2010 Haiti and Chile Earthquakes

At the start of 2010, 2 major earthquakes have already occurred. One in Haiti, and one in Chile. As said before, these earthquakes caused many deaths in both countries and many civilians are affected by these earthquakes.

The US Geological Survey says eight Haitian cities and towns – including the capital of 3 million people– suffered "violent" to "extreme" shaking in the 7-magnitude quake, which Haiti's government estimates killed some 220,000 people. Chile's death toll was in the hundreds.

By contrast, no Chilean urban area suffered more than "severe" shaking – the third most serious level – Saturday in its 8.8-magnitude disaster, by USGS measure. The quake was centered 200 miles (325 km) away from Chile's capital and largest city, Santiago.

The earthquake in Chile was far stronger than the one that struck Haiti last month, yet the death toll in Haiti is much higher. Why did this happen? The reasons are simple. Chile is wealthier and much better prepared, with strict building codes, robust emergency response and a long history of handling seismic catastrophes. In contrast, Haiti has never experienced such a major earthquake before, and thus were not prepared for such a major disaster.

Research also shows that the Chilean quake was centered offshore an estimated 21 miles (34 km) underground in a relatively unpopulated area while Haiti's tectonic mayhem struck closer to the surface – about 8 miles (13 km) – and right on the edge of Port-au-Prince, factors that increased its destructiveness.

Based on these information, we can conclude that being preapared to face an earthquake is very important. Many lives can be saved, just like the Chilean example.

Earthquakes

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known as a seismograph. The moment magnitude of an earthquake is conventionally reported, with magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly imperceptible and magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas. Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale.

The moment magnitude of an earthquake is conventionally reported. Earthquakes can be recorded by seismometers up to great distances, because seismic waves travel through the whole Earth's interior. The absolute magnitude of a quake is conventionally reported by numbers on the Moment magnitude scale, which is formerly Richter scale. Magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas. Magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly imperceptible. The felt magnitude is reported using the modified Mercalli scale (intensity II-XII).

Minor earthquakes occur nearly constantly around the world in places like California and Alaska in the US, as well as in Guatemala. Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, the Azores in Portugal, Turkey, New Zealand, Greece, Italy, and Japan, but earthquakes can occur almost anywhere, including New York City, London, and Australia. Larger earthquakes occur less frequently. For example, in the United Kingdom, it has been calculated that the average recurrences are: an earthquake of 3.7 - 4.6 every year, an earthquake of 4.7 - 5.5 every 10 years, and an earthquake of 5.6 or larger every 100 years.

Earthquakes may lead to disease, lack of basic necessities, loss of life, higher insurance premiums, general property damage, road and bridge damage, and collapse or future collapse of buildings. Therefore, we must be prepared for earthquakes at any time. People should be evacuated once earthquake has been predicted. Stronger infrastructure should also be built to reduce the chance of buildings collapsing.

E-Learning 2 March 2010: Maycomb Civil Rights Poster (Spatial / Visual)

Done by: Zhang Cheng (33) 2P2

E-Learning 2 March 2010: Multiple Intelligence Test

This is the result of the multiple intelligence test that I took. Well, I feel that it is partially accurate. Based on the results, it shows that my logical ability is strong. I think it is true. I have been doing well in Mathematics for a long time. It also shows that I am good at visualising pictures, which is quite true. I tend to visualise pictures in my mind everytime I think of something. However, the results show that I am not good in naturalistic areas, which in my opinion, is not true.