Haiti Earthquake Research Paper
Research notes for Geography final assignment:
List of major earthquakes in Haiti • 1751 Port-au-Prince earthquake (18 October): According to French historian Moreau de Saint-Méry, "only one masonry building had not collapsed" in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city. • 1770 Port-au-Prince earthquake (3 June): The city was leveled in this magnitude 7.5 quake, which killed over 200 people. • 1783: A strong quake partially destroyed the church in Santiago.[1] • 1842 Cap-Haitien earthquake (7 May): An earthquake destroyed the city of Cap-Haïtien and other towns in the north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic; this earthquake also destroyed the Sans-Souci Palace. 10,000 people were killed.[2] It has been estimated that its magnitude was 8.1.[3] • 1946 Dominican Republic earthquake (4 August): This 8.0-magnitude quake in Samaná also shook Haiti horrifically,[4] producing a tsunami that killed 1,600 people.[5] • 2010 Haiti earthquake (12 January):. The epicentre of this magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake was near Léogâne, approximately 25 km (16 miles) west of Port-au-Prince.[6][7] at a depth of 13 km (8.1 miles). The United States Geological Survey recorded a …show more content…
series of at least 33 aftershocks, 14 of which were between magnitudes 5.0 and 5.9.[8] The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected by the quake;[9] the Haitian Government reports that over 316,000 people had been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless. The death toll is expected to rise.
What causes the earthquake in Haiti?
The Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone (EPGFZ or EPGZ) is a system of coaxial left lateral-moving strike slip faults which runs along the southern side of the island of Hispaniola, where the Dominican Republic and Haiti are located.[
three sides by the much larger North and South American plates, both of which are moving approximately westwards with respect to the Caribbean plate at around 2-3 centimetres a year. On the eastern edge of the plate, the boundary runs perpendicular to the direction of relative plate motion, so there is compression and subduction However, as the boundary curves around to form the northern boundary of the Caribbean plate, where the Haitian earthquake occurred, it starts to run parallel to the direction of relative plate motion, making strike-slip faulting along E-W trending faults the most likely expression of deformation in this region.
Haiti earthquake occurred at a fault that runs right through Haiti and is situated along the boundary between the Caribbean and North American plates, which are rocky slabs that cover the planet and fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle. These two plates constantly creep past one another, about 0.8 inches a year, with the Caribbean plate moving eastward with respect to the North American slab.
The island of Hispaniola lies across the complex transform plate boundary between the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate. The overall four cm per year displacement along this boundary is split nearly equally between two major dextral (right lateral) strike-slip zones either side of the Gonâve Microplate. To the south is the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone, which extends from Jamaica in the west to the south-east of Hispaniola to the east. In the north the fault zone is the Septentrional-Oriente fault zone passing along the southern margin of Cuba and along the northern part of Hispaniola. Both of these fault zones have been associated with several major historical earthquakes 1842 Cap-Haitien earthquake
Geographic location of Haiti( the Plate boundaries)
Second effect of earthquake in Haiti (trigger landslides and avalanches, and cause flooding and tsunamis, water , health solid waste…etc)
Tsunami
Beneath the ocean, undersea earthquakes (known as seaquakes) can also trigger huge waves, known as tsunamis Nearly two weeks after 2010 haiti earthquake , the beach of the small fishing town of Petit Paradis was hit by a localised tsunami wave shortly after the earthquake, probably as a result of an underwater slide, and this was later confirmed by researchersAfter crashing inland, it can drown and sweep away everything in its way. They often flood coastal regions.
The highest run-up of 4.6 m was observed at Port-de-Paix, with 2m run-ups seen along much of the northern coast. At Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands, the run-up was 3.1 m.[
Leaching :Vibration of the quakes compresses soil grains and water pressure increases in joints. Soil flows like a liquid therefore
Proper disposal of solid waste and other sanitation materials is essential. In addition hand washing becomes an increase concern as well when locals do not have enough clean running water. Build-up of sanitation will increase flies and other infectious diseases.
Health Issues:
Following an earthquake two serious concerns need to be addressed;
Water and Sanitation
Without a good plan for bringing in drinkable water into an area can have wide spread consequences. Most individuals start to begin to suffer side effects from dehydration after 30-36 hours without water. A city or village is very vulnerable to the water system being contaminated.
Vibration of the quakes compresses soil grains and water pressure increases in joints. Soil flows like a liquid therefore
Violent earthquakes often cause structures to collapse, burying people underneath. Brick buildings are the most vulnerable. Chimneys and heavy roof tiles are often shaken off during the tremors, and can crash into bystanders or passerbys.
Damage caused by earthquake
In the nights following the earthquake, many people in Haiti slept in the streets, on pavements, in their cars, or in makeshift shanty towns either because their houses had been destroyed, or they feared standing structures would not withstand aftershocks.[75] Construction standards are low in Haiti; the country has no building codes.
Engineers have stated that it is unlikely many buildings would have stood through any kind of disaster. Structures are often raised wherever they can fit; some buildings were built on slopes with insufficient foundations or steel works.[76] A representative of Catholic Relief Services has estimated that about two million Haitians lived as squatters on land they did not own. The country also suffered from shortages of fuel and potable water even before the
disaster.[77]
250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.[1] The deputy mayor of Léogâne, which was at the epicenter of the earthquake, reported that 90% percent of the buildings in that city had been destroyed and Léogâne had "to be totally rebuilt
The Ministry of Education estimated that half the nation's 15,000 primary schools and 1,500 secondary schools were severely damaged or destroyed. In addition, the three main universities in Port-au-Prince were also severely damaged.[3] Other affected infrastructure included telephone networks, radio station, factories, and museums. Poor infrastructure before the earthquake only made the aftermath worse. It would take half a day to make a trip of a few miles. The roads would also crisscross haphazardly due to disorganized construction.(during 2010 earthqauike )
The region that suffered the greatest damage was the northern Cape area, although there was significant damage along the northern coast as far as Santiago de los Caballeros (now in the Dominican Republic). The towns of Cap-Haitien, Port-de-Paix, Môle-Saint-Nicolas and Fort-Liberté were also severely affected.[1] Henri Christophe's Sans-Souci Palace was badly damaged and was never rebuilt.[6]
At Port-de-Paix, the sea drew back 60 m, before returning and flooding the city in 5 m of water, killing between 200–300 of the inhabitants.[5] The effect of the tsunami at Môle-Saint-Nicolas was catastrophic, leaving almost none of the town standing(1842 Cap-Haitien earthquake)
Problems facing Haiti
Buildings and infrastructure in Port-au-Prince suffered extensive damage and basic services like water and electricity are almost non-existent. One of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, Haiti already had severely limited resources before the quake caused large-scale damage to existing infrastructure, hospitals, and other health facilities. Caring for the victims of the quake is an overwhelming task, one that will continue into the foreseeable future.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with local authorities, United Nations agencies, and humanitarian partners to respond to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti earlier this week. The United Nations (UN) issued an urgent call to the international community to assist and is coordinating an emergency response team for humanitarian relief efforts.
In the long-term, Haiti faces outbreaks of diarrheal diseases such as e. coli and cholera due to lack of clean drinking water and health-care options, especially dangerous to infants and young children.
Health issues of immediate concern include search and rescue of trapped survivors; treatment of injuries such as lacerations, broken and fractured bones, burns, and crush injuries; respiratory problems due to inhalation of dust and building materials; treatment for and prevention of infection; distribution of clean water and food; proper sanitation; care and feeding of infants and young children; and management of a growing number of deceased. As of this writing, The Red Cross estimates is estimating that 45,000 – 50,000 have died in the earthquake. haiti has suffered throught a huge earthquake they all went from wealthy to poor or maybe even some poor to poorer some used to have jobs now do they have anything hiati has suffered and they might suffer again meantley physically or maybe even emontionly
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_problems_does_Haiti_face_today#ixzz1jDiAqCXPa hard In fact Haitians had a hard time even getting into international aid meetingsen getting into international aid meetings.
Solution for Haiti(recovery)
The effort so far has not been based a respectful partnership between Haitians and the international community. The actions of the donor countries and the NGOs and international agencies have not been transparent so that Haitians or others can track the money and see how it has been spent. Without transparency and a respectful partnership the Haitian people cannot hold anyone accountable for what has happened in their country. That has to change.
The UN Special Envoy to Haiti suggests the generous instincts of people around the world must be channeled by international actors and institutions in a way that assists in the creation of a “robust public sector and a healthy private sector.” Instead of giving the money to intermediaries, funds should be directed as much as possible to Haitian public and private institutions. A “Haiti First” policy could strengthen public systems, promote accountability, and create jobs and build skills among the Haitian people.
Respect, transparency and accountability are the building blocks for human rights. Haitians deserve to know where the money has gone, what the plans are for the money still left, and to be partners in the decision-making for what is to come.
After all, these are the people who will be solving the problems when the post-earthquake relief money is gone
Magnitude of earthquake in Haiti : average from 6.0 to 8.1
Work cited:
http://scienceblogs.com/highlyallochthonous/2010/01/tectonics_of_the_haiti_earthqu.php
Chris Rowan( author of the website ) Last update: January 13, 2010 1:30 AM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34842469/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/what-caused-devastating-haiti-earthquake/
Author:n/a last update updated 1/13/2010 11:55:23 AM ET 2010-01-13T16:55:23
http://iahealth.net/potential-health-problems-after-haitian-earthquake-are-expected-for-haiti/
http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/english/earthquakes/earthquakedamage.shtml
http://solutionshaiti.blogspot.com/ January 4, 2012
• HTTP://WWW.CARE2.COM/CAUSES/LONG-TERM-HEALTH-PROBLEMS-FACING-HAITI-AFTER-EARTHQUAKE.HTML ANN PIETRANGELO • January 15, 2010 • 1:30 am
List of major earthquakes in Haiti • 1751 Port-au-Prince earthquake (18 October): According to French historian Moreau de Saint-Méry, "only one masonry building had not collapsed" in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city. • 1770 Port-au-Prince earthquake (3 June): The city was leveled in this magnitude 7.5 quake, which killed over 200 people. • 1783: A strong quake partially destroyed the church in Santiago.[1] • 1842 Cap-Haitien earthquake (7 May): An earthquake destroyed the city of Cap-Haïtien and other towns in the north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic; this earthquake also destroyed the Sans-Souci Palace. 10,000 people were killed.[2] It has been estimated that its magnitude was 8.1.[3] • 1946 Dominican Republic earthquake (4 August): This 8.0-magnitude quake in Samaná also shook Haiti horrifically,[4] producing a tsunami that killed 1,600 people.[5] • 2010 Haiti earthquake (12 January):. The epicentre of this magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake was near Léogâne, approximately 25 km (16 miles) west of Port-au-Prince.[6][7] at a depth of 13 km (8.1 miles). The United States Geological Survey recorded a …show more content…
series of at least 33 aftershocks, 14 of which were between magnitudes 5.0 and 5.9.[8] The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected by the quake;[9] the Haitian Government reports that over 316,000 people had been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless. The death toll is expected to rise.
What causes the earthquake in Haiti?
The Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone (EPGFZ or EPGZ) is a system of coaxial left lateral-moving strike slip faults which runs along the southern side of the island of Hispaniola, where the Dominican Republic and Haiti are located.[
three sides by the much larger North and South American plates, both of which are moving approximately westwards with respect to the Caribbean plate at around 2-3 centimetres a year. On the eastern edge of the plate, the boundary runs perpendicular to the direction of relative plate motion, so there is compression and subduction However, as the boundary curves around to form the northern boundary of the Caribbean plate, where the Haitian earthquake occurred, it starts to run parallel to the direction of relative plate motion, making strike-slip faulting along E-W trending faults the most likely expression of deformation in this region.
Haiti earthquake occurred at a fault that runs right through Haiti and is situated along the boundary between the Caribbean and North American plates, which are rocky slabs that cover the planet and fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle. These two plates constantly creep past one another, about 0.8 inches a year, with the Caribbean plate moving eastward with respect to the North American slab.
The island of Hispaniola lies across the complex transform plate boundary between the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate. The overall four cm per year displacement along this boundary is split nearly equally between two major dextral (right lateral) strike-slip zones either side of the Gonâve Microplate. To the south is the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone, which extends from Jamaica in the west to the south-east of Hispaniola to the east. In the north the fault zone is the Septentrional-Oriente fault zone passing along the southern margin of Cuba and along the northern part of Hispaniola. Both of these fault zones have been associated with several major historical earthquakes 1842 Cap-Haitien earthquake
Geographic location of Haiti( the Plate boundaries)
Second effect of earthquake in Haiti (trigger landslides and avalanches, and cause flooding and tsunamis, water , health solid waste…etc)
Tsunami
Beneath the ocean, undersea earthquakes (known as seaquakes) can also trigger huge waves, known as tsunamis Nearly two weeks after 2010 haiti earthquake , the beach of the small fishing town of Petit Paradis was hit by a localised tsunami wave shortly after the earthquake, probably as a result of an underwater slide, and this was later confirmed by researchersAfter crashing inland, it can drown and sweep away everything in its way. They often flood coastal regions.
The highest run-up of 4.6 m was observed at Port-de-Paix, with 2m run-ups seen along much of the northern coast. At Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands, the run-up was 3.1 m.[
Leaching :Vibration of the quakes compresses soil grains and water pressure increases in joints. Soil flows like a liquid therefore
Proper disposal of solid waste and other sanitation materials is essential. In addition hand washing becomes an increase concern as well when locals do not have enough clean running water. Build-up of sanitation will increase flies and other infectious diseases.
Health Issues:
Following an earthquake two serious concerns need to be addressed;
Water and Sanitation
Without a good plan for bringing in drinkable water into an area can have wide spread consequences. Most individuals start to begin to suffer side effects from dehydration after 30-36 hours without water. A city or village is very vulnerable to the water system being contaminated.
Vibration of the quakes compresses soil grains and water pressure increases in joints. Soil flows like a liquid therefore
Violent earthquakes often cause structures to collapse, burying people underneath. Brick buildings are the most vulnerable. Chimneys and heavy roof tiles are often shaken off during the tremors, and can crash into bystanders or passerbys.
Damage caused by earthquake
In the nights following the earthquake, many people in Haiti slept in the streets, on pavements, in their cars, or in makeshift shanty towns either because their houses had been destroyed, or they feared standing structures would not withstand aftershocks.[75] Construction standards are low in Haiti; the country has no building codes.
Engineers have stated that it is unlikely many buildings would have stood through any kind of disaster. Structures are often raised wherever they can fit; some buildings were built on slopes with insufficient foundations or steel works.[76] A representative of Catholic Relief Services has estimated that about two million Haitians lived as squatters on land they did not own. The country also suffered from shortages of fuel and potable water even before the
disaster.[77]
250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.[1] The deputy mayor of Léogâne, which was at the epicenter of the earthquake, reported that 90% percent of the buildings in that city had been destroyed and Léogâne had "to be totally rebuilt
The Ministry of Education estimated that half the nation's 15,000 primary schools and 1,500 secondary schools were severely damaged or destroyed. In addition, the three main universities in Port-au-Prince were also severely damaged.[3] Other affected infrastructure included telephone networks, radio station, factories, and museums. Poor infrastructure before the earthquake only made the aftermath worse. It would take half a day to make a trip of a few miles. The roads would also crisscross haphazardly due to disorganized construction.(during 2010 earthqauike )
The region that suffered the greatest damage was the northern Cape area, although there was significant damage along the northern coast as far as Santiago de los Caballeros (now in the Dominican Republic). The towns of Cap-Haitien, Port-de-Paix, Môle-Saint-Nicolas and Fort-Liberté were also severely affected.[1] Henri Christophe's Sans-Souci Palace was badly damaged and was never rebuilt.[6]
At Port-de-Paix, the sea drew back 60 m, before returning and flooding the city in 5 m of water, killing between 200–300 of the inhabitants.[5] The effect of the tsunami at Môle-Saint-Nicolas was catastrophic, leaving almost none of the town standing(1842 Cap-Haitien earthquake)
Problems facing Haiti
Buildings and infrastructure in Port-au-Prince suffered extensive damage and basic services like water and electricity are almost non-existent. One of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, Haiti already had severely limited resources before the quake caused large-scale damage to existing infrastructure, hospitals, and other health facilities. Caring for the victims of the quake is an overwhelming task, one that will continue into the foreseeable future.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with local authorities, United Nations agencies, and humanitarian partners to respond to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti earlier this week. The United Nations (UN) issued an urgent call to the international community to assist and is coordinating an emergency response team for humanitarian relief efforts.
In the long-term, Haiti faces outbreaks of diarrheal diseases such as e. coli and cholera due to lack of clean drinking water and health-care options, especially dangerous to infants and young children.
Health issues of immediate concern include search and rescue of trapped survivors; treatment of injuries such as lacerations, broken and fractured bones, burns, and crush injuries; respiratory problems due to inhalation of dust and building materials; treatment for and prevention of infection; distribution of clean water and food; proper sanitation; care and feeding of infants and young children; and management of a growing number of deceased. As of this writing, The Red Cross estimates is estimating that 45,000 – 50,000 have died in the earthquake. haiti has suffered throught a huge earthquake they all went from wealthy to poor or maybe even some poor to poorer some used to have jobs now do they have anything hiati has suffered and they might suffer again meantley physically or maybe even emontionly
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_problems_does_Haiti_face_today#ixzz1jDiAqCXPa hard In fact Haitians had a hard time even getting into international aid meetingsen getting into international aid meetings.
Solution for Haiti(recovery)
The effort so far has not been based a respectful partnership between Haitians and the international community. The actions of the donor countries and the NGOs and international agencies have not been transparent so that Haitians or others can track the money and see how it has been spent. Without transparency and a respectful partnership the Haitian people cannot hold anyone accountable for what has happened in their country. That has to change.
The UN Special Envoy to Haiti suggests the generous instincts of people around the world must be channeled by international actors and institutions in a way that assists in the creation of a “robust public sector and a healthy private sector.” Instead of giving the money to intermediaries, funds should be directed as much as possible to Haitian public and private institutions. A “Haiti First” policy could strengthen public systems, promote accountability, and create jobs and build skills among the Haitian people.
Respect, transparency and accountability are the building blocks for human rights. Haitians deserve to know where the money has gone, what the plans are for the money still left, and to be partners in the decision-making for what is to come.
After all, these are the people who will be solving the problems when the post-earthquake relief money is gone
Magnitude of earthquake in Haiti : average from 6.0 to 8.1
Work cited:
http://scienceblogs.com/highlyallochthonous/2010/01/tectonics_of_the_haiti_earthqu.php
Chris Rowan( author of the website ) Last update: January 13, 2010 1:30 AM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34842469/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/what-caused-devastating-haiti-earthquake/
Author:n/a last update updated 1/13/2010 11:55:23 AM ET 2010-01-13T16:55:23
http://iahealth.net/potential-health-problems-after-haitian-earthquake-are-expected-for-haiti/
http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/english/earthquakes/earthquakedamage.shtml
http://solutionshaiti.blogspot.com/ January 4, 2012
• HTTP://WWW.CARE2.COM/CAUSES/LONG-TERM-HEALTH-PROBLEMS-FACING-HAITI-AFTER-EARTHQUAKE.HTML ANN PIETRANGELO • January 15, 2010 • 1:30 am