Case Studies: HIC & LIC Earthquakes

• Earthquake


  A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action
• Nepal earthquake


  • Magnitude 7.8
  • Epicentre 80km northwest of Kathmandu
• L'Aquila earthquake


  • Magnitude 6.3
  • Epicentre 7km northwest of the settlement
• Wealth of an area


  Affects the effects of earthquakes and responses to them
• 2015 Nepal earthquake


  • Magnitude 7.8
  • Epicentre 80km northwest of Kathmandu
• 2009 L'Aquila earthquake


  • Magnitude 6.3
  • Epicentre 7km northwest of L'Aquila
• Primary effects of an earthquake

  • Death
  • Injury
  • Damage to infrastructure
• Secondary effects of an earthquake

  Effects that happen due to the primary effects, can happen hours, days or weeks after
• Primary effects in Nepal

  1. 8692 people died

  2. 20000 people injured

  3. 3 million people made homeless

  4. 7000 schools destroyed

  5. $5 billion damage
• Primary effects in L'Aquila

  1. 309 people died

  2. 1500 people injured

  3. 65000 people made homeless

  4. 10000-15000 buildings collapsed

  5. Hospital badly damaged

  6. $16 billion damage
• Secondary effects in Nepal

  1. Avalanche on Mount Everest killed 19

  2. Landslides killed 250 in Ghodatabela

  3. Landslide blocked Kali Gandaki River
• Secondary effects in L'Aquila

  1. Access to some areas restricted due to unsafe buildings

  2. Transport damaged by landslides and rock falls

  3. University applications declined
• Immediate responses in Nepal

  1. Rescue teams, medical support and water provided by UK, China and India

  2. $126 million raised in international aid by DEC

  3. 500000 temporary shelters set up

  4. UN and WHO distributed medical supplies
• Immediate responses in L'Aquila

  1. Homeless provided with tents and hotel rooms

  2. Bills and mortgages suspended

  3. $552.9 million from EU disaster fund

  4. $170 million raised by British Red Cross
• DEC did not provide aid in L'Aquila as Italy is a HIC
• Long-term responses in Nepal

  1. Buildings constructed to stricter codes

  2. Homeless re-housed, 7000 schools re-built

  3. Mount Everest base camp repaired

  4. Landslide areas cleared, roads repaired
• Long-term responses in L'Aquila

  1. No taxes paid by residents in 2010

  2. University fees dropped for 3 years to encourage students back

  3. Memorial procession held on anniversary