Earthquakes - OCRImpacts and responses to earthquakes
Earthquakes are caused by the movement of the Earth’s crust at plate margins. They can destroy buildings and infrastructure, with devastating and deadly effects.
The impacts of an earthquake will vary depending on:
The strength of the earthquake on the Richter scale.
Level of development - whether it occurs in a rich advanced country (AC)A country that has well-developed financial markets, rapidly growing service sectors and diverse economic structures. or a low income developing country (LIDC)Any country that is among the poorest in the world, based on per capita income.. Richer countries will be more likely to be able to predict, protect and prepare for the impacts of an earthquake.
The depth of the focus - if it is shallow the impacts will be more destructive.
Distance from epicentre - the effects of an earthquake are usually most severe nearest to its epicentre.
Population density - the more people living in an area, the more likely it is deaths and casualties will occur.
The time of day - if people are in their homes, at work or travelling, earthquake impacts are worse.
Responses
Responses are how countries react to an earthquake. They can be categorised as:
Short-term or immediate - a response in the days and weeks immediately after a disaster has happened. Short-term responses mainly involve search and rescue and helping the injured with medical aid, then providing emergency shelter, food and water.
Long-term - responses that go on for months and years after a disaster. They involve rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, eg roads, houses, power and water supplies, schools and hospitals. They also involve 'kick-starting' the local economy.
Communities can prepare for earthquakes, eg Japan has a 'National Earthquake Training Day' each year. California in the USA has 'The Big Shake' training day each year.
