<P> Earthquake environmental effects are the effects caused by an earthquake on the natural environment, including surface faulting, tsunamis, soil liquefactions, ground resonance, landslides and ground failure, either directly linked to the earthquake source or provoked by the ground shaking . These are common features produced both in their near and far fields, routinely recorded and surveyed in recent events, very often remembered in historical accounts and preserved in the stratigraphic record (paleoearthquakes). Both surface deformation and faulting and shaking - related geological effects (e.g., soil liquefaction, landslides) not only leave permanent imprints in the environment, but also dramatically affect human structures . Moreover, underwater fault ruptures and seismically - triggered landslides can generate destructive tsunami waves . </P> <P> EEEs represent a significant source of hazard, especially (but not exclusively) during large earthquakes . This was observed for example during more or less catastrophic seismic events recently occurred in very different parts of the world . </P>

The effect caused by earthquakes on the environment and economy of south africa