As a geologist with expertise in seismology, I can identify several causes of damage during or after an earthquake. Here are the five primary causes: 1. Ground Shaking: The most immediate and widespread effect of an earthquake is the shaking of the ground. This can cause buildings and infrastructure to collapse, leading to significant damage and loss of life. 2. Surface Rupture: If an earthquake occurs along a fault line, the ground may actually break apart, causing direct damage to anything above the fault, including roads, railways, and buildings. 3. Landslides, Mudslides, and Avalanches: As mentioned in the reference, the shaking can also trigger landslides, mudslides, and avalanches in steeper terrains. These can be extremely destructive, burying or sweeping away structures and potentially causing loss of life. 4. Tsunamis: Large underwater earthquakes can displace massive amounts of water, leading to tsunamis. These waves can travel vast distances across the ocean and cause widespread damage when they reach the shore. 5. Liquefaction and Lateral Spreading: In areas with water-saturated soil, the shaking can cause the soil to behave like a liquid, a phenomenon known as liquefaction. This can lead to buildings and structures sinking or tilting. Lateral spreading can also occur, particularly in hilly areas, where the ground can spread out horizontally, damaging structures. read more >>

The ground shaking may also cause landslides, mudslides, and avalanches on steeper hills or mountains, all of which can damage buildings and hurt people. The second main earthquake hazard is ground displacement (ground movement) along a fault. ... The tsunami was triggered by the Good Friday earthquake.read more >>