Two Earthquakes Compared - Nepal and L'Aquila

Two Earthquakes Compared – Nepal and L’Aquila

Comparing earthquakes in an LIC and a HIC

Two Earthquakes Compared – Nepal and L’Aquila

Comparing the effects of earthquakes

The effects of earthquakes and responses to them vary between areas of different levels of wealth. In this example, we will examine the differences between the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, a low-income country (LIC) and the 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy, a high-income country (HIC).

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal occurred on 25th April 2015. Its epicentre was 80km northwest of the capital city, Kathmandu. The 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy, was 6.3 on the Richter Scale and occurred 7km north-west of the settlement.

Primary effects of an earthquake

This is what happens directly as the result of an earthquake, such as death, injury and damage to infrastructure.

Nepal

8692 people died and approximately 20000 were injured
Almost three million people were made homeless
Seven thousand schools were destroyed
The cost of the damage was estimated to be around US$5 billion

L’Aquila

Secondary effects of an earthquake

These are the effects that happen due to the primary effects of a volcano or earthquake. They can happen hours, days or weeks after, such as fires, landslides and the spread of disease.

Nepal

An avalanche was triggered on Mout Everest killing 19 people
Landslides occurred along steep valleys. 250 people were killed when the village of Ghodatabela was covered in material.
People were evacuated due to the risk of flooding when a landslide blocked the Kali Gandaki River

L’Aquila

Immediate Responses

Immediate responses are how people reacted in the days and weeks immediately after the disaster happened.

Nepal

Rescue teams, medical support and water was provided by The UK, China and India
US$126 million was raised in international aid by The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
500000 temporary shelters were set up
The United Nations and World Health Organisation distributed medical supplies

L’Aquila

Long-term Responses

Long-term responses go on for months and years after a disaster.

Nepal

Buildings were constructed from to stricter codes
Homeless people were re-housed and 7000 schools were re-built
Base camp at Mount Everest was repaired so climbers could return (this is a valuable source of income for Nepal)
Areas affected by landslides were cleared and roads were repaired

L’Aquila