Earthquakes Case Studies - Haiti And Christchurch 🇭🇹🇳🇿

Question 1

When was the Christchurch Earthquake?

Answer 1

22nd February, 2011

Question 2

What was its magnitude?

Answer 2

6.2 on the Richter scale

Question 3

What was Christchurch quake depth?

Answer 3

5km

Question 4

Where was the actual quake?

Answer 4

10km south east of CC, NZ

Question 5

Cause of CC?

Answer 5

Occurred along a fault which is the result of pressure between the Indo-Australian and Pacific plate

Question 6

How many people died in CC?

Answer 6

185

Question 7

How many minor injuries (CC)?

Answer 7

6600

Question 8

Primary effects of CC?

Answer 8

• iconic buildings damaged and destroyed
• liquefaction, especially in suburbs led to over 4000 homes being unstable
• 80% of the city had no electricity
• hundreds of km of water and sewage pipes damaged

Question 9

Secondary effects of CC?

Answer 9

• 10,600 people moved away from CC (caused population decline)
• 1240 buildings in the city were demolished
• couldn’t host any rugby fixtures in 2011 (loss of tourism and income)
• more need for psychological support
• small businesses put out of action —> loss of jobs and therefore income

Question 10

Short-term responses to CC?

Answer 10

• aid money sent from around the world (Aus sent $5mil)
• chemical toilets provided for 30,000 residents
• “farmy army” of 800 farmers brought equipment to help clean the city
• rescue crews from Japan, USA, UK and Aus. Sent to help
• government declared ‘state of emergency’ stayed in force until April 30th 2011

Question 11

Long-term responses to CC?

Answer 11

• city centre categorised into 4 colour-coded zones which showed extent of damage (allow coordinate response)
• all water and sewage restored by August
• government ensured all homes were kept water tight
• NGOs, e.g. save the children, were heavily involved in long term response
• by August, 80% of roads and 50% of footpaths damaged by liquefaction repaired

Question 12

When was the Haiti Earthquake?

Answer 12

16:53 (local time)
Tuesday the 12th January 2010

Question 13

What caused the earthquake?

Answer 13

North American plate sliding past the Caribbean plate at a conservative plate boundary
Same direction, one fast than the other

Question 14

What was Haiti magnitude?

Answer 14

7

Question 15

How many were killed in H quake?

Answer 15

220,000

Question 16

Primary effects of H quake?

Answer 16

• 250,000 homes destroyed
• 30,000 other buildings (Priest’s palace, 60% gov. Buildings)
• 1.3 million people homeless
• airport and port damages
• 8 hospitals collapsed

Question 17

Secondary effects of H quake?

Answer 17

• 2 million people left without food and water
• frequent power cuts
• crime increased - looting and sexual violence escalated
• people moved to temporary shelters
• by November 2010, cholera outbreaks were a massive problem

Question 18

Short-term responses to H quake?

Answer 18

• crucial aid slow to arrive (damaged port)
• USA sent rescue teams and 10,000 troops
• bottled water and purification tablets provided
• 235,000 people moved to less damaged cities away from Port-au-Prince
• UK gov donated £20 million

Question 19

Long-term responses of H quake?

Answer 19

• dependant on overseas aid
• new homes were build to a higher standard (one year after quake, over 1 million people still living in temporary shelters)
• port needed rebuilding (needed lots of investment)

Question 20

Which country had a better response to their earthquake?

Answer 20

Christchurch (New Zealand) they are a HIC so had more income to rebuild their country and protect their buildings which was why there was less buildings damaged and people dead