Certainly! Here are two ways in which earthquakes could be more destructive than tsunamis:
a. Direct Impact on Infrastructure and Buildings: Earthquakes can cause significant damage to buildings, bridges, and roads due to ground shaking. The immediate effects can lead to collapse, fires from gas lines, and infrastructure failures that hinder rescue efforts. For example, the 1994 Northridge earthquake in California caused extensive damage, resulting in over $44 billion in costs primarily due to the destruction of buildings and infrastructure.
b. Widespread Secondary Hazards: Earthquakes can trigger a variety of secondary hazards that can lead to destruction over a larger area. These include landslides, liquefaction, and aftershocks, which can further damage already weakened structures. For instance, the 2010 Haiti earthquake resulted not only in an estimated 230,000 deaths but also triggered landslides that affected entire neighborhoods, exacerbating the disaster's impact beyond the initial quake itself.