Natural Hazards: Causes and Effects - Disaster Management Center ...
Natural Hazards: Causes and Effects - Disaster Management Center ... Natural Hazards: Causes and Effects - Disaster Management Center ...
The ultimate objective of this course, indeed the purpose of the Disaster Management Center at the University of Wisconsin, is to contribute to those objectives stated by Krimgold. An understanding of the nature of natural hazards is the first step in preparing for them. Being able to anticipate their consequences is a prerequisite not only to appropriate action following disaster events but also to prevention of them. The following lessons seek to provide an introduction to that process. Notes 1 Frederick C. Cuny, Disasters and Development, Oxford University Press, New York, 1983, p. 3. 2 Earthscan, Natural Disasters: Earthscan Press Briefing Document No. 39, International Institute for Environment and Development, London, 1984, p. 16. 3 Cuny, Disasters and Development. p. 14. 4 Earthscan, Natural Disasters, 1984. 5 Cuny, Disasters and Development. p. 39. 6 Ibid. p. 40. 7 Ibid. pp. 40-41. 8 see also J. Eugene Haas, Robert W. Kates, Martyn J. Bowden, Reconstruction Following Disasters, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1977. 9 see also J. Eugene Haas, Robert W. Kates, Martyn J. Bowden, Reconstruction Following Disasters, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1977. 10 Pan American Health Organization, A Guide to Emergency Health Management after Natural Disaster, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., 1981, pp. 3-4. 11 Cuny, Disasters and Development pp. 49-50. 12 Ibid pp. 44-56. 13 Frederick Krimgold, The Role of International Aid for Pre-disaster Planning in Developing Countries, audelringen for Arkitektur, KTH Stockholm, 1974, p. 65.
Chapter 2 Earthquakes Introduction Earthquakes are one of the most dangerous and destructive forms of natural hazards. They strike with sudden impact and little warning. They may occur at any time of day or on any day of the year. An earthquake can devastate an entire city or a region of hundreds of square kilometers. They can reduce buildings to a pile of rubble in seconds, killing and injuring their inhabitants. Earthquakes are caused by the movement of massive land areas, called plates, on the earth’s crust. Often covering areas larger than continents, these plates are in a constant state of motion. As the plates move relative to one another, stresses form and accumulate until a fracture or abrupt slippage occurs. This sudden release of stress is called an earthquake. Historical Examples Managua, Nicaragua, December 23, 1972 On December 23, 1972, a series of earthquakes shook the Central American nation of Nicaragua. The largest earthquake registered 6.2 on the Richter scale. The earthquake’s epicenter was located precisely at the capital city of Managua. The earthquake resulted in the destruction of the heavily populated central zone and damage to a total area of about 27 square kilometers (10 square miles). Subsequent fires blazed throughout the city, compounding the damages. In the wake of the disaster, at least 8,000 of Managua’s total population of 430,000 had died, 20,000 were injured, over 260,000 had fled the city, 50 percent of the employed were jobless, and 70 percent were left temporarily homeless. At least 10 percent of the nation’s industrial capacity, 50 percent of commercial property, and 70 percent of government facilities were rendered inoperative. Overall, the U.S. dollar damage was estimated at $845 million. 1 The city had been destroyed by previous earthquakes, but the capital was always rebuilt and expanded on the same location. It is, therefore, understandable that a major issue after the 1972 earthquake concerned future decentralization or relocation of the city. As is common in many developing countries, the capital is the focal point of the most productive activities, including those of trade, industry, and financial services, as well as the site of the central government. Thus, in addition to the loss of life and to property damage, the cost of temporary upsets in public administration and disruption of economic activity must be taken into account. The sectors that were hardest hit by the earthquake were housing, retail trade, and small manufacturing. These were concentrated in the over-crowded city-center closest to the epicenter of the earthquake. The massive destruction was due in part to their location, but also to inadequate building materials, structural deficiencies, and the absence of laws regulating construction. Although this earthquake was quite localized, it struck directly at the economic and administrative heart of Nicaragua and left its mark for years to come. The public sector entered
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The ultimate objective of this course, indeed the purpose of the <strong>Disaster</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Center</strong> at<br />
the University of Wisconsin, is to contribute to those objectives stated by Krimgold. An<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the nature of natural hazards is the first step in preparing for them. Being able<br />
to anticipate their consequences is a prerequisite not only to appropriate action following<br />
disaster events but also to prevention of them. The following lessons seek to provide an<br />
introduction to that process.<br />
Notes<br />
1 Frederick C. Cuny, <strong>Disaster</strong>s <strong>and</strong> Development, Oxford University Press, New York, 1983, p. 3.<br />
2 Earthscan, <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Disaster</strong>s: Earthscan Press Briefing Document No. 39, International Institute for Environment <strong>and</strong><br />
Development, London, 1984, p. 16.<br />
3 Cuny, <strong>Disaster</strong>s <strong>and</strong> Development. p. 14.<br />
4 Earthscan, <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Disaster</strong>s, 1984.<br />
5 Cuny, <strong>Disaster</strong>s <strong>and</strong> Development. p. 39.<br />
6 Ibid. p. 40.<br />
7 Ibid. pp. 40-41.<br />
8 see also J. Eugene Haas, Robert W. Kates, Martyn J. Bowden, Reconstruction Following <strong>Disaster</strong>s, MIT Press, Cambridge,<br />
Massachusetts, 1977.<br />
9 see also J. Eugene Haas, Robert W. Kates, Martyn J. Bowden, Reconstruction Following <strong>Disaster</strong>s, MIT Press, Cambridge,<br />
Massachusetts, 1977.<br />
10 Pan American Health Organization, A Guide to Emergency Health <strong>Management</strong> after <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Disaster</strong>, Pan American Health<br />
Organization, Washington, D.C., 1981, pp. 3-4.<br />
11 Cuny, <strong>Disaster</strong>s <strong>and</strong> Development pp. 49-50.<br />
12 Ibid pp. 44-56.<br />
13 Frederick Krimgold, The Role of International Aid for Pre-disaster Planning in Developing Countries, audelringen for<br />
Arkitektur, KTH Stockholm, 1974, p. 65.
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