Mexico Earthquake 1985

Electricity cables snapped, gas mains burst starting many fires. Water pipes burst so it was impossible for fire fighters to reach enough water. These are impacts on the?

• Landscape

• People

• The Conalep School

• Approximately 1,200

When the 12-storey high Central Hospital collapsed, 1000 patients and staff died, yet 58 new born babies were pulled out alive. This is an impact on the ?

• Landscape

• People

• The Conalep School

• Approximately 1,200

Around 120 students and teachers died and some disappeared in this building. What was the school called?

• The Conalep School

• It is built on a sinking lake bed.

Why is Mexico City so vulnerable to earthquakes?

• Landscape

• People

• The Conalep School

• It is built on a sinking lake bed

Many clothing factories located in the city centre area were badly affected. Approximately how many other workshops and factories were destroyed?

• People

• The Conalep School

• Approximately 1,200

• Cocos plate

The Mexico earthquake happened because the WHICH PLATE is being forced under the North American plate?

• 20 km into the mantle

• Cocos plate

• 6 cm

• Landscape

Where it meets the other plate friction prevents it from moving. How fast should the Cocos plate move per year?

• People

• 20 km into the mantle

• 6 cm

• 8.1

The Earthquake lasted three minutes. What did it register the Richter Scale?

• 8.1

• Cocos plate

• The sediment amplifies (strengthens) the shockwaves

• Push them up and down

Why does the sediment Mexico City is built on make earthquakes more destructive?

• Shake them from side to side

• Push them up and down

• The sediment amplifies (strengthens) the shockwaves

• 8.1

What do P or PRIMARY shockwaves do to buildings?

• Push them up and down

• The sediment amplifies (strengthens) the shockwaves

• Cocos plate

• 6cm