earthquakes and tsunamis Flashcards
What are the causes of earthquakes?
The magma is heated by the core and rises. The plates move with the magma and when they meet, earthquakes are caused. For tsunamis, when underwater earthquakes occur, the water is displaced and splits into two waves; one going seaward and the other towards land.
What is the difference between primary and secondary impacts?
Primary impacts happen as a result of the earthquake itself, while secondary impacts happen because of the primary impacts.
How have earthquakes been managed in Japan?
Earthquake resistant infrastructure and warning systems.
How have earthquakes been managed in Haiti?
Infrastructure and building codes; outdated however.
Why were responses different in Japan and Haiti?
Japan had proper infrastructure and warning systems while Haiti was corrupt and poor, as well as the fact that Haiti was an emerging country while Japan was a developed one.
Date and location of the Japan earthquake.
- 11th March 2011
- Epicentre: Pacific Ocean
- Tohoku Region
Date and location of the Haiti earthquake.
- 12th January 2010
- Epicentre: ~25km from Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital
Japan earthquake: 3 primary impacts
- Killed at least 20,000 people.
- More than 1,000 buildings were severely damaged.
- Mass flooding caused severe erosion and saltwater soil contamination.
Haiti earthquake: 3 primary impacts
- 316,000 people killed.
- 280,000 buildings destroyed/severely damaged.
- The main prison was destroyed and 4,000 inmates escaped.
Japan earthquake: 3 secondary impacts
- 500,000 people displaced.
- 1.2 million buildings severely damaged.
- Long term marine pollution from radioactive materials from fukushima power plant.
Haiti earthquake: 3 secondary impacts
- 1 in 5 people lost their jobs
- Hospitals and morgues filled with bodies, so they were piled up on the streets.
- Diseases spread due to large amount of bodies everywhere.
