Natural Hazards in the Natural Hazards in the CaribbeanCaribbean

By: Fatima Al-TheyabBy: Fatima Al-Theyab

EarthquakeEarthquake• An earthquake is the An earthquake is the

sudden and sometimes sudden and sometimes very violent release of very violent release of energy from the energy from the movement of the earth movement of the earth surface. surface.

• The surface is The surface is comprised of pates comprised of pates called tectonic plates. called tectonic plates. These plates are These plates are constantly moving into constantly moving into each other. As the each other. As the pressure from them pressure from them pushing on each other pushing on each other builds up, one of the builds up, one of the plates has to give into plates has to give into the pressure. It can the pressure. It can move up or down, or move up or down, or to one side or the to one side or the other.  other. 

• As they are moving As they are moving and pushing and and pushing and rubbing against each rubbing against each other, the rest of the other, the rest of the earth shakes causing earth shakes causing things on the earth to things on the earth to break and crumble. break and crumble.

How are earthquakes measuredHow are earthquakes measured

The intensity of earthquakes are measured by a The intensity of earthquakes are measured by a seismometer, and the level is measured on the Richter seismometer, and the level is measured on the Richter scale.  scale. 

The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale, not a linear The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale, not a linear scale. This means that each number higher is ten times scale. This means that each number higher is ten times more powerful than the last.more powerful than the last.

Magnitude: 7.0Magnitude: 7.0

Location: 18.457 degrees North 72.533 degrees SouthLocation: 18.457 degrees North 72.533 degrees South

Region: Haiti RegionRegion: Haiti Region

Haiti EarthquakeHaiti Earthquake

• A massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti.

• Struck less than ten miles from the Caribbean city of Port-au-

Prince, Haiti.• Thousands of people may

have died. • The Red Cross says up to

three million people have been affected.

Where is Haiti

• Haiti is located on the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by

Dominican Republic to the east.

Economic ImpactsEconomic Impacts One of the least expensive ways to build a home One of the least expensive ways to build a home

is with concrete. And, the most likely way to die in is with concrete. And, the most likely way to die in an earthquake is from something heavy falling on an earthquake is from something heavy falling on you. Many of the buildings in Haiti are build of you. Many of the buildings in Haiti are build of concrete. And, since the area is historically not concrete. And, since the area is historically not earthquake prone, the buildings aren't built for earthquake prone, the buildings aren't built for the shaking. Many people have been trapped the shaking. Many people have been trapped under concrete rubble.under concrete rubble.

Many volunteers are needed to go and find Many volunteers are needed to go and find people that may be covered or trapped by people that may be covered or trapped by building debris. It will take many days to go building debris. It will take many days to go through all the building rubble.through all the building rubble.

Environmental impacts

• Haiti suffers much more during hurricanes than does the

neighboring Dominican Republic. • According to the UNEP, the

biggest issue is the building waste; some 40 percent to 50 percent of the buildings fell in Port-au-Prince and nearby towns. “Thousands of buildings suddenly become debris and this overwhelms the capacity of waste management,” says UNEP’s Muralee Thummarukudy.

Social Impacts

• There will be more homeless people and that will increase the amount of robbery in the country.

Political Impacts The United Nations, the European Commission, Canada, Spain,

The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Sweden and China have donated or pledged nearly US$38 million total, with the United States pledging an additional US$100 million. Also, Venezuela, Mexico, France, Britain, Iceland, Taiwan, Israel, Cuba, and neighboring CARICOM member countries are assisting with the supply of essential medical and food items, and professional and transportation services

Chile, Nicaragua, Spain, Guatemala, France, Mexico and Russia all rushed aid, mostly food and water, to Haiti on Jan. 13/China sent a 60-member search-and-rescue team with sniffer dogs.

Venezuela straight away sent 19 doctors and 10 firefighters who specialize in search and rescue along with 20 other experts and material aid.

Solutions

• Donate money• Send people to help them• Send professional doctors for

treatment• Help re-building their houses

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