Tectonic Hazard Case Studies Flashcards
Tectonic Hazard 1: Haiti, 2010 background(LIC)
On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. The earthquake occurred on a destructive plate margin between the Caribbean and North American plates. The focus was only 12.87 km deep and the epicentre was just 25.75 km from the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Primary Effects of Haiti Earthquake
- 220,000 people were killed
- 300,000 people were injured
- The main port was badly damaged
- Eight hospitals collapsed
- 100,000 houses destroyed
- 200,000 houses damaged
- 1.3 million people became homeless
Secondary Effects of Haiti Earthquake
- 2 million people left without food and water
- Frequent power cuts occurred
- Crime increased - looting became a problem and sexual violence escalated
- People moved into temporary Shelters
- By November 2010 there were outbreaks of cholera.
Immediate Responses to the Haiti Earthquake
The government, charities and non-governmental organisations(NGOs) got to work straight away: setting up relief centres, medical tents and temporary shelters.
Communication systems, air, land, and sea transport facilities, hospitals, and electrical networks had been damaged by the earthquake, which slowed rescue and aid efforts.
Between 23 major charities, $1.1 billion had been collected for Haiti relief efforts in the weeks following the earthquake, but only two percent of the money had been released.
The emergency services worked 24 hours a day to recover people and bodies from the rubble.
Food packages and sanitation supplies were distributed to those most in need.
Bodies were buried in mass graves as Port-au-prince’s morgues were quickly overwhelmed.
Many countries responded to appeals for aid, pledging funds and dispatching rescue and medical teams, engineers and support personnel.
In the hours following the quake, television appeals, radio broadcasts and internet sites were set up to raise awareness of the situation.
Long term responses to Haiti earthquake.
In the weeks after the earthquake, various music artists recorded tracks for an album tilted Hope for Haiti Now. All proceeds went towards the Haiti earthquake appeal.
The EU gave $330 million and the World Bank wavies the countries debt repayment for 5 years.
In the weeks following the earthquake, the Dominican Republic which neighbours Haiti offered support and accepted some refugees.
6 months after the earthquake, 98% of the rubble remained un-cleared, and work was still underway to unblock vital roads.
The number of people in relief camps of tents and tarps 6 months since the earthquake was 1.6 million, and almost no transitional housing had been built. Most of the camps had no electricity, running water, or sewage disposal, and the tents were beginning to fall apart.
One year after the earthquake 1 million people remained displaces.
Tectonic Hazard 2: Christchurch, 2011 background(HIC)
The earthquake struck on the 22 February 2011. It was a 6.3 magnitude earthquake and the focus was very shallow at 4.99km deep. The earthquake had happened on a conservative plate margin between the Pacific plate and the Australian Plate.
Primary Effects of Christchurch Earthquake
- 181 people were killed
- 2,000 injured
- Over 50% of the city’s buildings were damaged.
- The city’s cathedral spire collapsed.
Water and sewage pipes were damaged.
Secondary effects of Christchurch Earthquake
- Businesses were closed for a long time
- Christchurch couldn’t hold the five rugby world cup matches
- Schools were closed for two weeks due to the damage.
Immediate Responses to the Christchurch Earthquake
Rods and houses were clear of silt from liquefaction by August and 80% of rods and 50% of footpaths were repaired.
Temporary shelters were set up and local organisations( many church groups) distributed food parcels to those who needed them.
The most vulnerable people were cared for and people were kept safe away from dangerous buildings.
Many non-government organisations including save the children helped with long term recovery efforts by helping to re-build infrastructure and providing temporary shelters and amenities.
Temporary chemical toilets were provided for 30,000 residents.
Domestic help was available- The Farmy army was made up of 800 farmers who brought their farm machines and muscle to help clean up the city.
