Case Studies

• Chile has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 298.2 billion USD, ranking 38th in the world (out of 193 countries).
• Chile's Human Development Index (HDI) is 41st in the world (out of 187 countries).
• Nepal has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 29.04 billion USD, ranking 109th in the world (out of 193 countries).
• Nepal's Human Development Index (HDI) is 145th in the world (out of 187 countries).
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of the total wealth of a country.
• Human Development Index (HDI) is a measure of the development of a country.
• Santiago, Chile is the capital of Chile.
• Kathmandu, Nepal is the capital of Nepal.
• Both Chile and Nepal have suffered severe earthquakes.
• The 2010 Chile Earthquake, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, struck off the coast of Chile, lasting for over three minutes, and occurred on a destructive plate margin where the Nazca plate subducts beneath the South American plate.
• The 2015 Nepal Earthquake, measuring 7.9 magnitude, hit Nepal, caused by the subduction of the Indo-Australian plate beneath the Eurasian plate (destructive plate margin), with its epicentre around 80km away from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and originating only 15km below the surface.
• The effects of the earthquakes in Chile and Nepal were contrasting, with Chile suffering more primary effects such as around 500 killed and 12,000 injured, 800,000 people affected overall, many buildings destroyed, including 22,000 homes, 4,500 schools, 53 ports and 56 hospitals, and the Santiago airport badly damaged.
• The Somerset Levels are an area of low-lying coastal plains and wetlands located in the south-west of the UK in the county of Somerset.
• Several rivers flow through the Somerset Levels and drain into the Bristol Channel, notably the River Tone and River Parrett.
• Nepal suffered more secondary effects such as landslides triggered by the earthquake damaging 1500km of roads, debris blocking roads for weeks, which cut off rural communities and slowed relief efforts, and a tsunami triggered by the earthquake devastating coastal towns and destroying ports.
• The low-lying nature of the area makes it prone to flooding, and settlements and agricultural land on the levels have experienced flooding events for centuries.
• In the winter of 2013-2014, the Somerset Levels experienced very severe and extensive flooding.
• Those left stranded by avalanches were rescued by helicopter, and communities cut off by severe landslides were given vital supplies after the Nepal earthquake.
• Fires broke out in buildings due to burst pipes and other complications.
• 3 million people were left homeless after their homes were destroyed.
• Chile and Nepal had different responses to the earthquakes they suffered due to the countries’ different levels of preparedness and wealth.
• A landslide near Arauco caused damage to infrastructure and blocked roads.
• 9,000 people were killed and 20,000 were injured in the Nepal earthquake.
• Smoke from a fire outside Santiago was seen from space.
• Helicopters were used for search, rescue and supply distribution after the Nepal earthquake.
• A fire in a chemical plant near Santiago meant many people had to be evacuated.
• International aid quickly arrived from the UK, India and China after the Nepal earthquake, bringing search and rescue teams, medical support and essential supplies.
• Within 24 hours, temporary repairs were made to the Route 5 north-south highway in Chile, reconnecting the capital to other areas and allowing response teams to travel to more remote communities.
• Temporary shelters were set up for the homeless after the Nepal earthquake.
• Power, water and communications were severely affected in Nepal.
• 1.4 million people were urgently in need of food, water and shelter after the Nepal earthquake.
• The cost of damage was estimated at around USD$5 billion in Nepal.
• 8 million people were affected, a third of Nepal’s population.
• Emergency services were deployed quickly in Chile after the earthquake.
• The village of Penco was hit by a tsunami.
• 7,000 schools were destroyed, and 50% of all shops were destroyed, leading to food and supply shortages.
• The Chilean government immediately distributed 5,000 temporary shelters, and a further 30,000 temporary emergency shelters were built after fundraising after the Nepal earthquake.
• Many historical sites and landmarks were damaged or destroyed in the Nepal earthquake.
• Search and rescue teams were sent out to search for and help survivors, and emergency field hospitals were set up to help the injured in Chile.
• Over £87 million was raised in aid by donations after the Nepal earthquake.