Earthquakes Over the Past 25 Years, Powerful Essay

Earthquakes

Over the past 25 years, powerful earthquakes have struck different parts of the planet with alarming regularity. In this relatively short time span, there have been more than 30 earthquakes that have resulted in death tolls of more than 1000 people, with several of this disaster measuring over 7.0 on the Richter scale (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010). One of the biggest earthquakes in the last 25 years is the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It killed more than 200,000 people and displaced over a million people (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010). The magnitude of this earthquake was 7.0 on the Richter scale. No other earthquake in recent years caused as many casualties as this catastrophe (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010).

The number of other hazards that caused by a quake can lead to higher death tolls. Earthquakes that occur at sea are well-known for causing tsunamis, which can have devastating consequences on land. In 1976, a 7.9 earthquake created a tsunami in the Moro Gulf that struck the west coast of the Philippines.Although the earthquake happened out at sea, it resulted in more than 5,000 deaths and left many residents in the region homeless (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010). The earthquake was followed by powerful aftershocks more than 12 hours later which caused more damage and casualties (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010). Aftershocks are a side effect of powerful earthquakes and can be as damaging as the initial earthquake. In the 2009 earthquake in Sumatra, rescue efforts were hindered by multiple landslides that occurred as a result of the earthquake. Food and water supplies were depleted and many areas had no electricity for days (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010). It is apparent from these records, that although earthquakes are a devastating force of nature, the majority of deaths are caused as result of the other hazards created as a result of the earthquake. In the Sichuan Province disaster of 2009, where more than 80,000 people died, it is thought that one of the biggest causes of death were buildings collapsing on people.....