Chile earthquake

Question 1

important facts

Answer 1

• its a HIC
• happened in February 2010
• 8th on the Richter scale
• destructive nazca plate subjected beneath South American plate

Question 2

primary effects

Answer 2

• around 500 people killed
• 800,000 people affected
• much of Chile lost power, water supplies

Question 3

secondary effects

Answer 3

• 1500 km of the roads damaged -> mainly by landslides
• several coastal towns devastated by tsunami waves
• a fire at a chemical plant near Santiago -> the area had to be evacuated

Question 4

immediate responses

Answer 4

• emergency services acted swiftly
• power and water restored to 90% of homes within 10 days
• temporary repairs made to the north-south highway within 24 hours

Question 5

long-term responses

Answer 5

• a moth after the earthquake the government launched a housing reconstruction plan to help nearly 200,000 households
• the president said it could take 4 years for Chile to recover fully from the damage to buildings and ports