Sichuan 2008

Question 1

Key statistics of Sichuan 2008 earthquake

Answer 1

Magnitude: 7.9
Deaths: ~90,000
Economic cost: $125 Billion

Question 2

What were the impacts of the Sichuan 2008 earthquake?

Answer 2

• Homelessness following this event dwarfed any other event; most amount of displaced people from a tectonic event.
• 5 Million homeless
• 6 Million homes destroyed
• Second most expensive disaster (most at the time)

Question 3

What made Sichuan so vulnerable?

Answer 3

• One of the most densely populated parts of the planet.
• Rapid urbanisation in the previous 20 years meant buildings were not to a good standard and were close together.
• Afternoon so lots were inside with work or school.
• A new hydroelectric dam built 5km away holding a huge weight of water could have affected the sensitive tectonic area.

Question 4

How did the Chinese government respond to the Sichuan disaster?

Answer 4

Improved building codes to prevent destruction in the future (none of the buildings in that area have collapsed since)