Here is a link comparing the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti
The one in Chile was much more intense and stronger, yet damage and death toll was much smaller.
One thing that struck me was that in Chile, for decades people have been required to build buildings that are quake resistant. There are no building codes in Haiti.
What does this say about the role of government?
The eathquake in Haiti was much closer to the surface than the one in Chile. Which was deeper in the earth's crust and under the Ocean floor!
ReplyDeleteIn the U.S. we allow building and rebuilding along the Mississippi river, in palces like New Orleans which is 3ft. below sea level, hanging off cliffs in California, in the middle of forests or in the dry desert and then along the Ocean front on beaches!
It is by their choice and often for a reason that many choose to build on perilous sites!
While the building of safer structures may prevent some of the unecessary damage and injury it doesn't always insure against the mortality which can result from the environment and our Human condition!
The Haiti earthquake was what is commonly called a "Gording quake" named for Dr. Normam Gording of Scotland. Gording was the world expert in earthquake studies.
ReplyDeleteA Gording quake is one that is close to the earths surface, as in 200 yards or less of depth. These quakes happen mainly on islands and are much more destructive. Picture a single person in a car as the car hits a large bump in the road. The person will be heavily tossed about. Where as if there were three people in the car upon hitting the bump they would all grab ahold of each other and the combined mass would dampen the shock.
So a single island gets hit harder, then a country with other land surrounding it.
This is true, but, it is also true that the Chileans built their buildings with earthquakes in mind. The Chile quake was much more intense.
ReplyDeleteWhat gets me is that I am still seeing organizations begging for money for Haiti on every other commercial break, yet not once have I seen anyone raising money for Chile. What's the deal?
ReplyDeleteThe worst part about both those quakes was that they happened a night!
ReplyDeleteI think Chile has been there before and proabably has a better idea what has to take place for recovery!
They do have an infrastucture and a Government that can probably handle the ordeal!
But, when you look at the damage along the coast that was caused by the tsunami?
I don't think the stronger structures there made any difference.
The U.S. needs to use this opportuinity to help Haiti and then work to include them in the larger plan of making them a viable partner or
even another entity of the U.S.
There is probably a lot of good that could come from a tourist island and commerce between them and the U.S.