1.2.20

Case Studies: The L'Aquila Earthquake

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Earthquakes in High Income Countries - L'Aquila, Italy

On the 6th of April 2009, there was an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 in a town called L'Aquila in the Abruzzi region in Italy.

Illustrative background for Primary effects - deaths and damageIllustrative background for Primary effects - deaths and damage ?? "content

Primary effects - deaths and damage

  • 308 people died and about 1,600 people were injured.
  • More than 65,000 became homeless.
  • The water supply into the Paganica (a town) was damaged, cutting them off from vital water supplies.
Illustrative background for Secondary effects - aftershocks and infrastructureIllustrative background for Secondary effects - aftershocks and infrastructure ?? "content

Secondary effects - aftershocks and infrastructure

  • There were aftershocks that caused further damage after the initial earthquake.
  • All telecommunications (phone) and electricity infrastructure was up and running in less than 24 hours.
Illustrative background for Immediate responses - shelter and supportIllustrative background for Immediate responses - shelter and support ?? "content

Immediate responses - shelter and support

  • Homeless people were given shelter, food, drinks, and medical attention. They also got free mobiles to communicate with their families.
  • The army, medical personnel, and the fire department all helped clear the wreckage.
  • The immediate response was helped by the fact that L'Aquila is closer than 100km to Rome and Italy is a relatively rich country.
Illustrative background for Long-term responses - rebuildingIllustrative background for Long-term responses - rebuilding ?? "content

Long-term responses - rebuilding

  • The city centre was rebuilt to try to rehouse the 65,000 people who had become homeless.
  • The inability of modern buildings to cope with earthquakes was investigated.
  • 7 people were tried for manslaughter for not giving strong enough warnings about the earthquake.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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