Haiti Earthquake 2010 Case Study

The Haiti earthquake 2010 was a catastrophic event that struck the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

Key details:

• Magnitude 7 earthquake
• Epicenter 24 km south of Port-au-Prince
• Shallow focus of 13 km

Primary effects of Haiti earthquake 2010:

• 3 million people affected
• 280,000 buildings damaged or destroyed
• Haiti earthquake 2010 death toll: 100,000-160,000 people

Economic impacts of Haiti earthquake 2010:

• 1 in 5 lost jobs
• Largest industry (clothing) destroyed

Secondary impacts of Haiti earthquake 2010:

• Police force collapsed
• Outbreaks of cholera and typhoid

Immediate responses:

• Dominican Republic provided immediate aid (water, food, hospitals)
• American Red Cross raised $87 million in 24 hours
• 400 children adopted by American and Dutch families

Long-term responses to Haiti earthquake 2010:

• Government moved 235,000 people to secure locations
• Slow recovery: after 6 months, 98% of rubble remained, 1.4 million lived in tents
• 2015 drought and 2016 Hurricane Matthew further hindered recovery efforts

Highlight: The Haiti earthquake 2010 had devastating long-term consequences, with recovery efforts hampered by subsequent natural disasters and pre-existing poverty.

Mount Pinatubo Eruption 1991

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 was a major volcanic event with global consequences.

Key details:

• Located in the Philippines
• Situated at a destructive plate boundary between Eurasian and Philippine plates
• Composite cone volcano type

Impacts:

• Transport problems due to ash
• Disease, starvation, and suffocation risks
• $700 million in damage
• Farmland covered in ash
• Homes collapsed
• Global temperature lowered by 1.5 degrees for 5 years due to sulphur dioxide emissions

Responses:

• Population quickly alerted and evacuated, though some refused to leave
• Typhoon Yunya exacerbated effects, with ash mixing with water leading to 300 deaths

Example: The Mount Pinatubo eruption demonstrates how volcanic events can have far-reaching climatic effects, as evidenced by the global temperature drop.