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.

Christchurch Earthquake 2011 Case Study

The Christchurch earthquake of 2011 was a significant seismic event that struck New Zealand's second-largest city.

Key details:

• Magnitude 6.3 on the Richter scale
• Population affected: 390,300
• Very close to the epicenter

Primary effects of Christchurch earthquake 2011:

• 181 deaths
• 200 people trapped
• Gas pipes exploded, causing fires

Economic impacts of Christchurch earthquake 2011:

• 10,000 homes destroyed
• 100,000 homes damaged
• Central Christchurch severely affected due to building collapses

Immediate responses to Christchurch earthquake 2011:

• People taken to buildings for food and water
• Volunteers mobilized
• £20 million allocated for rebuilding
• Fire engines ran out of water due to the scale of fires

Secondary effects of Christchurch earthquake 2011:

• Aid and expertise sought from other countries
• Heavy lifting equipment required for rescue operations

Long-term mitigation:

• Implementation of computer-controlled building structures
• Consideration of the "doughnutting" effect in urban planning

Highlight: The Christchurch earthquake 2011 led to significant improvements in building design and urban planning to mitigate future earthquake risks.

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.

Mt Ontake Eruption Japan

The eruption of Mt Ontake in Japan was a sudden and deadly volcanic event.

Key details:

• Located at the intersection of 4 major plate boundaries
• Previously thought to be dormant
• No warning before eruption
• Phreatic eruption with hot ash and pyroclastic flows
• Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 3

Geological context:

• Subduction of Pacific plate under North American and Philippine plate
• Subduction of Philippine plate under Eurasian plate
• Formation of trenches in the region

Impacts:

• 63 deaths
• 250 people trapped
• 40 injured

Responses:

• 200 police deployed
• 1000 rescue workers mobilized
• Limited response due to risk and visibility issues
• Search for missing people (220 people helped and 4 shelters established)

Vocabulary: Phreatic eruption - An eruption caused by the heating and explosive expansion of groundwater.

Living with Earthquakes - Japan

Japan's advanced approach to earthquake mitigation and preparedness serves as a model for other seismically active regions.

Research and Monitoring:

• Japan Meteorological Agency provides information and warnings
• Comprehensive planning involving government, medical services, military, and telecommunication companies

Building and Infrastructure Mitigation:

• Steel-framed buildings
• Rubber shock absorbers in foundations
• Deep foundations
• Flexible joints in suspension bridges
• Fireproofing of older buildings

Urban Planning and Education:

• Land use zoning including open spaces
• Tsunami warning systems on the coast
• Extensive education and training programs for all citizens

Highlight: Japan's multi-faceted approach to earthquake preparedness, combining advanced technology, urban planning, and public education, sets a global standard for hazard mitigation.

Yellowstone Supervolcano Overview

The section examines the potential threat of the Yellowstone supervolcano.

Definition: A supervolcano produces more than 100km³ of material in a single eruption.

Example: Previous eruptions occurred 2 million and 1.3 million years ago.

Hazardous Earth Case Studies

This page presents a map of Africa and parts of Asia, highlighting various geographical features such as mountains, lakes, and deserts. While not directly related to hazardous earth events, it sets the stage for discussing global geological phenomena.

Highlight: The map showcases major African landmarks like Mount Kilimanjaro, the Kalahari Desert, and Lake Victoria, providing context for the global nature of geological events.