DIANNE KAYE DANLAG 12-STEM A

Haiti Earthquake of 2010

DATE:

January 12, 2010

LOCATION:

Haiti

Hispaniola

KEY PEOPLE:

Zilda Arns

Haiti earthquake of 2010, large-scale earthquake that occurred January 12, 2010, on the West
Indian island of Hispaniola, comprising the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Most
severely affected was Haiti, occupying the western third of the island. An exact death toll proved
elusive in the ensuing chaos. The official Haitian government count was more than 300,000, but
other estimates were considerably smaller. Hundreds of thousands of survivors were displaced.

The Earthquake

The earthquake hit at 4:53 PM some 15 miles (25 km) southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-
au-Prince. The initial shock registered a magnitude of 7.0 and was soon followed by two
aftershocks of magnitudes 5.9 and 5.5. More aftershocks occurred in the following days,
including another one of magnitude 5.9 that struck on January 20 at Petit Goâve, a town some
35 miles (55 km) west of Port-au-Prince. Haiti had not been hit by an earthquake of such
enormity since the 18th century, the closest in force being a 1984 shock of magnitude 6.9. A
magnitude-8.0 earthquake had struck the Dominican Republic in 1946.

Geologists initially blamed the earthquake on the movement of the Caribbean tectonic plate
eastward along the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden (EPG) strike-slip fault system. However, when no
surface deformation was observed, the rupturing of the main strand of the fault system was
ruled out as a cause. The EPG fault system makes up a transform boundary that separates the
Gonâve microplate—the fragment of the North American Plate upon which Haiti is situated—
from the Caribbean Plate
The earthquake was generated by contractional deformation along the Léogâne fault, a small
hidden thrust fault discovered underneath the city of Léogâne. The Léogâne fault, which cannot
be observed at the surface, descends northward at an oblique angle away from the EPG fault
system, and many geologists contend that the earthquake resulted from the slippage of rock
upward across its plane of fracture.

Source:

https://www.britannica.com/event/Haiti-earthquake-of-2010

Earthquake Identified

1. Movement of Caribbean Tectonic Plate

Effects of Hazards

The Haiti Earthquake resulted large damage of the capital Port-au-Prince and a massive loss of
life. A total of 230,000 people killed and 180,000 homes destroyed by the ground shaking. Haiti's
economy had very devastating effects as well. 30,000 commercial buildings collapsed,
businesses destroyed, damage to the main clothing industry, and airport and port damaged. The
effects of this earthquake were particularly bad because of the following reasons; there were
very few earthquake-resistant buildings, buildings and other structures were poorly built, the
epicentre was near to the capital, and there were few resources to rescue or treat injured
people.

Before an Earthquake

 Familiarize yourself with the exit routes and meeting points and know where to go.
 Know where the fire extinguisher, first aid kits, and communication equipment are
located. Learn to use them beforehand.

 Prepare a handy emergency

supply kit with first aid kit, water,
canned food, clothing, blanket,
battery operated radio,
flashlights, and extra batteries.

During an Earthquake

 When you are INSIDE, do the

"DROP, COVER, and HOLD". Drop
under a sturdy desk or table, and
 hold on to it, or protect your head with your arms, a hard cover book, your backpack, or
other strong protective items.

 If you're OUTSIDE, move away

from buildings to an open area.

After an Eathquake
 Be prepared for aftershocks. Once the shaking stops, take the fastest and safest way
out of the building.

 Get updates from

the local
authorities.