Unit 1: Topic 2 - Case Study 7 - Earthquake (SICHUAN)

Question 1

When?

Answer 1

12 May 2008

Question 2

Where?

Answer 2

Sichuan, China

Question 3

Why?

Answer 3

The pressure resulting in the Indian Plate colliding into the Eurasian plate along the Longmenshan fault line than runs beneath Sichuan.

Question 4

What?

Answer 4

• Richter: 7.9
• Tremors lasted 120 seconds.
• Initial deaths: 8,700
• Deaths (11 days later): 55,000
• Deaths (2 months later): 69,000
• Missing: 18,000
• Injured: 374,000
• Homeless: 5-11 million
• In rural areas such as Beichuan, 80% of buildings collapsed.
• Approximately 5 million buildings collapsed.
• One Juyuan school collapsed in Dujiangyan city, killing 900 pupils. There was anger due to the cheap building materials.
• Communications ceased.
• Roads blocked by landslides
• River blocked by landslides causing fears of floods.
• Cost $75 million damage.

Question 5

Responses

Answer 5

• 20 helicopters were assigned for rescue and relief immediately after the disaster.
• Troops began parachuting in to assess situation, while others hiked on foot.
• Thousands of army troops were deployed after the earthquake.
• Calls were made to increase production of tents (3.3 million needed).
• Areas of land flattened for tents to be erected.
• 14 May, China requested international help.
• Russia, South Korea and Japan joined in the rescue effort, but cash donations were the preferred option.
• Red Cross donations: £100 million in a fortnight for essential supplies.
• 1 millions temporary small homes were erected.
• Chinese government pledged $10 million rebuilding fund.
• Banks wrote off debts owed by survivors who did not have insurance.