L6 - HIC earthquake example

• name and location

  the 2009 L’aquila earthquake happened in the region of Abruzzo (in central Italy). it’s epicentre was 7 kms northwest of L’aquila (capital of the region of Abruzzo) and l’aquila and the surrounding villages suffered the most damage
• date it happened

  the L’aquila earthquake happened on the 6th april 2009 at 3:32 am local time
• history/ overview

  it is estimated that since the mid-14th century there have been around 300,000 earthquake related incidents throughout the country
• history/ overview

  large magnitude earthquake however, are relatively uncommon in italy - and they are very rarely deadly
• history/ overview

  the soil structure of L’aquila amplifies seismic waves and it is build on the bed of an ancient lake
• history/ overview

  since 1703, in Abruzzo alone, earthquakes have killed 40,000 people
• population

  60.6 million (2016)
• birth rate

  8.7 births per 1000 population
• death rate

  10.3 deaths per 1000 population
• growth rate

  0.9% annual change
• age structure

  0-14 years: 13.71%

  15-64 years: 63.88%

  65 years +: 22.41%
• population below poverty line:

  29.9% in 2012
• fertility rate

  1.37 births per woman
• life expectancy

  83.49 years

  male = 80.5

  female = 84.8
• primary effects (social)

  many buildings with à considerable cultural value collapsed. the apse of the basilica of saint bernardino of siena, l’aquilas largest renaissance church was seriously damaged
• primary effects (social)

  the san salvatore hospital was severely damaged which meant that patients had to be evacuated as the hospital itself could not cope with injured victims
• secondary effects (social)

  aftershocks caused safety problems for rescue crews with cranes that were searching for injured people among the loose bricks and broken timbers of structures
• secondary effects (social)

  the aftershocks also lead to sustained psychological trauma - especially to those that had already been seriously struck by the main earthquake
• primary effects (economic)

  L’aquila hospitals new wing opened in 2000 and was thought capable of resisting any earthquake, suffered extensive damage and had to be closed
• secondary effects (economic)

  there is a lack of housing for all residents - therefore house prices are rents have increased
• secondary effects (economic)

  much of the city’s central business district was cordoned off due to unsafe buildings
• secondary effects (economic)

  some red zones still exist, which has reduced the amount of business, income and tourism
• primary effects (environmental)

  the earthquake was felt as far away as rome, 92 kilometres away
• what led to the disaster?

  l’aquila is vulnerable for earthquakes because it lies on a tectonic plate boundary. the soil amplifies ground shaking - therefore leading to a greater impact on the infrastructure and people
• what led to the disaster?

  there were poor building standards and construction materials used in the homes of L’aquila, some of the concrete sections of buildings were made very poorly - potentially with sand - which meant the earthquake very easily crumbled said buildings, creating more harm and rubble
• short term responses

  train carriages were popular shelter places and Silvio Berlusconi (prime minister) offered his own houses as accommodation for survivors
• short term responses

  within an hour, the italian red cross was searching for survivors, along with 7 dog units, a temporary hospital and 36 ambulances
• short term responses

  water, hot meals, tents and blankets were distributed to everyone
• short term responses

  the british red cross raised £171,000 in support
• short term responses

  mortgages and bills for gas, electric and sky tv were suspended
• short term responses

  the italian post office offered free mobile calls, raised donations to help and also gave free delivery for products sold by small businesses
• short term responses

  on the 10th april 2009, a state funeral was held for 205 of the 291 victims of the earthquake. it was attended by the prime minister and many other politicians and church dignitaries
• long term responses

  there was a torch lit procession which took place with a catholic mas on the anniversary of the earthquake as a remembrance of all the people
• long term responses

  in 2010, residents did not have to pay taxes