Deck 5a - Tectonics: Amatrice Earthquake

Question 1

What year was the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 1

2016

Question 2

What time did the Amatrice earthquake occur?

Answer 2

3.36am

Question 3

What hazards were caused by the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 3

Ground shaking, landslides

Question 4

What type of plate boundary is Amatrice on and which tectonic plates are involved?

Answer 4

Destructive plate boundary- Adriatic and Eurasian plates

Question 5

Why are the Apennines (in Italy) prone to earthquakes?

(FREQUENCY)

Answer 5

There are two main faults running through Italy (North-South fault and East-West Fault) meaning Italy is being stretched in different directions. The Apennine mountain range is being stretched in a NE-SW direction at a rate of 3mm per year leading to tension building up in the rocks.

Question 6

What magnitude was the Amatrice earthquake and what depth did it occur at?

(MAGNITUDE)

Answer 6

6.2 MMS, shallow focus (5.1km)

Question 7

What was the duration of the Amatrice earthquake?

(DURATION)

Answer 7

1 minute. Followed by 8 days of aftershocks (approximately 2,000) some with a magnitude as high as 5.5. on the MMS.

Question 8

What signs were there before the Amatrice earthquake occured?

(PREDICTABILITY)

Answer 8

2 months of seismic activity prior to the main earthquake.

Question 9

What area did the Amatrice earthquake impact?

(AREAL EXTENT)

Answer 9

Large region of Italy including Umbria, Lazio and Maribe

Question 10

What was the GNI of Italy during the Amatrice earthquake?

(ECONOMIC vulnerability)

Answer 10

$42,490

Question 11

What was the level of technology available in Italy during the Amatrice earthquake?

(ECONOMIC vulnerability)

Answer 11

High levels of seismic monitoring

Question 12

How education were the Italian population about the risks of earthquakes prior to the Amatrice earthquake?

(SOCIO-ECONOMIC vulnerability)

Answer 12

Primary and secondary education were compulsory

Question 13

What was the population structure of Italy before the earthquake?

(SOCIAL vulnerability)

Answer 13

-Ageing population especially in rural areas.
-70% of the population is urban
-High life expectancy (Male- 81 yrs/Female- 85 yrs old)
-Low population density (14/km2)

Question 14

What festival was taking place in Amatrice during the earthquake and how did it impact on vulnerability?

(SOCIAL vulnerability)

Answer 14

15th annual food festival increased the population with visitors that were uneducated about the hazards of earthquakes and unprepared to respond effectively.

Question 15

What is the Italian government view on earthquake management?

(POLTICAL vulnerability)

Answer 15

Strong, stable government with access to resources that are distributed without corruption.

Question 16

What are the economic impacts of the Amatrice earthquakes?

Answer 16

-Up to $11bn damages
-Historic town centre of town destroyed
-Severe impact on tourism
-Destruction of valuable churches and artwork from renaissance periods

Question 17

What are the social/demographic impacts of the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 17

-299 dead
-Over 2,000 homeless and in emergency shelters
-Culture heritage of the town destroyed
-Destruction of valuable churches and artwork from renaissance periods (loss of cultural artwork)

Question 18

What are the environmental impacts of the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 18

-Landslides and avalanches wiped out vast areas of ecosystem
-Water contamination

Question 19

How prepared was Italy for the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 19

-70% of Italy’s buildings did not meet seismic standards
-Seismic activity was monitored before and a search and rescue plan was in place
-Lack of evacuation due to the event happening during the night

Question 20

What was the response (short term) to the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 20

-Search and rescue teams sent out by the Italian Red Cross (over 4,000 people involved)
-Evacuation lead to 15,000 in temporary shelters
-Mobile kitchens set up by the Italian Red Cross in evacuation camps with volunteers provided emotional support to survivors

Question 21

What was the recovery (long term) to the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 21

-Drones and computer models were used to assess damage to churches and historic buildings
-Government appointed special commissioner to oversee re-construction of Amatrice and other mountain villages

Question 22

What was the mitigation after the Amatrice earthquake?

Answer 22

-Casa Italia policy was introduced to ensure that buildings are earthquake proof
-‘Safe Schools’ programme set aside $4bn to help improve safety of school buildings
-Zones set up to highlight the most dangerous areas

Question 23

Why was the response to the Amatrice earthquake criticised?

Answer 23

The rebuild of the housing and town centre was slow. Much of the original town has been left and new buildings have been constructed elsewhere