What is the difference between primary and secondary effects of an earthquake?

Primary effects occur immediately, as a result of the earthquake itself. Example of primary effects include buildings and bridges collapsing and death and injury to people. Secondary effects can occur from hours to days after the initial earthquake. Secondary effects include tsunamis and disease due to lack of medical facilities.

Answered by Geography tutor

41282 Views

See similar Geography GCSE tutors

Related Geography GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are the characteristics of oceanic crust?


Discuss the impact of an urban transport sustainability scheme you have studied.


Outline the positive and negative effects of urban sprawl?


Explain the causes of cliff collapse


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning