L'Aquila Earthquake - Italy Flashcards
Where and when
Destructive plate margin between the Eurasian and African plates
Runs north-west up the coast of Italy
Earthquakes are common in Italy
April 2009 - 6.3 on Richter Scale
Death toll
300
Injured
1500
Homeless
70,000
Cost
$15 billion
What had been done to the area before the earthquake
Steps had been taken to mitigate the risks through strict building codes which ensure newly built structures were strong and resistant to earthquakes
Social impacts
Many historic buildings were destroyed - some buildings deemed earthquake proof still collapsed
Civilians were rehoused outside the city
Many young people migrated away in search of jobs: led to social decline
Before the earthquake, 30,000 attended the Good Friday procession, this fell to 1,000 in 2016
People are living in fear of a repeat - psychological effects
Economic impacts
Many of the historic buildings held cultural and historic importance and repairs to them cost large amounts of money
Tourists deemed the area unsafe and were scared of going
Italian government plans to invest in educational buildings to make the area economically stronger then before the earthquake
Political impacts
Tension has risen as people feel that scientists and politicians are to blame for the impacts due to inadequate warnings
6 scientists and a government official were put of for trial for man slaughter in 2011, were convicted in 2012 and imprisoned for 7 years
Residents feel that the rebuilding programme has been too slow
Residents wanted to be more involved in the rebuilding processes
How has the community responded to the risk of earthquakes
Some have accepted their new suburban homes and feel safer being further away from the plate margin
Others have taken steps to reduce the risk further: villages have worked with professional builders to create earthquake resistant homes
