Hazardous setting: Case study

Question 1

What is the case study for hazardous settings?

Answer 1

Central Italy

Question 2

Why is central Italy so prone to earthquakes?

Answer 2

Destructive plate margin between Eurasian and African plates. Fault lines run north to south.

Question 3

Give an example of earthquakes in central Italy.

Answer 3

6.3 magnitude earthquake struck L’Aquila in 2009.

Question 4

Describe the background info of L’Aquila.

Answer 4

Hasn’t suffered a major earthquake in 300 years. Risks were known and there were strict building regulations to ensure newer buildings were safe.
Many many buildings are old so were damaged or destroyed.

Question 5

What were the social impacts of the L’Aquila earthquake?

Answer 5

-Historic buildings destroyed.
-Attendance at social and religious activities declined.
-Residents suffer from mental illnesses and fear earthquakes.

Question 6

What were the economic impacts of the L’Aquila earthquake?

Answer 6

-University building damaged making it unusable. Population of students and young people declined.
+Italian government plans to reconstruct the area to be economically stronger.

Question 7

What were the political impacts of the L’Aquila earthquake?

Answer 7

-Officials blamed for not giving adequate warning of earthquake risk leading to tension.
-Government blamed for not rebuilding L’Aquila quickly so residents feel a lack of support.

Question 8

How did the community respond to the L’Aquila earthquake?

Answer 8

-Moved to new towns to reduce risk.
-Some worked with builders to create new earthquake-resistant homes using wood and straw with solar panels.