Haiti earthquake

When was the Haiti earthquake?

12th January 2010

What was the tectonic setting for the hazard?

- Located on the subduction zone of North american plate from carribbean.

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Significance of the earthquake?

- 7 On richter scale

- 14 km deep

- Only 25km from Port-au-Prince

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How many aftershocks were experienced

50 aftershocks of 4.5+

How many deaths, homeless and buildings destroyed?

- 230,000 deaths according to final counts

- 2.3 million homeless

- 250,000 homes destroyed

What is pancaking?

where buildings collapse in on themselves, floors falling flat onto each other. Usually occurs in areas with poor regulations of building quality. Kills everyone inside.

Important buildings destroyed?

- all hospitals in P-a-P destroyed

- Prison destroyed, 4000 inmates broke free

- 1300 schools also destroyed

Important secondary impacts of the quake?

- Cholera break out (caused from Nepali aid workers bringing it from nepal), caused a further 8,000 deaths

- Rioting, Looting and violence broke out in P-a-P

- Roads blocked (stopping aid transport etc) by landslides and debris

International aid received?

- Iceland and dominican republic provided medical aid

- Dominican republic opened its borders, allowing refugees in

- USA sent 3500 soldiers for search and rescue efforts

Long term responses by haiti government and international organisations

- Bodies buried in mass graves to stop further contamination and spread of disease

- World bank cancelled 50% of haitis debts

Why so disorganised?

- Very low income, poorest country in western hemisphere

- Government was extremely corrupt and facing being overthrown prior to the earthquake

- Many government and UN officials stationed there to help pre-disaster died (100 UN workers)

Debris removal success?

- 6 months after the earthquake, 98% of the debris remained unmoved. Government hadnt restablised.