L'Aquila Earthquake

Question 1

Give 4 pieces of background info

Answer 1

1. The earthwuake’s epicentre was seven kilometers northwest of L’Aquila
2. The Earthquake struck at 3:32 am so most people were asleep
3. L’Aquila was declared a state of emergency which sped up international aid
4. Happened on 6 April 2008 and measured 6.3 on the Richter scale

Question 2

Give 6 short term responses

Answer 2

1. 7 dog units, 36 ambulances and a temporary hospital were set up
2. The British Red Cross raised £171,000, handing out water, hot meals and blankets
3. Hotels provided shelter for 10,000 people and 40,000 tents were handed out
4. Within an hour the Italian Red Cross were searching for survivors
5. The DEC did not provide help as Italy is a HIC
6. Some train carriages were used as shelter and the president offered out some of his homes.

Question 3

Give 7 Secondary effects

Answer 3

1. A landslide and a mudflow bursted a main water supply
2. Aftershocks triggered landslides and rockfalls causing damage to housing and transport
3. Homes took several years to rebuild and historic centres could take up to 15 years
4. Much of the city’s central business district was cordoned off reducing business and income
5. The number of students attending the Uni decreased because of building loss
6. The cost of repairs to L’Aquila and the damage to the economy was around 4 billion euros
7. A lack of housing meant rent and house prices increased

Question 4

Give 4 long term responses

Answer 4

1. Students were given free public transport and were exempt from uni fees for 3 years
2. Mortgages and bills were suspended
3. The EU granted $552 milion from its disaster fund
4. Students were not charged taxes in 2010

Question 5

Give 4 primary effects

Answer 5

1. 308 people killed, 1,500 injured and 67,500 homeless
2. Several buildings in the university were destroyed
3. Around 10-15,000 buildings collapsed
4. Many churches and historical buildings were destroyed