Managing the effects of hazards Flashcards
Vulnerabilites of China 2008 7.9 Magnitude Earthquake
-Over 45.5 million people were affected in 10 provinces and regions.
-5 million of whom were homeless
-Corruption of local government and law officials meant that unsafe practices still occurred. For example in newly build city of Vongchang , almost immediately cracks appeared in homes.
-People were endangered by landslides
-Isolated and mountainous area
Resistance of China
Within hours over 130,000 soldiers + relief workers were sent to affected areas. Troops hiked and parachuted.
-Gov pledged over uS$10billion for rebuilding works and banks wrote off debts of survivors without insurance.
-within 2 weeks temporary homes, roads and bridges were being built
-A total of 216 transport projects were under construction or had been constructed.
-97% of planed 29704 reconstruction projects in the region had started
Vulnerabilities of Japan after 2011 9.0 magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami
-Lies of Pacific Ring of Fire (most seismically active region in the world)
-Highly/densely populated cities e.g Tokyo
-High Coastal Exposure - over 127 million people live on or near coastal regions
Resillience of Tokyo
-Well developed disaster plans.
-Offices/homes well equipped with emergency earthquake kits
-Education and
preparedness - Emergency drills.
-Early warning system detected the earthquake on minute in advance.
-Areas vulnerable to tsunamis had 10meter high sea walls
-strict building regulations. 75% built with earthquakes in mind
-Within 24 hours over 110,000 defence troops had been mobilised.
-Bank of Japan offered US$183 billion to Japanese banks so they could keep operating, protecting the country’s economy.
-Immediately after the earthquake, all press/news turned to Earthquake coverage.
