:252009/11/10    11:102009/11/09    19:212009/11/09    04:052009/11/05    20:252009/11/05    18:012009/11/05    06:482009/11/02    19:40

• An earthquake was recorded by the Hong Kong Observatory at 5:35 a.m. 10 December 2009).

• The epicentre was in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia (2.7N, 96.0E),.

• The magnitude was estimated to be 5.9 on the Richter Scale.

Sea level records of five very minor tsunamis detected in Hong Kong

Date Origin Moment magnitude Mw

Maximum sea level change

recorded in Hong Kong

5/11/1952 Kamchatka 9.0 0.15 m

23/5/1960 Chile 9.5 0.3 m

4/3/1985 Chile 7.9 less than 0.1 m

24/6/1988 Luzon Strait 5.7 0.3 m

26/12/2006 Over the sea near Southern Taiwan

7.1 less than 0.1 m

According to the above evidence, there is damage made by the tsunamis in those places.

Chance of a Significant Tectonic Hazard in Hong Kong• Earthquakes

• Most earthquakes along the boundaries of crustal plates.

• Hong Kong lies within the Eurasian Plate and is located far away from boundaries(600km).

• The chance of a major local tremor is very small.

Tsunamis• the Philippines Islands and Taiwan acting as an almost

complete breakwater for such tsunamis in the Pacific.• Hong Kong is blocked by Taiwan.• Hong Kong Observatory monitors warning messages

issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC)

Volcanic Eruptions• There is no volcano in Hong Kong therefore volcanic

eruption won’t occur.

What precaution does Hong Kong have to do to face tectonic hazards?

tectonic hazards

precautions

earthquakes ensure the buildings are earthquake-proofwell-trained and well-equipped rescue teamsInsuranceEducationgive out information of hazard through mass media efficiently

tsunamis Pacific Tsunami Warning SystemWell-trained and well-equipped rescue teamsInsuranceEducationGive our information of hazard through mass media efficiently

According to a piece of news:• Existing regulations stipulate that high-rises only

need to be able to withstand 250 kilometer-per-hour typhoon- powered wind gusts.

• the initial findings of the study, which has been ongoing for more than a year, indicate most buildings would withstand tremors due to their typhoon-resistant design.

• All major infrastructures such as fire stations, the MTR Corp and hospitals are already designed for earthquakes

Will you continue to live in Hong Kong after checking the history of tectonic hazards in Hong

Kong?yes • Hong Kong is not located along any plate boundary→ Therefore the chance of having very destructive hazards is very low→ there are no serious hazards so far in Hong Kong

• typhoon is not as disastrous as other hazards• the losses made by typhoon can be avoided• our government is efficient enough to inform us the information of hazards • For typhoon Report the change of typhoon signals immediately to the public Build more trees on the hills to minimize the chance of landslides

• the government have done something to minimize the losses made by earthquakes(All buildings are required to withstand dynamic motion caused by wind gusts of 250 km/hr. Even in an earthquake of MMS magnitude 7.0, little damage would occur to high rise building. Infrastructure including bridges, railways, tunnels and subways have been designed to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 7.0. Reservoirs have also been designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 8.0.)

• Hong Kong has an easy warning system which lets you know what intensity of storm is coming your way. The warning system is posted on all TV Stations (look for the box in the top right hand corner), and most buildings will also have signs with the warnings on.

• strong family ties and miss our relatives and friends

The EndThank You!