How does building dams cause earthquake?

This dam induced the earthquake due to the enormous pressure of the water, causing the shifting of the underlying earth leading to increased seismicity. Tremors continued to be felt in the region from time to time. Nineteen earthquakes measuring M 5 and more had occurred till 2005.

Are dams earthquake proof?

(b) Virtually any well-built dam on a firm foundation can withstand moderate earth- quake shaking, say with peak accelerations of about 0.2g with no detrimental effects.

What is the causes and effects of earthquake?

Earthquakes are caused by sudden tectonic movements in the Earth’s crust. The main cause is that when tectonic plates, one rides over the other, causing orogeny collide (mountain building), earthquakes. The largest fault surfaces on Earth are formed due to boundaries between moving plates.

How do dams affect earthquakes?

When the pressure of the water in the rocks increases, it acts to lubricate faults which are already under tectonic strain, but are prevented from slipping by the friction of the rock surfaces.” Given that every dam site has unique geological characteristics, it is not possible to accurately predict when and where earthquakes will occur.

What are the risks of dam construction?

1 Dams are often built in active earthquake areas 2 Reservoirs can trigger earthquakes 3 Some water supply structures are susceptible to earthquake motion. Embankments and outlet towers respond to earthquake vibrations. 4 The consequence of a dam or water supply failure is high.

How do new reservoirs cause earthquakes?

New reservoirs could cause earthquakes due to the change in stress because of the weight of water, or by increased groundwater pore pressure that decreases the effective strength of the rock under the reservoir. The energy which is released is nothing but a normal tectonic strain energy that has been prematurely released because of the reservoir.

Why do dams have fissures?

The dams themselves, as structures, do not. It is the increase in water behind the dam, pressing down on the crust. This causes pressure in the fissures and micro- racks under the reservoir and in the nearby surroundings. As the pressure of all this extra water increases, it acts like a lubricant on rocks…