Key Earthquake Case Studies Flashcards
Example of an earthquake in a developed country
Christchurch, New Zealand - 2011
Social impacts of Christchurch earthquake (4)
1) 200 dead
2) 100,000 homes damaged, 10,000 required demolition
3) Water and sewage pipes damaged
4) Schools had to close
Economic impacts of Christchurch earthquake (4)
1) $15 billion damages
2) Closure of businesses for months after
3) Rugby World Cup matches cancelled
4) Tourism plummeted by 40%
Environmental impacts of Christchurch earthquake (1)
1) Soil liquefaction reported across large parts of city
Example of an earthquake in a developing country
Gorka District, Nepal - 2015
Social impacts of Gorka district earthquake (4)
1) 10,000 dead (mountainous landscape increased fatalities as rescuers struggled to access areas)
2) 20,000 injured
3) 3 million made homeless -> entire villages destroyed
4) Electricity and water supplies cut off
Economic impacts of Gorka district earthquake (4)
1) $5 billion damages
2) Widespread loss of crops
3) Reduction of tourism
4) 50% of shops destroyed
Environmental impacts of Gorka district earthquake (2)
1) Landslides due to the mountainous landscape of the country
2) Avalanches eg. Everest base camp killed 20 people
Example of an earthquake in an emerging country
Sichuan, China - 2008
Social impacts of Sichuan earthquake (5)
1) 70,000 deaths
2) 20,000 people still missing 2 months after disaster
3) 400,000 people injured
4) 5 million people made homeless
5) Many schools destroyed
Economic impacts of Sichuan earthquake (2)
1) $150 billion damages
2) World prices of fossil fuels fell as they feared demand from China would fall
Environmental impacts of Sichuan earthquake (3)
1) Landslides blocked rivers
2) Dams received damage leading to flooding in some regions
3) 2 chemical plants collapsed which led to large liquid ammonia leakages
