Challenges of Natural Hazards- CS

Question 1

When was the Haiti Earthquake?

Answer 1

2010

Question 2

When was the Japan earthquake?

Answer 2

2011

Question 3

What kind of country is Haiti

Answer 3

LIC

Question 4

What kind of country is Japan?

Answer 4

HIC

Question 5

Haiti earthquake magitude.

Answer 5

7.0

Question 6

Japan earthquake magnitude.

Answer 6

9.1

Question 7

Causes of the Haiti earthquake.

Answer 7

-Caribbean plate and North American plate both moved in different directions.
-plates became stuck due to friction along the fault.
- the fault ruptured releasing energy.

Question 8

Cause of the Japan earthquake.

Answer 8

Destructive plate boundary- Oceanic Pacific Plate moving towards Okhotsk plate.

Question 9

Haiti- primary effects

Answer 9

18,000 homes destoyed.

100,000-240,000 people died immediately, 3,000 injuries.

1,000,000 people displaced from their homes.

Port was badly damaged, making it hard for aid to get into the country.

Presidential palace and the government collapsed.

All 8 hospitals in Port-au-Prince collapsed or damaged.

Prison collapsed, 8,000 inmates escaped.

Question 10

Japan- Primary effects

Answer 10

· 16,000 people died, 6,000 injured

· 230,000 people made homeless

· Transport infrastructure damaged, e.g. 325km of railway washed away

· Fukushima nuclear power plant damaged

· Landslides blocked roads

Question 11

Haiti- secondary effects

Answer 11

Looting as people trying to survive.

Many people trapped under fallen buildings for days.

Many people tried to leave Haiti (Mass migration)

Businesses destroyed, people unemployed

Cholera epidemic- 10 months after earthquake due to inadequate sanitation, killing 8,000 people.

Question 12

Japan- secondary effects

Answer 12

· Radioactive waste released from power plant caused long term environmental damage.

· Large economic cost to rebuild- $235 billion.

Question 13

Haiti- immediate responses

Answer 13

Food, water and medical supplies were brought in by the USA and neighbouring Dominican Republic.

Search and rescue teams from neighbouring countries were also deployed in Port-au-Prince.

Mass graves were used to try to safely dispose of the dead.

People constructed makeshift temporary accomodation or were provided with tents by international aid agencies.

Question 14

Japan- short term responses

Answer 14

Government broadcasts were interrupted by warnings and emergency text messages were sent out to the population within 30 seconds of the earthquake starting.

Rescue works and soldiers were sent immediately.

Question 15

Haiti- long term responses

Answer 15

Appropriate technology earthquake resistant techniques, such as building with old tyres, straw bales, or bamboo, with lighter roofs made from large leaves or tarpaulin. However many people continued living in makeshift accommodation years after the disaster (500,000 in tents in 2015)

Question 16

Japan- long term responses

Answer 16

Tsunami barriers had been built (although unfortunately in many places ineffective as the land subsided so much the tsunami waves went over the walls)

Japan has had a tsunami warning system since 1952.

Question 17

which earth quake was worse?

Answer 17

Although it was a stronger more significant earthquake in Japan Haiti suffered more as:

· It was less well prepared
· Government has been less stable and organised
· Less strict regulations for buildings
· Significant poverty

N.B. Haiti’s development has been hindered by its

position as a former slave colony which on gaining

independence has had little investment from

other countries limiting foreign exports and

influence.