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6 Earthquake Damage Mechanisms

Ways Earthquakes can Damage Structures 

1. by inertial forces generated by severe ground shaking.
2. by earthquake induced fires.
3. by changes in the physical properties of the foundation soils (e.g. consolidation, settling, and liquefaction).
4. by direct fault displacement at the site of a structure.
5. by landslides, or other surficial movements.
6. by seismically induced water waves such as seismic sea waves (tsunamis) or fluid motions in reservoirs and lakes (seiches).
7. by large-scale tectonic changes in ground elevation.