Haiti Multi-hazardous environment case study:

Question 1

What was the magnitude of the Haiti earthquake 2010 ?

Answer 1

7.0 magnitude

Question 2

When did the Haiti 2010 earthquake occur ?

Answer 2

12th January

Question 3

Where did the 2010 earthquake occur ?

Answer 3

• 18.457 degrees N, 72.533 degrees W
• Epicentre was approximately 16 miles west of Port-au-Prince (Haiti’s Capital)
• Earthquake’s focus was 8.1 miles below the Earth’s surface.

Question 4

Why did the 2010 Haiti earthquake occur ?

Answer 4

• Haiti is situated at the northern end of the Caribbean Plate on a conservative plate boundary with the North American plate. There was friction between the 2 plates and then tension was released in the forms of an earthquake
• Earthquake was caused by a slip along an existing fault.

Question 5

Primary effects of the Haiti 2010 earthquake:

Answer 5

• Haitian Government reports that between 217,000 and 230,000 people died.
• Estimated 300,000 injured and 1 million made homeless
• 30,000 commercial buildings collapsed

Question 6

Secondary effects of Haiti earthquake 2010:

Answer 6

• 2 million people left without food or water
• Regular power cuts occurred
• Cholera outbreaks by 2010
• Looting and crime became a problem

Question 7

Immediate responses for the Haiti earthquake 2010:

Answer 7

• Port was damaged so aid was slow to arrive
• USA sent 10,000 troops
• £20 million donated by the UK government
• 235,000 people were moved away from Port-au-prince to less damaged cities

Question 8

Long term responses for Haiti 2010 earthquake:

Answer 8

• Had to rely on foreign aid as Haiti are the poorest country in the Western hemisphere
• New homes were built to a higher standard. Port needed rebuilding which required large investment
• 1 year after the earthquake over 1 million people were still living in shelters due to the earthquake.

Question 9

Why did so many people die in the Haiti 2010 earthquake ?

Answer 9

1) Earthquake had a shallow depth meaning seismic waves had to travel a smaller distance meaning the seismic waves were carrying more energy.

2) Struck most densely populated areas

3) Buildings pancaked

4) Haiti’s airport was damaged meaning in the long and short term it was difficult to get aid.

5) UN brought cholera and many residents died