L'Aquila Case Study

Question 1

where is L’Aquila and what is its population

Answer 1

• central Italy, north east of rome and north of naples

- 70,000 people

Question 2

why is the area prone to earthquakes

Answer 2

a major fault line that runs north-south along the Apennine mountain range and and east-west fault line across the centre of Italy

Question 3

when and what time did the L’Aquila earthquake occur

Answer 3

6th April 2009

3:32am

Question 4

what did the earthquake measure on the Richter scale

Answer 4

6.3

Question 5

how long did the earthquake last

Answer 5

a few seconds but felt throughout central italy

Question 6

how deep was the focus and where was the epicentre

Answer 6

• depth of 5 miles

- epicentre was close to L’Aquila

Question 7

what caused the earthquake

Answer 7

movement along the north-south fault line

Question 8

what did some of the aftershocks in the following days measure on the richter scale

Answer 8

5

Question 9

what were the economic impacts of the L’Aquila earthquake

Answer 9

• estimated it cost Italy $15 billion
• 1000s of buildings (modern and old) were damaged of destroyed - part of city hospital, dorm of the university and L’Aquila university
• a bridge near the town of Fossa collapsed and a water pipe broke near the town of Paganica
• fires in some collapsed buildings caused more damage

Question 10

what were the social impacts of the L’Aquila earthquake

Answer 10

• around 300 deaths, mainly caused by collapsed buildings
• 1500 people injured
• 70,000 people made homeless
• aftershocks hampered rescue efforts and caused more damage
• 1000s people, many young, had to move away from area to other parts to find jobs after buildings were destroyed

Question 11

what were the environmental impacts

Answer 11

• area of about 1000 km2 was affected by surface ruptures (cracks in ground), rockfalls, landslides
• broken water pipe near the town of Paganica also caused a landslide
• wildlife habitats were affected by the earthquake

Question 12

what were the short term responses following the earthquake

Answer 12

• camps were set up for homeless people with water, food and medical care
• ambulances, fire engines and the army were sent in to rescue survivors
• cranes and diggers were used to remove rubble
• international teams with rescue dogs were sent in to look for survivors
• 12,000 rescue and support workers were brought in to help with the response

Question 13

what were the long term responses following the earthquake

Answer 13

• money was provided by the government to pay rent. Mortgage payments, and gas and electricty bills were suspended
• Italian Prime Minister promised to build a new town to replace L’Aquila as the capital of the area
• by end of 2009, 4500 new buildings had been put up to house 12,000 people were made homeless

Question 14

what were the ‘building technique’ management schemes that were put in place prior to the earthquake

Answer 14

-due to risks, there were strict building regulations to ensure newer buildings were designed and built to withstand earthquakes
BUT some of the newer buildings that should’ve met regulations were poorly built, so were severely damaged or destroyed

Question 15

what was the ‘prediction’ management scheme put in place prior to the earthquake

Answer 15

seismologists were monitoring area prior to event - some people felt that the earthquake hazard could’ve been managed better - in 2009, there were complaints that 6 seismologists didn’t predict the earthquake - blamed scientists for number of people killed

Question 16

what was the ‘planning’ management scheme in place prior to the earthquake

Answer 16

italy has a Civil Protection Department that trains volunteers to help with things like rescue operations.