Responses to Tectonic Hazards Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

Give two primary effects of the Nepal earthquake (2015).

About 9000 people killed and 20 000 injured; over 3 million left homeless as buildings, roads and historic sites (e.g. Dharahara Tower) collapsed.

Give two secondary effects of the Nepal earthquake (2015).

An avalanche on Mount Everest killed 19 people; landslides blocked roads and valleys, and tourism income fell sharply.

Give two immediate responses to the Nepal earthquake (2015).

International search and rescue teams and helicopters rescued survivors; emergency aid of tents, food, water and medical care was distributed.

Give two long-term responses to the Nepal earthquake (2015).

Roads were cleared and Everest trekking routes reopened to restore tourism; homes and heritage sites were rebuilt using international aid and loans (over US$3 billion pledged).

Give two immediate responses to the Chile earthquake (2010).

Emergency services and the army responded within hours, setting up field hospitals and emergency shelters; power and water were restored to 90% of homes within 10 days.

Why are the effects of an earthquake usually worse, and the responses slower, in a low income country than in a high income country?

Poorer countries have weaker buildings with unenforced building codes and poor infrastructure, and less money for monitoring, emergency services and rebuilding, so they rely on foreign aid.