Case study 19: Haiti earthquake

Question 1

When did the Haiti earthquake occur?

Answer 1

16:53, January 12th, 2010.

Question 2

What was the cause to the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 2

Movement along the destructive plate margin between the Caribbean plate and the North Atlantic plate.

Question 3

What was the magnitude of the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 3

7.0 magnitude with aftershocks of 5.0 on the pitcher scale.

Question 4

What were the social impacts of the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 4

20,000 people died.
300,000 injured.
1.3 million homeless.
Spread of diseases - cholera outbreak.

Question 5

What were the economic/infrastructure impacts of the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 5

280,000 buildings collapsed.
Presidential palace (political) + Port-au-prince cathedral (social+economic = tourism) were damaged.

Question 6

What were the responses from other countries to the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 6

Dominican Republic: water, food + heavy lifting machinery. Allowed people to cross the border in order to receive help.
United States: planes with rescue workers, aircraft carrier + 3 amphibious ships with 10,000 troops. + team to restore air traffic control

Question 7

What were the responses from other organizations to the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 7

Red Cross: Convoy of trucks which carried aid, including a 50 bed field hospital.

Question 8

What were the responses from individuals to the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 8

Private donations.

e.g. those encouraged by the UK Disasters Emergency Committee.