Contrasting Case Studies Earthquakes Flashcards
What date did the Haiti earthquake occur?
January 12, 2010
The earthquake in Haiti was a significant geophysical event.
What was the magnitude of the Haiti earthquake?
7.0 on the Richter scale
This magnitude indicates a major earthquake.
What was the depth of the Haiti earthquake?
Approximately 13 km
This depth classifies it as a shallow focus earthquake.
Where was the epicenter of the Haiti earthquake located?
Near Léogâne, about 25 km west of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital of Haiti.
What tectonic setting caused the Haiti earthquake?
Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone
This is a strike-slip fault accommodating the motion between the Caribbean and North American Plates.
What secondary hazards were triggered by the Haiti earthquake?
Landslides and building collapses
There were also concerns about potential tsunamis.
How many people were estimated to have died due to the Haiti earthquake?
230,000 to 316,000 people
The exact number is uncertain due to chaotic conditions.
How many people were displaced by the Haiti earthquake?
More than 1.5 million people
Many were forced to live in temporary camps.
What major health crisis unfolded in Haiti after the earthquake?
A cholera outbreak
This was exacerbated by unsanitary conditions.
What was the estimated economic loss from the Haiti earthquake?
$7.8 billion
This was equivalent to 120% of Haiti’s GDP at the time.
What social impact did the Haiti earthquake have?
Long-term social instability
Many children were orphaned, leading to increased human trafficking.
What were the main vulnerability factors in Haiti during the earthquake?
Poor infrastructure, weak governance, limited disaster preparedness
Many buildings lacked seismic standards.
What was the date of the Japan earthquake?
March 11, 2011
This earthquake occurred shortly after the start of the new decade.
What was the magnitude of the Japan earthquake?
9.0 on the Richter scale
This makes it one of the largest recorded earthquakes.
What was the depth of the Japan earthquake?
Approximately 29 km
This depth is considered moderate for large earthquakes.
Where was the epicenter of the Japan earthquake located?
Off the coast of Tōhoku, about 70 km east of the Oshika Peninsula
This region was severely affected by the tsunami.
What tectonic setting caused the Japan earthquake?
Subduction zone where the Pacific Plate is being forced beneath the North American Plate
This type of boundary is prone to megathrust earthquakes.
What secondary hazard resulted from the Japan earthquake?
A massive tsunami
Waves reached heights of up to 40 meters.
How many deaths did the Japan earthquake and tsunami cause?
Approximately 15,897 deaths
The tsunami was responsible for the majority of these casualties.
How many people were evacuated in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami?
Over 470,000 people
Many faced prolonged displacement due to radioactive contamination.
What long-term health impacts arose from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan?
Radiation exposure, psychological trauma, increased rates of suicide
These issues affected displaced individuals significantly.
What was the estimated economic loss from the Japan earthquake and tsunami?
$235 billion
This makes it the costliest natural disaster in history.
What social impacts did the Japan earthquake and tsunami have?
Breakdown of communities, loss of cultural heritage, long-term mental health issues
Distrust in the government and nuclear industry also increased.
What vulnerability factors existed in Japan during the earthquake?
Proximity to the epicenter, low elevation of coastal areas
Despite advanced disaster preparedness, these factors increased risk.
What was the level of public awareness and preparedness for earthquakes in Japan?
High level of public awareness and preparedness
This includes regular drills and early warning systems.
What was a criticism of Japan’s response to the nuclear disaster?
Slow and inadequate evacuation and management of radioactive contamination
This highlighted gaps in disaster preparedness for compound disasters.
What was the socio-economic context of Haiti during the earthquake?
Extreme poverty, poor infrastructure, lack of governance
This exacerbated the earthquake’s impacts significantly.
What characterized Japan’s socio-economic context during the earthquake?
Advanced economy, strong governance, robust infrastructure
However, vulnerabilities in coastal areas were revealed.
What type of disaster risk reduction strategies are needed according to the case studies?
Tailored strategies that account for local vulnerabilities and preparedness levels
These strategies must consider the specific nature of geophysical hazards.
