Loss of Property:Severe earthquakes reduce to rubble human structures ranging from huts to palaces and single storey to multi storey buildings.Even pipelines laid under the ground and railway lines are damaged or displaced.The best example of this type of damage is Koyana earthquake in 1970.
Loss of Life:Earthquake tremors of a few seconds takes the lives of thousands of people.Many people have been rendered homeless or suffered injuries in various ways.
Changes in the course of rivers:On account of the impact of earthquakes,sometimes rivers also change their course.Consequently ,when floods come they play havoc with people's lives.
Tsunamis:The earthquakes in the sea generate massive waves called Tsunami in Japanese language.It sometimes rises to the height of 20-25 metres.It causes great damage to life and property of people living in coastal areas as well as to tourists.Tsunami caused by an earthquake in the sea near Sumatra on 26th Dec,2004 hit south east Asian countries including India and Sri Lanka.There was heavy damage in these countries.More than 3 lakh people died.
Mud Fountains:On account of earthquakes of high intensity,warm water and mud fountains also burst.
Cracks in Earth Crust:Earthquake cause cracks in earth's crust anywhere in fields,roads,parks and even hills.They are thus rendered useless.The San Andreas fault in California ,U.S.A. was created in a similar manner.