Chile 2010 - HEDC Earthquake

Question 1

Where is Chile located?

Answer 1

Chile is located in the continent of South America. The earthquake occurred on the coast of Chile and was felt strongly in 6 Chilean regions from Valparaiso in the north to Araucana in the south

Question 2

When did the Chile earthquake occur and what was its magnitude?

Answer 2

It occurred on the 27th February 2010 and had a magnitude of 8.8 on the Richter scale

Question 3

What was the cause of the earthquake?

Answer 3

It was caused by the subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American plate. This resulted in high stress being built up beneath Chile so when the rocks in the Earth was overcome with stress, pressure was released at the focus and caused huge tectonic movements which started the earthquake

Question 4

What were the environmental impacts of this earthquake?

Answer 4

• Devastated some coastal areas which ruined livelihoods of those that depended on marine resources like fishermen
• Contamination of water which was very unhealthy for people and animals
• Reclaimed wood from destroyed houses was used for fuel but created a fire hazard

Question 5

What were the economic impacts of this earthquake?

Answer 5

• Estimated $40 billion cost in damages and losses which included the money the government used to repair and rebuild 500,000 homes affected by the earthquake
• 1 million people affected by the earthquake so coast country a lot of money to meet their needs after the earthquake

Question 6

What were the social impacts of this earthquake?

Answer 6

• 500 deaths
• 2 million people made homeless
• 3,700 schools, 17 hospitals and 212 bridges were destroyed

Question 7

What were the political impacts of this earthquake?

Answer 7

• The president of Chile at the time (Michelle Bachelet) acknowledged in public she made a mistake by not providing the people of Chile with more timely information about the earthquake and resulting tsunami

Question 8

What were the short term responses of this earthquake?

Answer 8

• World Food Programme (WFP) provided 120 Mt of biscuits to people in Chile
• People who were trapped in rubble and debris were airlifted out and transported to nearby hospitals
• Rations were provides for 45,000 people
• The Emop allowed staff and workers to be quickly deployed to support emergency efforts

Question 9

What were the long term responses of this earthquake?

Answer 9

• Chile had to ask other countries for loans so they could pay for all of the rebuilding of infrastructure, water and sewage pipes etc
• Chile aimed to finish rebuilding and repairing 5 years after the disaster but only took them 4 years with the help of the loans