Earthquake case study: Sichuan, China, 2008 Flashcards
what was the date of the earthquake?
12th May 2008 (14:28)
how deep was the focus?
10km (very shallow)
what was the magnitude of the earthquake?
7.9 on Richter scale (some after shocks measured 6)
how many years had it been since the last earthquake?
75 years
name the faultline along which the rupturing occured, causing the earthquake
Longmenshan fault
describe the geology of the Sichuan basin
unconsolidated (loose) sediment that amplified the effects of the shaking and were also prone to liquefaction
what was the official death toll?
just over 69,000 but likely around 80,000 including missing and presumed dead)
how many people made homeless?
5 million
how many people died in collapsed school building?
11,000- school wasn’t earthquake prrof
give a couple examples of impact on transport infrastructure
railways destroyed by landslides, nearby airports closed along with several bridges damaged
what public service buildings were destroyed?
schools and hospitals
what caused the release of toxic gas?
2 chemical factories
why was flooding a problem after the earthquake?
rivers were damned by landslides creating ‘quake lakes’
loss of factories, hydro-electric power generation and tourist revenues will be felt for years=
long-term impact for people in this region
the government was rapid in providing emergency response as they sent in troops by foot, on boat and by helicopter
(however hundreds killed due to landslides)
although the emergency response was rapid, what hampered rescue efforts?
mountainous terrain, damaged roads and bridges
did China ask for help to cope with the impacts of the earthquake?
yes (unusually) from foreign govs e.g. Taiwan and Japan and NGOs e.g. Red Cross sent aid
Chinese government promised to crack down on the incompetence of corrupt construction of
schools due to over 10,000 children dying in school building not of a sufficient standard or earthquake proof
when had a seismic building design code been introduced?
1970s but many buildings constructed before this date
why has the town of Beishuan not been rebuilt?
half the population died and 80% of buildings collapsed so it has been left as a memorial for those killed
one can only hope that this earthquake serves as a wake-up call to govs in earthquake-prone areas, especially in mountainous zones so there is a desperate need to
prepare both the people and infrastructure for the day on which on earthquake strikes (earthquake-prone mountainous areas should be questioned regarding suitability on having large settlements as like the Chinese Gov, some may be deemed to dangerous and high-risk for living in)
