Tectonics Flashcards
1
Q
What were the physical causes of the Haiti 2010 earthquake?
A
- Magnitude 7 with shallow focus increasing ground shaking
- Epicentre was very close to port-au-prince (densely populated capital)
- Liquefaction occurred on looser soils
2
Q
What were the human factors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake?
A
- Developing nation = people are poor with limited resources, 80% lived below the poverty line.
40% government budget was from aid. - Low GDP per capita at only $1300
- Government is corrupt so weak infrastructure
- Lack of building regulations = more densely populated slums
- No disaster preparation or education
- Deforestation increased risk of landslides/ liquefaction
3
Q
Impacts of 2010 Haiti earthquake
A
- 1.3 million were made homeless
- Over 300,000 dead
- The only airport was damaged, so aid was limited
- Key government buildings destroyed
- Outbreak of cholera due to poor sanitation and lack of medical supplies with over 700,000 being affected
4
Q
Recovery from the 2010 Haiti earthquake
A
- Haitian government only controlled 10% of the aid money - over $1.3bn given in aid but was managed mostly by IGOs due to corruption.
- Improvements in responses - 2013 hurricane had a much better response from the government.
5
Q
What were the physical causes of the 2011 Japan earthquake?
A
- Magnitude 9 earthquake under Pacific Ocean causing large tsunami that went 10km inland
- Caused by a convergent plate boundary with the Indian oceanic plate sinking beneath the Burma oceanic plate
6
Q
Impacts of 2011 Japan earthquake
A
- Damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant as it had not been built to withstand a tsunami, forcing almost 500,000 to evacuate
- Under 20,000 deaths
- $240bn economic damage
- No safety procedure for power plant, so by 2013 they shut 44 nuclear reactors
7
Q
What was the human preparation for the 2011 Japan earthquake?
A
- Well developed with a high GDP per capita at around $39k
- Regular earthquake drills and education
- 75% of buildings able to withstand earthquakes due to strict building regulations
- Areas prone to tsunamis had 10m high walls and evacuation routes/shelters
- Good warning systems and emergency aid kits in homes
8
Q
Response to 2011 Japan earthquake
A
- +100,000 defence troops sent out immediately
- Accepted rescue and recovery teams from 20 other countries
9
Q
What were the physical causes of the 2008 China earthquake?
A
- Magnitude 7.9 earthquake struct Sichuan (mountainous region in south west China)
- Triggered landslides
10
Q
Impacts of 2008 China earthquake
A
- Over 45 million people were affected
- Over 80,000 deaths
- 5 million made homeless
- Over $100bn worth of damage
- Thousands of schools destroyed, killing over 5000 children
11
Q
What were the human factors of the 2008 China earthquake?
A
- Corrupt government officials ignored building codes and accepted bribes so builders took shortcuts– buildings couldn’t withstand the earthquake
- Located in rural area, so not that densely populated
12
Q
Response to the 2008 China earthquake
A
- Very good response with large growing economy at GDP per capita of $6600
- Within hours, over 130,000 soldiers sent out to people in rural areas
- People were relocated and medical supplies restored
- Government pledged $10bn to help
13
Q
Recovery from the 2008 China earthquake
A
- Within 2 weeks temporary infrastructure built
- 2 years on, 97% all restoration was completed
- Over 200 transport projects constructed
- Positive outcome in rebuilding areas
14
Q
The risk of Philippines physical location
A
- Lies on convergent plate boundary, producing earthquakes and volcanoes
- Is located in the Pacific Ocean so it is prone to tsunamis
- Lies within South East Asia’s major typhoon belts
- Tropical monsoon climate
- Had 47 volcanoes – destructive volcanic eruptions
- Landslides are common due to being mountainous – also high amounts of deforestation
15
Q
Vulnerability of the Philippines
A
- Rapid urbanisation + high population density
- Much of poor population live in low lying coastal areas
- 25% of the population live in poverty
